Success story · January 2026
Production Management (Interim Production Manager) as a driving force for efficiency and safety in the industrial chemicals sector.
A six-month project to lead operational transformation and ensure excellence in plant management in line with international standards.
Client and sector: Our client, a leading multinational company in the chemicals sector with its Spanish headquarters in Catalonia, was in need of executive leadership for its production plant. The organisation required someone capable of taking charge of day-to-day operations immediately, ensuring business continuity, improving production processes, and working in perfect alignment with the group’s demanding global standards.
The situation / need: The organisation was facing a critical challenge: the need to immediately lead and oversee a complex plant, with more than 40 staff working across different shifts, whilst ensuring that orders were produced as planned and in strict compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations. They required executive leadership with a strong sense of accountability, capable of optimising resources and implementing process improvement plans using Lean Manufacturing.
The EPUNTO approach and solution (the methodology): EPUNTO swiftly deployed an Interim Manager (Production Manager) from our pool of executive talent, with solid experience in chemical processes and industrial process management. For six months, the executive took on full responsibility for the plant, reporting to senior management and integrating into the organisation to stabilise and boost production.
Under the supervision and mentorship of Juan Manuel Gil de Escobar Delgado, Partner at EPUNTO, the project focused on:
- Operational optimisation: Improving production methods, management control, and executive management focused on customer service and internal productivity, in close coordination with the supply chain and maintenance departments.
- Safety and quality culture: Ensuring compliance with the stringent industrial regulations in force, leading incident analysis and corrective actions.
- Talent management: Implementing a robust personnel management process for both administrative and operational staff, ensuring optimal integration and engagement with the key objectives.
Frequently asked questions
What was the main challenge in this project?
The challenge was to lead the operational transition of a chemical plant in Catalonia, ensuring compliance with strict international safety and quality standards in a high-pressure production environment. A ‘plug-and-play’ executive was required who could manage a team of 40 people from day one, improving processes and management in coordination with the group’s international operations.
Why was an interim manager chosen rather than a traditional consultancy firm?
Speed and technical expertise were critical. The client required a candidate with proven experience in chemical processes and Lean Manufacturing who could deliver measurable results from day one and within the short term (6 months). A traditional recruitment process would have left the plant without leadership for several months, exposing it to unacceptable operational risks.
What was the most significant impact during the first 90 days?
In the first quarter, our Interim Manager succeeded in improving internal processes, streamlining production planning, aligning in-house resources and productivity with the order book, and strengthening the safety culture through a thorough root-cause analysis of processes, thereby ensuring full compliance with industry standards.
How did EPUNTO ensure the transfer of knowledge at the end of the mission?
Our methodology included a structured handover plan in which the Interim Manager documented all the actions taken and improvement procedures, ensuring that the improvements in Lean Manufacturing and in internal industrial and HR-related processes would be sustainable in the long term.
What unique feature did EPUNTO bring to this solution?
A swift response and the assurance of ongoing support. Not only did we provide a senior expert in the chemicals sector in under two weeks, but our Partner’s direct supervision ensured that the assignment remained consistently aligned with the client’s strategic objectives, thereby mitigating any risk of disruption.
