Driving growth in manufacturing through social impact

I’m the plant manager at our Glad site in Orangeville, Ontario. I see my role much like that of an orchestra conductor. Every day I get the honor of bringing together diverse teams, each with their own strengths and responsibilities, to perform in harmony toward a common goal.

• I oversee operations to ensure production runs safely and efficiently with good quality and within budget, just as a conductor ensures every section plays in sync and on time. 
• A key focus is removing operational barriers and developing people through coaching and training to prepare future leaders.
• Like a conductor who interprets the score and unites the orchestra, I align the site with our company’s goals, using data and continuous improvement to keep us all moving in rhythm and producing great results.

I am the Atlanta Main plant director. I’m responsible for delivering all results in the plant.

Championing women in leadership roles within manufacturing fosters a culture of diverse perspectives and enhances our ability to adapt to change. 

• Empowering women to lead not only breaks down barriers but also creates pathways for new solutions that can improve our operational efficiency and drive sustainable growth.
• This inclusive approach strengthens our ability to respond to industry challenges and positions us for long-term success in manufacturing.

I have always believed that we must engage the community in which we live. Through this outreach, we can hear thoughts different than our own. This enables us to better understand their needs.

There is not one right path to becoming a plant manager. Each career is unique, so take time to enjoy your journey. My advice is:

• Seek multiple roles across the supply chain. Embrace the experiences that shape you along the way, whether that’s working different roles within the plant, developing technical expertise, or building strong leadership skills. 
• Seek out mentorship. Stay adaptable and be open to learning from both successes and setbacks. 
• Always remember that people are your No. 1 asset. Investing in their development creates a culture of trust, collaboration, and growth. Building strong, empowered teams and delivering wins together will be one of the most rewarding aspects of your career.

This is a complex question, but let me boil it down to three things.

• Don’t chase money or promotions; chase the experiences and leave a legacy. I have seen so many young professionals desire a quick raise or promotion because that’s how they’ve defined success. I even defined success that way when I was younger. As I matured in my career, it became more about gaining experiences that made me better at my profession. This allows me to help my team be the best they can be. It has to be less about me and more about those in my organization, an approach called servant leadership.
  Also, you can get experience in a variety of areas inside a manufacturing facility, including  health, safety and the environment; quality; maintenance; processing; operations; packaging; engineering; logistics; finance; and human resources. The breadth of experiences available to help you throughout your career is endless.
• Failing does not equal failure: If you fail, that doesn’t mean you’re a failure. If you’re afraid of failing, you won’t take the necessary steps to be successful. Throughout my career, every time I succeeded, I failed along the way but also grew. Don’t be afraid of failing — just make sure you take the time to learn from it and become better.
• Enjoy the ride of your career: We spend too much time looking at the destination and where we want to be five or 10 years from now. As we do that, we lose sight of today. In reality, it’s all about the journey.