€3.9B
Annual turnover
Global Organizational Restructuring Delivers 10% Headcount Reduction
A multinational chemical company sought to redesign its global and local support organizations to reduce fixed costs, strengthen capabilities, and harmonize ways of working across regions. EFESO partnered with leadership to create a blueprint organization aligned with strategic objectives, streamline activities, and build a scalable structure ready for future demands. The initiative delivered a 10% headcount reduction and a successful rollout of the new organizational model globally.
Chemicals
High Performance Organization
Leadership & Change Management
Operations Strategy and Transformation
People and Organization
Our Client
A multinational manufacturer and marketer of chemical products serving both consumer and industrial markets. The company operates globally across five sites and produces a broad portfolio including polyurethanes, performance materials, and specialized chemical solutions. The project scope covered 278 FTEs across multiple support functions, including Engineering, R&D, Technology, Projects, and Digital support.
5
Sites across three regions
278
FTEs in scope
The Challenge
The client needed to redesign its functional organization to address structural inefficiencies and prepare for future operational needs.
Key challenges included:
- Fragmented global and local support functions with overlapping responsibilities
- Need to reduce fixed costs through headcount optimization in support areas
- Limited capability development and uneven availability of expertise across sites
- Requirement to harmonize structures across regions based on “Think Global, Act Local” principles
- Need to integrate digital support and future-proof capabilities into the new organization
- Requirement to align with previously established blueprints in Production, Maintenance, and Process Engineering
- Phased rollout starting with flagship sites followed by expansion to other geographies
Real Results Achieved Together
The restructuring program delivered a unified global organizational blueprint with measurable efficiency gains.
-10%
Reduction in total headcount in support functions
278
Roles reviewed through activity rationalization
3
Regions successfully aligned under the new structure
Transformation Impact
- Macro and micro design completed for all functions, including blueprint org charts and job descriptions
- Robust RACI and KPI cascade developed to clarify roles and accountabilities
- Activity analysis completed to rationalize tasks and support right-sizing
- Clear roadmap created for implementation, communication, and capability planning
- Successful launch of the new structure across all regions
- Integration of digital, engineering, EHS, capex, and excellence-related roles into a coherent global setup
- Comprehensive preparation completed for Work Council processes
Our Approach
EFESO deployed a structured, multi-phase approach ensuring alignment with strategy, leadership commitment, and organizational feasibility.
Assessment & Alignment
- Evaluation of the current organizational setup across all functions
- Interviews and engagement with key global and site stakeholders
- Identification of gaps, duplications, and opportunities for simplification
Macro Design
- Co-created design principles aligned with strategic imperatives
- Top-down targets defined with leadership
- Scenario development and cross-functional benchmarking
- Global workshops with senior leaders to validate structure and accountabilities
- High-level blueprint for each functional area
Micro Design
- Detailed design workshops by function
- Definition of RACIs, KPIs, skill profiles, and capability needs
- Quantification and qualification of positions
- Activity rationalization to refine the future-state structure
Roadmap & Implementation
- Blueprint-to-local gap analysis at each site
- People selection process supported where required
- Comprehensive change management, training, and communication plan
- Rollout support across flagship sites, followed by regional expansion
- Governance through weekly progress meetings and status reporting
Related Services
Workforce transformation, leadership development, and structure optimization. Learn more about our People & Organization consulting services.
Ready to Redesign Your Organization for Agility and Performance?
- Looking to optimize support functions while strengthening critical capabilities?
- Planning a global or multi-site organizational redesign?
- Seeking a structured blueprint and clear implementation roadmap?
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