Climbing Through Major Changes: Innovation, Leadership, and a New Personal Chapter

In mountaineering, as in a professional career, there are moments when the climb intensifies, forcing us to face abrupt changes. My transition to management in 2019 was exactly that—a period of intense learning, challenges, and a true test of professional endurance. And within this scenario, a real avalanche emerged: the Bull Bar project for the new Fiat Toro 2020.

Changing Base Camp and the Avalanche Called Bull Bar

Just like a mountaineer transitioning between Base Camps and suddenly being caught in an avalanche, my move into management began with an extreme challenge. I was appointed to lead a highly complex project with an unrealistic deadline: developing and implementing the Bull Bar for the new Fiat Toro 2020 in less than 60 days.

Stellantis had a strategic challenge. Due to government incentives and market demands, it was essential for the 2020 model to feature significant updates to remain competitive. However, the discussions about the modification concept dragged on for months, delaying the development phase. By the time a decision was finally made, time was already against us.

At first glance, the Bull Bar seemed like a simple design enhancement, but in reality, it required deep changes in the production process:

? New injection tooling – Two highly complex molds that would typically take 90 days to develop and validate.

? Masked painting process – A highly visible component with strict quality perception requirements, demanding a flawless finish.

? Bumper adaptation – The need to drill 23 additional holes in a part already in mass production, requiring changes to the production flow without halting the assembly line.

? Implementation of a new drilling process – A temporary CNC system was rented and installed to ensure the project could meet the deadline.

The short timeline, technical complexity, and need for seamless collaboration between multiple teams made this one of the most extreme challenges of my career.

The Importance of Sherpas and the Right Allies

No climb is achieved alone. While I was responsible for leading and executing the project, two key allies played fundamental roles in making it a success:

?? Ayslan Verticchio – My direct client at Stellantis ( Stellantis South America ) , who, despite the intense pressure, maintained a strategic and collaborative approach. In an industry where the client-supplier relationship is often purely demanding, Ayslan balanced high expectations with partnership, ensuring that we worked toward a realistic and sustainable solution. His systemic mindset and leadership were critical in making the project happen.

?? Patrick Lehner – Then Director of Engineering for FORVIA South America, Patrick was the first to take ownership of the challenge and bring visibility to the complexity of the project. He moved the right pieces within the executive team, ensuring that I had the resources and support necessary to succeed. His backing was crucial in transforming the Bull Bar into a success case.

Beyond these two, many others played essential roles in this climb:

?? watila castro (Plant Manager), who ensured full support from the Goiania plant.

?? Armando Ceccato (Director of Operations), who helped maintain operational stability under pressure.

?? Hervé FAURE & Armando Castro , who played key roles in the strategic coordination at the CBU level.

?? Paulo Henrique Bars Prensaque , who led the painting process and was a crucial partner in ensuring final delivery quality.

Thanks to the contribution of these Sherpas, I experienced firsthand the importance of communication, transparency, synergy, and value delivery to the client. It was an intensive and immersive learning process!

Balancing Personal and Professional Life (Pressure, Resilience, and a New Perspective)

Amidst all of this, my personal life was also undergoing a major transformation—I discovered that I was going to be a father. Between exhaustive meetings and sleepless nights at the plant, I had to find moments to step away and accompany my wife’s medical appointments as we prepared for this new chapter.

Balancing these high professional demands with my personal transformation gave me an even greater understanding of time management, resilience, and prioritization.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The Bull Bar project was a turning point in my career. Beyond being a successful delivery, this experience solidified my position as a manager and strengthened strategic relationships within Stellantis and FORVIA.

In the next articles, I will explore the impact of this experience, the project’s unfolding developments, and the lessons that shaped my journey toward even greater challenges.

?? Have you ever faced a professional challenge that felt like an avalanche? How did you handle the pressure? Share your experiences in the comments! ?????