07/12/2020 - Careers
Now Director of Strategic Planning, Mathieu Beaujon has been working at Serimax, our specialized welding subsidiary, for twelve years now — which has given him the opportunity to see the world and explore our business lines.How did you come to work for Vallourec?
I was already working for Serimax when it was acquired by Vallourec ten years ago. As a young engineer, what drew me to Serimax was its extensive international reach, its dynamism, its employees, and its industrial creativity. As with Vallourec, technological advances were part of the foundation of the company, and this DNA is still present. It's essential for doing well in the metallurgy business, and for continuing to support our customers.
What has your career been like at Vallourec?
First I studied materials engineering at the École Polytechnique de l'Université de Nantes, where I specialized in metallurgy and welding. As you might expect, it's a fairly niche degree, since there are only two schools that offer it in France — and the best of them is of course right here at Serimax! (laughter)My career path shows all the potential ways you can advance in the Group. Even though I have a background as a specialist engineer, I was able to hold many different positions.
Mathieu Beaujon Director of Strategic Planning at Serimax
You've worked in quite a few countries: France, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia… What cultural differences have you noticed?
When you work in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, there's no one culture, there's a mosaic of cultures. It's also essential to know how to adapt to the various personalities in our own offices, given how much of a mishmash they can be.You are the Director of Strategic Planning. What does that mean?
This position implies driving the preparation of the strategic plan, under the guiding of Serimax’s Directorship (Mickaël Dolou, Marketing, Business Development & contracting Director, and Guillaume Graindor, Operations Director), to monitor and measure the ensuing strategic actions and to steer initiatives directly, either by defining or implementing them, which will be transferred to regions once they reach maturity.What are your interests outside of work?
My free time has dwindled over the years, as my family has grown from one country to another. Right now, my children are discovering the French winter, and are already sleeping with their snow boots on.What advice would you give to young people today?
It's natural to have questions when you want to leave everything behind to go someplace else. But if there's one lesson to take away, it's that you have to create and seize opportunities, instead of living with regrets. Be bold and go for it!