Meet Stephane Renaud, Senior Sales Manager, Fiber Packaging
Stephane Renaud joined Huhtamaki in 1998. Today, based in La Rochelle, France, Stephane works as a Senior Sales Manager in the Fiber segment.
Starting in production, Stephane helped shape the methods department before becoming a production manager. Early on, he discovered the power of combining data, efficiency, and teamwork to drive results.
Growing by embracing change
In 2006, Stephane made a bold move from production into sales, broadening his perspective and working more closely with customers. With the trust and support to take on something new, he continued to grow.
“It was important to understand the numbers,” he says, “but the real value comes from using them to make better decisions and drive improvement.”
Supported to grow and lead
Looking back, Stephane credits continuous learning, and an environment that encourages it, as key to his journey. At Huhtamaki, having the opportunity and support to move across functions allowed him to build a broad understanding of the business and grow into leadership over time.
Stephane now plays an active role in supporting the development of sister sites by sharing his expertise and leadership skills. In addition to his Sales Manager role in La Rochelle, he recently completed a 12-month assignment overseeing commercial operations at Franeker.
The ability to leverage expertise across countries and sites, with colleagues stepping in to support one another when needed, is one of Huhtamaki’s strengths. This collaborative approach helps strengthen our teams, share best practices and deliver better business outcomes together.
Advice for new colleagues
For Stephane, leadership is about both setting direction and creating space for others to contribute. “As a leader, it’s important to set the standard,” he says, “but it’s just as important to create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas and learning from each other.”
“Stay curious and open to new experiences,” Stephane says. “That’s how you keep growing.”