Interview with Franck Lechtanski, Product Manager

Who is behind Cover group? This summer, we invite you to get to know the members of our team. Franck Lechtanski, our product manager, took the time to answer our questions: his career path, his experience at Cover group and much more. Continue reading to find out more…

Quickly introduce yourself

My name is Franck Lechtanski, product manager at Cover group. Within the company, I could be described as a “Swiss Army knife” because of my different roles. I’m passionate about music and have played in a band for a long time as a bass player. Now I continue to play music for my own pleasure.

Tell us a little about your career path: how long have you been working at Cover group and what do you like best about the company?

I graduated from school with a BTS in wood production, development and industrialisation options. I originally trained as a cabinetmaker. This is still in the general carpentry trade but has nothing to do with the sector in which I subsequently worked (conservatories, doors, windows, etc.).

I started my professional life as an aluminium conservatory designer for 7 years at Vie et Véranda, which is a current Cover group customer. I was in charge of the technical part of the design. After that, I was a salesman for 3 years with a dealer who was one of their subsidiaries. I then carried out my first parameterisation missions at XAO Présence. This company was a Cover group partner at the time. It offered Cover 3D software to its customers. Shortly afterwards, I was asked to join the Cover group team, which I accepted.

What I have always liked about Cover group is the search for solutions, which I am lucky enough to find in my daily life. I also appreciate what goes on upstream: the contact with customers, understanding their products, trying to find technical solutions to integrate their product into our software, … whether it be at the level of configuration, support or follow-up.

I started at Cover group as a parameteriser then, after training as a “product owner”, I was responsible for monitoring projects and finally became a product manager.

What does your job involve?

My daily work is divided into several distinct parts.

The first is to continue to set parameters. I enter the data from the technical catalogues into the software. This mission is still a big part of my work today.

The second is the role of product manager for all aspects of project follow-up. I analyse our customers’ requests, what they need and how the team can help them. I always keep an eye on what the team is doing throughout the project. And once each project is completed, I test it before delivery.

The third is training and technical support related to the setup. Being qualified as a joinery expert, it is easier for me to help our customers and our teams in this area.

What would be the ups and downs?

One of the big advantages of this job, in my opinion, is that each project is unique and therefore has its own specificities. Even though the work might seem repetitive, it is a living profession. The disadvantage would be the search for alternative solutions which is, in certain cases, difficult and time-consuming.

What are the qualities you need to work as a product manager?

One of the prerequisites is to have a good knowledge of the joinery trade. Even if you have to have a certain sensitivity to computers, a good programmer, in general, is a good technician, not necessarily a good computer scientist.

I would add that you need to have patience because it’s a job that requires a lot of concentration. You also need to be able to stand back and ask yourself the right questions.

And finally, you need to know how to work as a team. Involving your colleagues simply makes it easier to find a solution.

3 words to describe Cover group

Innovation, listening to customers and team spirit.