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Project Manager in Marine Applications - Secondary Education
My name is Lisa Puel, and I am a 25-year-old living in Lyon, France. After high school, I studied mechanical engineering at university for 2 years, culminating in a 3-month placement at Cummins France. I then began an engineering school (specialising in production management) as an apprentice. I was working on continuous improvements at the Cummins France upfit centre in the meantime. The Cummins France upfit centre delivers engines and gensets from Cummins engine plants, adding specific options to adapt to customer requirements. I am now Project Manager for Marine Europe at Cummins.
Meet the professional
I am the Project Manager for the Marine Europe division at Cummins. Cummins produces engines and gensets for marine applications, including fishing boats, cruise ships, and yachts. Once the sales manager has sold engines or gensets to a customer, I ensure that the provided solution meets the customer’s needs, is technically feasible, and is delivered on time and within budget. I ensure the engine integrates well with the vessel and operates properly. I explain to the sales representative responsible for engine sales how everything works so that they can provide the right information to the customer. I verify that the engine is built, tested, and delivered to the customer on time. I must have knowledge of mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and programming to understand all technical aspects of the product. I also assist a development engineer in creating new solutions for the marine market.
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Skills
Problem-Solving
Projects rarely go perfectly. Delays, missing parts, or design changes require quick thinking and action. For example, if an engine is damaged during transport, I initiate the process to ensure a technician resolves the issue and the shipping company is notified.
Operation Monitoring
I manage schedules, documents, meetings, and deadlines to ensure everything runs smoothly. For example, I track the delivery dates provided by the engine plant to make sure the engine arrives on time and meets all requirements.
Collaboration
Clear communication is key to avoiding confusion. I explain technical topics in simple terms and adapt my language depending on who I’m speaking to—for example, using technical terms with engineers and part numbers with the supply chain team.
Customer Relationship Management
As the main point of contact, I build trust, manage expectations, and handle challenges. For example, when an issue arises, I support the customer by finding solutions and presenting a clear action plan.
Delegating Tasks
I assign tasks based on each team member’s expertise and follow up on progress. For example, after receiving a customer’s parts list, I coordinate with the supply chain team to place orders and track delivery timelines.
Curiosity
Curiosity helps me better understand customers and improve project outcomes. For each new project, I research the customer’s market and facilities to identify their needs and constraints.
Advice to take away
My advice is to stay curious and keep an open mind. This will help you to discover new things, learn new skills and communicate with people. My job is common in large companies, so they can easily offer you a placement within a project team. Project management is also a core course in engineering schools, so that you can reach out to engineering students for more details.
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Disclaimer
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Also supported by Scientix®, an initiative of European Schoolnet.