In this interview, we meet Stéphane, Project Manager in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the CIS Group. He shares his career path, the stakes of a recently renewed strategic contract, the concrete actions implemented on site, and the daily challenges he faces to ensure top-quality service and an outstanding client relationship.

Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

I’m Stéphane, currently Project Manager on one of our sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). I’ve progressed within the CIS Group as Production Manager, then Camp Boss, Logistics Manager, and Operations Director. After gaining experience outside the company, I chose to return to CIS, a company I never truly lost contact with.

My main missions: ensuring client satisfaction, reimplementing CIS processes for smoother operations, and of course, working toward the renewal of this strategic contract for the Group.

We successfully renewed one of our contracts—what were the stakes of this contract in the DRC?

This renewal was crucial for CIS. It was about extending a strong client relationship while ensuring consistent support. There were two main challenges: guaranteeing continuity and service quality, and maintaining a close relationship with our client. Monitoring operations is key, but so is on-site presence and attentiveness.

What concrete actions did you take to ensure the quality of our services in this operation?

We reviewed the menu plans, organized themed evenings during events (shawarma, paella, homemade dishes made with fresh local products). We also made sure to maintain clear and regular communication with the client to embed our approach within a continuous improvement process.

“Ensuring service quality also means building a real connection with the client and the families on site.”

What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

The main challenge was succeeding a well-liked predecessor who had left a positive legacy. I had to take over operations using methods aligned with the Group’s directives.

Another major challenge was launching a new kitchen with a restaurant on site, which required precision, coordination, and commitment.

What feedback did you receive from the client and our residents on site?

The feedback was excellent, both from the client and the residents. They appreciated our constant presence on the ground, our proactivity, and our responsiveness to their needs.

Any message you’d like to share with the CIS community?

Nothing is ever truly lost. If you have doubts or face challenges, don’t hesitate to reach out to the support teams at headquarters—they are always available and responsive. You’re not alone. A special word of thanks to our Zone Director, whose support was invaluable during the renewal of this contract.