An 11-month project to ensure local control, lead the transition to group processes, and overcome resistance to change in an international environment.
Client and Sector: Our client, a leading international company in the industrial sector specializing in packaging and circular economy solutions, needed to immediately strengthen the structure of its production plant in Portugal. In a context of strong growth and standardization of global processes, the organization required a financial professional capable of acting as a bridge between local operations and group guidelines.
The Situation / Need (The Pain): The organization faced a critical challenge: the need to professionalize its local financial management to align it with the parent company's international standards. The challenge was not only technical but also cultural: it required executive leadership capable of defining processes from scratch, ensuring regulatory compliance, and, above all, managing the local team's resistance to change in order to achieve full buy-in to the new work methodology.
The Approach and the Solution EPUNTO (The Methodology):
Thanks to our international alliance Valtus AllianceEPUNTO coordinated a cross-border solution in less than two weeks. We activated a senior Interim Manager specializing in international financial management to assume the position of Interim CFO onsite.
Under the supervision of Juan Manuel Gil de EscobarAs a partner of EPUNTO, the project focused on implementing a monthly group reporting system, optimizing working capital, and creating a robust internal control environment. The Interim Manager not only managed day-to-day administration but also acted as a transformation agent, integrating into the local management team to ensure a smooth and sustainable transition.
Partner responsible for the project
Some questions and answers
What was the main challenge in this project?
The challenge was to professionalize the finance function of an industrial plant in a constantly changing environment. An executive was needed with the ability to implement international control and reporting processes while managing the local culture to overcome internal resistance, ensuring immediate solutions without a learning curve.
Why was an Interim Manager chosen instead of a traditional consulting firm?
Speed and specialization were critical. The client needed a "plug and play" profile with experience in international environments and the ability to make an immediate impact. Opting for Interim Management allowed them to have an overqualified executive in place within days, guaranteeing measurable results throughout the 11-month assignment.
What was the most significant impact in the first 90 days?
In the first quarter, our Interim Manager successfully stabilized monthly reporting to the group and established the foundations for local budget control. This enabled corporate management to have complete visibility into the plant's KPIs, improving strategic decision-making.
How did EPUNTO ensure knowledge transfer at the end of the mission?
Our methodology includes a structured exit plan. The Interim Manager documented all new local administration and finance processes and mentored the internal team to ensure that the implemented improvements were sustainable and that the transition to the permanent structure was seamless.
What differentiating factor did EPUNTO contribute to this solution?
The international responsiveness through Valtus Alliance and the precision in profile selection. We provided a CFO who not only mastered financial regulations but also possessed the soft skills necessary to lead change in a specific geographical location (Portugal), aligning local interests with the group's global objectives.