Franco Cocca, our Manifests Department Manager, shares his insights on how the infusion of fresh young talent and innovative ideas is driving transformation at PFE, and why he personally takes enormous pride in the growth of his team.
Number of years in the industry?
Three years and six months. That’s when I joined PFE.
What’s your journey been getting to PFE?
Before joining PFE, my primary roles had always been in Manufacturing and Operations. This ranged from the Volkswagen Group as process and quality improvement specialist to the, Head of Operations for Flow energy, looking after customer centric processes focused on supporting the needs of over 100,000 Gas and Electric customers. My career has taken me to Guangzhou China, multiple regions across Italy and Molsheim in France, managing workforce teams as small as 2 to as large as 300. I have been truly fortunate to meet lots of interesting and talented people on my journey.
When COVID hit, I had to stop flying to the EU and switch to remote work. Despite staying connected through digital platforms, it wasn’t the same. To be successful at improving processes I needed to see the staff, listen to the problems, observe the process and talk through solutions. Remote working was not for me! It was at this point my daughter who was working at PFE suggested that I apply for the vacancy of the Manifest Manager role. I had concerns (so did PFE!) as I knew little about the freight forwarding industry. However, I was confident in my ability to understand the mechanics of a processes, and I believed that’s what mattered most. So, I took the plunge to explore this new field and see where it would lead.
What does your role at PFE entail?
Taking on the role of Manifest Manager has been quite a journey. Organisation of the work, workplace and process were key. I recruited and assembled a strong team, provided them with the training and process tools needed. Coupled with great personalities and strong work ethics the team now runs like clockwork. I am proud of all my team, they have grown so much as individuals, especially my longest standing team player, Maisie.
My passion for continuous improvement remains strong. Although we still occasionally encounter issues within the department, I strive to streamline processes and enhance our efficiency. PFE’s business infrastructure, composed of people and machines rather than a tangible product, requires constant re-evaluation. I believe that for our infrastructure to be truly effective, it needs to be self-aware and capable of performing its job autonomously.
In addition to managing the teams workload, I focus on mentoring younger members as much as possible. The next generation’s growth is crucial, and I want to ensure they have the support they need. They’re capable of far more than they might realise, and I take great satisfaction in helping them reach their full potential. While I might not always show it, I genuinely get a lot of pleasure from helping others – more than I probably let on sometimes!
What do you enjoy most about your work?
What I enjoy most about working here is the considerable freedom and support I have to explore and improve various aspects of the business. My role has evolved beyond managing the Manifest department, and this growth has been encouraged.
Initially, my focus was on enhancing processes within the Manifest team. Once those improvements became routine, I looked at how we could better communicate across departments. This led to the development of the CAT (Customer Application Tracker) platform. With CAT, we can now track customers from their initial contact with PFE, monitor interactions across departments, and ensure more cohesive communication both internally and with our customers.
My goal is to continuously explore, evaluate and improve processes and systems wherever possible. Although I’m not an industry expert, but rather a process expert, I acknowledge my limitations. So I have to be mindful that I don’t have all the answers to all the problems because it’s beyond my scope of knowledge. But that’s ok because if you recognise your limitations, you can avoid potential pitfalls. PFE has lots of talented and dedicated staff, so if I need to know more, I just need to ask.
What makes PFE different from the rest?
PFE excels in granting people autonomy within their roles, which I believe is one of the company’s key strengths. The Directors don’t micromanage; as long as the outcome is achieved, they trust individuals to manage their own departments. This approach fosters independence, responsibility and trust.
As PFE evolves, it’s becoming a different place to work. While the Directors will remain true to their style, the influx of younger talent and fresh ideas is driving change. This transformation, although challenging for some, is a positive development.
Since I’ve been here, I’ve seen significant changes. We’ve moved from more paper-based systems to digital platforms, enhancing information accessibility. Now, you can log on and view real-time updates, which has greatly reduced the issues of misplaced files, paperwork and lost time. Initially, our digital tools focused on catching errors, but now they help pre-empt them, reflecting our ongoing evolution. This continuous IT development is a major selling point for PFE, ensuring that information is readily accessible and our operations are streamlined.
What are three words that describe PFE?
EVOLVING
CONSISTENT
PROUD
At PFE we are consistent, no matter what challenges we face. Whether we’re dealing with disruptions like those in the Red Sea or other issues, we strive to provide the best service we can within our constraints. Every team member is committed to maintaining a high level of service, which is why many of our customers have stayed with us for so long.
The transition hasn’t always been easy for me; coming from a background with strict corporate discipline, PFE has given me a new platform to apply my skills. I’m proud of my colleagues, the achievements we’ve made, and the overall progress of the business. This anniversary year feels particularly significant, as there’s a strong sense of pride in what we’ve accomplished over the last 40 years. With upcoming expansions, it’s an exciting time for PFE, and I look forward to seeing how these changes unfold.
Do you have any future ambitions for PFE?
I grapple with the “what’s next?” question daily! I’m not thinking about retirement quite yet; I want to stay involved for as long as I can. I’m excited to see where PFE goes and what part I will play as part of that journey. I look forward to seeing my team develop and grow, whether that means personal milestones like marriage or professional growth. I will continue to help colleges wherever I can. This could be on individual one to one projects to improve a process or through initiatives like Excel training. It’s all about making their jobs easier and more efficient, that in turn benefits the business. The goal is to make everything as seamless as possible, improving value and profitability. My mission is to simplify processes and prevent people from doing things the hard way, leveraging my experience, knowledge and skills for PFE. It is important that we remember that people don’t make mistakes, it is the process, the technology or communication that failed to stop the mistake happening in the first instance.
Who was your childhood hero and why?
My late uncle, who passed away from cancer quite some time ago, was a huge inspiration to me as a child. My family owns farmland in Italy, and my uncle taught me how to plough fields from a very young age. I drove tractors, picked tomatoes at 5am, and strung tobacco in barns during the summer holidays. He showed me the mechanics of it all and encouraged me to learn. I even took apart and repaired an old moped he had, and he loved it. His support and enthusiasm steered me towards a career in engineering.
Was he a hero in the traditional sense? I don’t think so. To me, anyone who makes it through life without serious trouble is a hero. Life is tough, not because it has to be, but because the world makes it so. Heroes are ordinary people who do extraordinary things, like raising their children well. Peter and Adam, who have taken risks with PFE, are heroes in their own way because they dared to take a chance. And a single mother who raises her child as best as she possibly can is a hero too. Heroes aren’t just characters from stories; they’re real people who make a difference in their own way.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?
My favourite food is curry by a long way. However, a really decent burger and chips would also be a strong contender. I used to go to Frankie and Benny’s for their burgers, but with all the franchises now closed, I’m a bit stuck. I’ve been told I should give Five Guys a try. Being of Italian origin, I also have a deep love for all sorts of pasta. Whenever we visit Italy every couple of years to see family, we start on pasta at 7am! I adore pasta, but it’s never quite the same here—the tomatoes and water just aren’t the same, and olive oil there is made on local farms. It’s hard to match that quality. If I did choose a curry to eat for the rest of my life, I’d go for Rogan Josh. It has just the right amount of heat—enough to make you sweat a little!
What’s your favourite movie?
My favourite movie is the original version of ‘The Italian Job’ from 1969. I’ve always been a fan of Michael Caine’s films. The whole idea, and comedic tone is just brilliant. The concept of three Minis zooming around the country with their boots full of gold is absolutely ludicrous! It’s a film that never fails to make me laugh. I just think it’s just fantastic!
