“A broken-down truck, unexpected waste to handle, a factory at risk of shutting down… You have to be able to react quickly!”

Sophie, how did you end up at Séché Environnement?

I have a master’s degree in chemistry, and it was this background that opened the doors to the environmental sector for me. I first worked for a competitor, where I learned about managing large industrial contracts. Séché Environnement was one of my suppliers. One thing led to another, ties were formed, and in 2013, I took the plunge. What convinced me was the group’s human scale, its family-like atmosphere, and my desire for a new challenge. It’s been nearly thirteen years—and I have no regrets.

What exactly is the Global Offer?

It involves taking full responsibility for waste management on behalf of an industrial client. We operate directly within their facility with a dedicated team, managing the entire process from start to finish—collection, sorting, recycling, transportation, subcontractors... The goal: to allow the client to focus on their core business while we handle optimizing everything related to waste.

What skills does this role require?

That’s exactly what makes it so exciting: the range of responsibilities is vast! You have to master regulations, know how to buy and sell, have a business sense, but also manage teams and be uncompromising when it comes to the safety measures put in place to protect our operators. Furthermore, each client’s production can change from one day to the next, so yesterday’s solutions must be reevaluated. There’s no time to get bored!

Can there be “ hot flashes "?

Sometimes you have to know how to react quickly. An absent employee, a broken-down truck, unexpected waste to handle—these things happen. And the consequences can be severe: in the pharmaceutical industry, for example, if we stop collecting waste, the entire plant could shut down. It’s never happened to me, but it shows just how critical the issue of waste is for a manufacturer. We have significant responsibilities, but fortunately, we never work alone: we rely on a team and on the group’s support functions—purchasing, safety, sales, R&D… There’s a real culture of feedback at Séché Environnement.

What are you most proud of?

Client recognition. When I handed over contracts to my colleagues, several clients sincerely thanked me for the work I had done. When you consider the bonds we build over time, those moments are genuine. That’s what gives it meaning.

Since early 2025, you have moved into the Technical Management role. What does this new role entail?

I am now the Technical Lead for the Global Offer. I provide support to operations engineers for all technical, equipment, and regulatory issues, particularly regarding the transport of hazardous materials—for which I also serve as a safety advisor and trainer. This new role allows me to share what I’ve learned in the field.

You compete in running at a very high level. Can you tell us more?

In December 2024, I competed in the World 100 km Road Championships in India, representing the French national team—with a qualifying time of 7:51. It was a goal I’d been pursuing for several years. Balancing this level of athletic competition with a full-time job and family life requires flawless organization. But my family has always been there: my children provide me with support during races, and my husband is my behind-the-scenes manager. It’s also a shared adventure.

What does sports bring to your work?

Autonomy and discipline—two qualities I find in both worlds. Over 100 km, you’re on your own with your training plan. When dealing with an industrial client, you have to respond quickly and effectively. The two feed off each other. And in both cases, the role of the team is crucial.

A final word for candidates who might be hesitant to join the sector?

The world of waste is anything but what you might imagine. It’s complex, diverse, and constantly evolving. You’ll be involved in your clients’ production processes, optimizing workflows, and managing teams and equipment. I used to be a chemist—I never saw myself in this field at all at first. And yet, thirteen years later, I’m never bored for a single second.