Think big and look further !

Henry Cabrera
Senior Director Manufacturing & Distribution, Arbonne, USA

Can you tell us about what you do at Groupe Rocher and your background, along with the qualities and skills you need to do your job? 

My job is to ensure operational efficiency and deliver excellent services to our consultants. I serve as a team manager overseeing around 120 people across various functions, including manufacturing, distribution, operations support, transportation, facilities maintenance, and EHS (environment, health, and safety).

To succeed in this role, I need a deep understanding of operational processes and the ability to be agile, as business needs regularly change. Management skills are also crucial, given the size and professional diversity of my team.

I've been with Arbonne for 15 years, starting as a temporary employee on the warehouse floor. I quickly recognized unlimited career opportunities here and transitioned into a new role every two years. Each position provided me with hands-on experience and allowed me to take on new responsibilities. I've worked in various capacities within supply, manufacturing, and distribution. I also completed my bachelor’s degree while working at Arbonne and hold a diploma in operations.

 

How has the group supported you in your learning and what concrete actions have been most useful to you?

The learning environment here feels organic. Since Groupe Rocher acquired Arbonne in 2018, we have seen significant growth in learning and skills development. For instance, I went to France in 2019 for a learning expedition to explore the group’s manufacturing and supply processes, which helped me integrate those practices within Arbonne effectively.

Many of my friends often express that they lack development opportunities with their employers, but I continue to learn and grow every year.

I highly value the experiential learning I receive on the job. To enhance it I’ve attended numerous professional seminars to refine my knowledge in various areas, such as lean practices. And although schools provide useful concepts, hands-on experience is invaluable.

Formal learning also plays a significant role in my development. We have external lecturers who come to our sites to conduct certifying classes, and I find the Arbonne e-learning modules to be exceptionally beneficial.

 

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to go further with their learning? 

Always keep the big picture in mind; don’t get too caught up in just the "now". Think big and look further.