Alcatel-Lucent creates chief operating officer role

Alcatel-Lucent is creating the role of chief operating officer (COO) at the company in an attempt to boost performance at the ailing firm.

The job will be taken by the Alcatel’s CFO, Paul Tufano. In addition to his financial responsibilities, it will mean he is in charge of global supply chain, procurement and three business divisions – enterprise, strategic industries and submarine.

Other executives are also gaining new roles in the shake-up, which sees Robert Vrij become president of global sales and marketing; Stephen A. Carter take on president of managed services and executive vice-president on corporate restructuring; and Philippe Keryer named as president of networks and platforms.

Ben Verwaayen, CEO of Alcatel, said the new structure of his firm would lead to a stronger company.

“In today's markets it makes sense to play to your strengths,” he said. “Alcatel-Lucent’s leadership in core networking, reflects our innovation excellence and long-standing customer relationships.”

“The objective of the new operating structure is to strengthen Alcatel-Lucent’s presence in key telecommunications products and services through a unified business group.  A streamlined executive committee will oversee the simplified business model… and puts our performance programme at the forefront of our 2013 objectives."

The company announced its performance programme in July, with the aim of making cost savings of €1.25bn and cutting 5,000 jobs as part of the restructure.

Verwaayen also said the company would be putting more efforts into its Chinese operations through the Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell (ASB) joint venture in order to grow the business.