François Guilbaud - Interim Transformation Manager

Q: Where is François based?

François is based in Paris, France and can operate in on-site , hybrid , and remote work models.

Q: What languages does François speak?

François speaks the following languages: French (Native), English (Advanced) .

Q: How many years of experience does François have?

François has at least 28 years of experience. During this time, François has worked in at least 4 different roles and for 4 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 7 years . Note that François may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is François's latest experience?

François's most recent position is Independant Consultant – Working Capital optimization at FGU Consult .

Q: What companies has François worked for in recent years?

In recent years, François has worked for FGU Consult .

Q: Which industries is François most experienced in?

François is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing , Automotive , and Chemical . François also has some experience in Utilities , Agriculture , and Construction .

Q: Which business areas is François most experienced in?

François is most experienced in business areas like Finance , Operations , and Information Technology . François also has some experience in Strategy , Sales , and Project Management .

Q: Which industries has François worked in recently?

François has recently worked in industries like Education , Energy , and Manufacturing .

Q: Which business areas has François worked in recently?

François has recently worked in business areas like Accounting , Finance , and Information Technology .

Recommended expert

Paris, France

Check rate

Experience

Jun 2023 - Present

3 years 3 months

Independant Consultant – Working Capital optimization

FGU Consult

Client 1 (Mid-Cap / Industrial sub-contracting / Southern France)
Rapid diagnostic delivery over 3 topics including cash collection, for a multi-site industrial group with over €100M turnover
Implementation of recommendations, including procedure revamping, specifications and installation of an IT software (My DSO Manager), together with a cash collection provider as well as Finance and IT client teams
Client 2 (CAC 40 / Energy – Utilities / Paris)
PMO for the implementation of a cash collection and credit risk software
Project management including Credit Management, IT department and Purchasing => specifications preparation, assistance with IT tool selection, final choice and implementation
Client 3 (PE backed / Education / Paris)
Transition management of a team of 15 people (over 5 sites) involved in invoicing and cash collection
Formalization of issue reports and assistance with improvement implementation (responsibilities, processes and systems, especially MY DSO)

May 2012 - Oct 2020

8 years 6 months

Director, Working Capital improvement (Inventory, AR and AP)

PwC Advisory

Selling and delivery of advisory assignments (typically diagnosis and implementation assistance, enabling within a few weeks the identification of improvement potential and then, within a few months, additional cash generation
Customer types: corporates (listed or not), PE-backed entities
Sector and country focus: chemicals, airport equipment, leisure, utilities, car repair, ... ; France, Belgium, Netherlands, Great Britain, Cameroon, United Arab Emirates, United States,
Examples of assignments: implementation of tools for sales teams to maximize cash impact at offer stage (pilot: Sales Director), assistance with the customization of SAP H over credit management and cash collection (pilot: Finance Director), management seminar for BU representatives (13 countries) on AR and AP aspects (pilot: CEO)
Management of a consultants team (1 to 4)
Relationship management with C-suite representatives, operational people within clients and shareholder teams
Offering setup, especially in the context of Prix et Assises des Délais de Paiement (yearly meeting at French Ministry of Finance, then MEDEF): participation in meetings together with representatives of various organizations (DFCG, DGCCRF, AFDCC, ...)
Interim management of PwC collection department of PwC France (over a 4-year period)
Redesign of procedures and optimization of organization
Management of a team of 5 people, as well as relationship with a subcontractor
Implementation of a software (ELOFICASH): selection phase, specifications, selection, contracting aspects, implementation of the software, together with IT provider, internal IT management and 3rd party provider

Feb 2003 - Mar 2012

9 years 2 months

Senior Manager then Director, Working Capital Optimization

EY Advisory

Selling and delivery of advisory assignments
Customer types: corporates (mainly mid-size firms)
Sector and country focus: public works, wood and paper, agro-business, chemicals, industrial equipment, car repair, ... ; France, Switzerland, Algeria, Sweden, Czech Republic, ...
Examples of assignments: organization and procedures change then extension of the scope of an IT software (COVERIS, now ELOFICASH) for collection and credit management improvement, for a mid-size company (approx. €500M), leading to a significant improvement of cash collection results as well as self-insurance position (insurance cost reduction: €300K, with losses increase)
Management of a consultants team (1 to 3)
Relationship management with decision makers on projects and lead of the sales activity

Feb 1995 - Jun 2002

7 years 5 months

Consultant then Senior Manager, Working Capital improvement

REL

Participation in project delivery, typically diagnostics and implementation phases
Customer types: mainly large corporates
Example of assignment: diagnostic of working capital improvement (on the 3 working capital components) for one of the BU of an industrial group, covering France, Greece and the Netherlands
Sector and country focus: engineering, telecom equipment, aluminium, medical devices, air transportation, ; France, Greece, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, Morocco, United States, ...
Management of a team of consultants (1 to 7)
Contribution to sales effort, especially during on-sell phases

Industry Experience

See where this freelancer has spent most of their professional time.

Experienced in Manufacturing, Automotive, Chemical, Utilities, Agriculture, and Construction.

Manufacturing

Automotive

Chemical

Utilities

Agriculture

Construction

Business Area Experience

See which departments and functions this freelancer has contributed to most.

Experienced in Finance, Operations, Information Technology, Strategy, Sales, and Project Management.

Finance

Operations

Information Technology

Strategy

Sales

Project Management

Summary

More than 25 years of experience focused on cash improvements from working capital. In the end, this is only delivered through improvements in organization, processes, procedures and IT tools across sales, purchasing and manufacturing / distribution, covering Finance and HR impacts. Working Capital improvements bring significant benefits and also a direct impact on cost reduction and customer service. Nothing less than a restructuring initiative, without calling it that

Projects carried out in 20 countries, from France to Brazil, the USA to the UAE, Belgium to Cameroon ... in nearly all sectors including mining and metals, chemicals, paper and packaging, telecom or airport equipment, oil & gas, professional services, ...

Also involved in cost reduction initiatives as well as interim management on several recent occasions.

Skills

Proficient In Usual Business Software (Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook / Notes, ...)
Cash Collection And Credit Risk Tools (Dso Suite, My Dso Manager, Eloficash, Coveris)
Sap R3 (Fi) And Sap H

Decades Of Experience Successfully Managing Relationships With Both Operational People And C-Suite Representatives, Including Shareholders For Pe-Backed Companies

Strong Interest In Operational Details, Key For Success Not Only In The Short Term But For Lasting Results

Great Ability To Quickly

Assess Performance And Identify Improvement Opportunities
Develop Detailed Action Plans
Implement Agreed Actions Together With Operational Teams And Management

Most Of My Experience Relates To Working Capital Improvements, Which Means Improving All Key Operational Processes (Sales, Purchasing And Manufacturing / Distribution), Not Forgetting Finance And Hr; In Addition To Wc, I Was Involved In Cost Reduction Initiatives As Well As Successful Outsourcing To 3rd Parties

Languages

French

Native

English

Advanced

Education

Sep 2021 - Jun 2022

Ecole de Guerre Economique

Master · Competitive Intelligence · Paris, France

Master degree in Competitive Intelligence from the best French school in this field

Sep 1993 - Jun 1994

ISLI (ESC Bordeaux / KEDGE)

Master · Industrial Logistics · Bordeaux, France

Master in Industrial Logistics, key for my long career in Working Capital improvements, cost reductions and operational restructuring initiatives ! Gained deep knowledge and expertise on how to improve / optimize the 3 types of flows: information, physical and financial.

Sep 1987 - Jun 1988

Université Paris II

DESS · International Trade · Paris, France

Specialized degree in International Trade, covering all dimensions, from law to transportation, from business development to finance

Statistics

Experience

Total positions 4

Experience in Manufacturing 19.5 y

Avg length 7 y

Longest experience 9 y 1 m

Expertise

Recent roles Independant Consultant – Working Capital optimization, Director, Working Capital improvement (Inventory, AR and AP), Senior Manager then Director, Working Capital Optimization

Main industries Manufacturing, Automotive, Chemical

Main business areas Finance, Operations, Information Technology

Qualifications

Highest degree Master

Profile

Created

August 2026

Need a freelancer? Find your match in seconds.

Try FRATCH GPT

Frequently asked questions

Have questions? Find more information here.

François is based in Paris, France and can operate in on-site, hybrid, and remote work models.

François speaks the following languages: French (Native), English (Advanced).

François has at least 28 years of experience. During this time, François has worked in at least 4 different roles and for 4 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 7 years. Note that François may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Based on recent experience, François would be well-suited for roles such as: Independant Consultant – Working Capital optimization, Director, Working Capital improvement (Inventory, AR and AP), Senior Manager then Director, Working Capital Optimization.

François's most recent position is Independant Consultant – Working Capital optimization at FGU Consult.

In recent years, François has worked for FGU Consult.

François is most experienced in industries like Manufacturing, Automotive, and Chemical. François also has some experience in Utilities, Agriculture, and Construction.

François is most experienced in business areas like Finance, Operations, and Information Technology. François also has some experience in Strategy, Sales, and Project Management.

François has recently worked in industries like Education, Energy, and Manufacturing.

François has recently worked in business areas like Accounting, Finance, and Information Technology.

François holds a Master in Competitive Intelligence from Ecole de Guerre Economique, a Master in Industrial Logistics from ISLI (ESC Bordeaux / KEDGE) and a Master in International Trade from Université Paris II.

François is immediately available full-time for suitable projects.

François's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.

To hire François, click the Meet button on the profile to request a meeting and discuss your project needs.