Marthe Cousin

Why this persona fits the audience

Supports a 6-person SolidWorks team at a Lyon industrial-products company, organizing file naming, drawing release notes, and supplier questions across Jira, Outlook, and a shared network drive. She is the person who reconciles engineering comments with production-ready documents.

• Age: 29
• Location: Lyon, France
• Occupation: Design Operations Coordinator
• Income: €43k
• Education: DUT/BTS Mécanique
• Company size: Small (approx. 70 employees)
• Years in role: 4

“A place for everything, and everything in its place – it just makes the work flow so much better, doesn't it?”

Marthe Cousin's journey into the structured world of design operations began with a practical education in mechanical engineering, earning her DUT at a local Lyonnais institute. This foundation instilled in her a deep appreciation for precision and methodical processes, qualities that quickly became apparent during her initial internships. Upon graduating, she found herself drawn to the organizational challenges of supporting engineering teams rather than hands-on design. She secured her current role as a Design Operations Coordinator at a mid-sized industrial products company four years ago, drawn by the promise of stability and the opportunity to apply her inherent sense of order. Her days are consumed by the minutiae of file management, ensuring that the SolidWorks designs produced by her six-person team are impeccably documented, consistently named, and properly released. She views the shared network drive not just as storage, but as a critical, albeit often unruly, component of the company's intellectual property. Her income of €43k is stable and allows for comfortable living in her Lyon apartment, with enough discretionary funds for her passions. She recently pushed back against an informal request from one engineer to bypass a standard release procedure for a minor component, firmly but politely explaining the long-term risks of such shortcuts, reinforcing her commitment to established protocols. This decision solidified her reputation as the guardian of process integrity within the department, a role she embraces with quiet determination, finding satisfaction in the seamless execution of complex documentation workflows and the clear delineation of responsibilities. She sees time as a valuable resource to be managed efficiently, and money as a means to achieve security and pursue her interests, rather than a symbol of status.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Marthe arrives at the office around 8:45 AM, after a quick stop at the boulangerie. Her morning begins by checking emails and Jira, prioritizing urgent supplier questions or critical drawing updates. She spends a good hour meticulously organizing the shared drive, renaming files, and ensuring correct versions are uploaded. Mid-morning involves a virtual meeting with one of the engineers to clarify comments on a new design iteration, followed by updating the release notes in a shared document. Lunch is usually a packed meal enjoyed at her desk while browsing a design forum. The afternoon is a mix of processing drawing releases, responding to internal queries about documentation standards, and chasing down outstanding information from suppliers. She typically leaves around 5:30 PM, often reflecting on what processes could be further optimized.

Lifestyle

Marthe lives a structured but enjoyable life in Lyon. Her evenings often involve preparing elaborate meals, experimenting with traditional Lyonnaise dishes learned from her grandmother, or tending to her small collection of fountain pens. Weekends are sacred, dedicated to either long cycling trips through the scenic vineyards and hills surrounding Lyon, or exploring the vibrant farmers' markets for fresh ingredients. She manages her finances prudently, saving a portion of her income for future travel and potential home improvements, valuing financial stability. Her social life is warm but not boisterous, focusing on close friends and family gatherings.

Work life

Her days are a constant juggling act of managing documentation flow for the six engineers she supports. The shared network drive is a perpetual source of mild chaos, requiring her constant vigilance for proper file naming conventions and version control. Jira tickets, especially those involving supplier queries or drawing release notes, demand careful tracking and clear communication to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Her primary function is bridging the gap between the engineers' creative designs and the precise requirements for production, often involving translating technical feedback into actionable document revisions. Coworkers see her as the reliable anchor keeping their design process grounded and efficient.

Relationships

Marthe maintains close ties with her parents in a nearby town, visiting for Sunday dinners. Her core group of friends, many met during her DUT studies, are a significant source of support and social engagement, often coordinating weekend activities. Her colleagues respect her for her dependability and calm demeanor, though her interactions are primarily professional and task-oriented.

How they decide

Marthe is a thoughtful and analytical decision-maker. She prefers to gather all relevant information, weigh the pros and cons systematically, and consult established procedures or reliable colleagues before committing to a course of action. She is not prone to impulsive choices and values evidence and clarity in her decision-making process.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured cadence, using standard French. Her tone is generally calm and professional, but can become more animated when discussing cooking or cycling. She avoids slang and overly casual language at work, preferring precise terminology. When explaining a process, she is patient and thorough, often using analogies to ensure understanding.