My name is Charlotte MOULONGUET, and I’ve been the Operational Unit Manager (DUO) at the SNCF technical center in Trappes for a year. The technical center consists of 200 employees divided into teams according to their profession (electrician, troubleshooter, brake specialist, train movement agent, etc.). We carry out the maintenance and upkeep of trains for Transilien and TER.

My role revolves around 3 main missions:

1. Supervising the team leaders of the technical center: annual reviews, monitoring their results, support during difficult situations, team leadership;

2. Monitoring the unit’s results (safety, availability, reliability, cost…) and implementing action plans for improvement;

3. Researching and implementing solutions to improve the unit’s organization or the quality of work life for employees.

Like many young people in high school, I wasn’t exactly sure which career to pursue after my studies. Since I enjoyed science, I chose to pursue an engineering path. I entered the École polytechnique after 2 years of preparatory classes. At the end of my training, I did an internship at SNCF (French National Railway Company) in the Transilien Operational Center, which manages the entire transport plan for lines N and U. I was then hired as an operational manager at the Montrouge technical center. After a year, I was offered the opportunity to progress to this DUO position.

So I arrived at SNCF without knowing the railway sector. I learned everything on the job, and today my youth is an asset because I bring a fresh perspective on practices and processes. I can rely on very experienced colleagues for all technical matters and bring something new to the management side! To lead teams, I believe that both high standards and kindness are essential. To enter an unfamiliar sector, you need a lot of curiosity and humility. It’s also valuable to have good analytical skills to step back from situations and find solutions for improvement.

Speaking of progress, we are challenged daily to successfully run enough trains to cover the transport plan. We recently had to put back into service a train that had derailed and had been set aside due to significant damage. We had to mobilize all teams around this great challenge: to make a train that had been so damaged run again. Thanks to everyone’s work and the support of the engineering team, the train was able to leave our site after a few months to another technical center that will complete the repair!

On a more personal level, my main challenge in my first position was to understand in a few weeks the company’s operations and culture, the organization of train maintenance, and the general functioning of a train. I also had to find my place at the Montrouge site. Despite a few headaches at the end of the day, little by little things fell into place and I was able to fully perform my role!

Today, I’m truly fulfilled in this job that meets my aspirations: a hands-on profession, in daily contact with the women and men who make production happen. I also have real autonomy and levers to move my unit forward. Finally, I’m sensitive to the fact that I’m working for a public service that has a real positive impact on the environment!

Indeed, rail is the most environmentally friendly way to travel medium and long distances! In addition to this, the technical center is concerned about its environmental impact: a lot of work is done on energy consumption and waste sorting, for example. I have also appointed an environmental representative for each team who acts as a relay within their team on these issues, so that awareness spreads to everyone.

I realize that people know little about the great diversity of jobs in this sector! We often think of drivers and signal operators, but much less about all the other professions: maintenance, work management, engineering, customer relations, management, liaison with regions or the State… These are professions that are both highly technical and deeply human!

So if you too are in a situation where you don’t know which sector to pursue or reorient yourself towards, I advise you to go and talk to people who are working and if possible see them in the field to really understand their daily lives. Also listen to what resonates with you. Don’t be influenced by traditional career paths and really think about what you want deep down!

Outside of work, I enjoy outdoor sports: hiking, running, skiing. My husband and I are also involved with the youth of our Catholic parish.

To conclude, I’d like to share this quote that helps me not to get discouraged when facing certain challenges:

Article written by Monika T.

photo credits: ©SNCFcommunicationLignesNU

Charlotte MOULONGUET: Working at SNCF is also working to reduce carbon footprint