Editor's Note: Throughout October in celebration of Manufacturing Day/Month, IndustryWeek's Faces of Manufacturing will share the stories of people with a passion for manufacturing. 

Rosa M Leal

City/State of Residence: Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Job Title: Director, Commercial Product Strategy/CX, U.S. Air Rheem North America

Company: Rheem Manufacturing Co.

Years with Company: 9+

Industry of Your Company: HVAC and water heating industry

Training/Education: 

• Universidad de Carabobo, Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Engineering
• University of Phoenix, Master's degree, Business Administration and Management, General

What made you decide to pursue a career in manufacturing?

I’ve always been drawn to understanding how things work and, more importantly, how to make them work better. That curiosity naturally led me to engineering, where I discovered that manufacturing provides the opportunity to take an idea from a drawing or concept and turn it into something tangible that solves real-world problems.

Early in my career, I became especially interested in HVAC because it brings together many disciplines of engineering, including thermodynamics, controls, mechanical design, and materials science, while having a direct impact on people’s everyday lives. What has kept me in manufacturing is the opportunity to continuously learn and innovate.

The industry is constantly evolving, and I’ve had the opportunity to lead product strategy and customer-focused initiatives while working closely with cross-functional teams. Through these experiences, I’ve seen firsthand how collaboration can transform technical ideas into products that deliver meaningful value to customers.

What does your job entail?

My role focuses on developing and executing Rheem’s commercial product strategy, from identifying innovation opportunities to managing products throughout their lifecycle and bringing new solutions to market. A big part of my job is understanding what customers need and making sure that insight is reflected in our product and business decisions.

I work closely with teams across Rheem, including R&D, engineering, manufacturing, sales and marketing, to move products from an initial idea through development and launch while ensuring they meet customer needs, performance expectations and industry standards. I also analyze market trends and the competitive landscape to identify where we can innovate and where opportunities for growth exist.

Customer experience is another important part of my role. I look at the entire customer journey and work with our teams to identify ways to improve the experience at every touchpoint. Ultimately, my job is to connect the technical, commercial, and customer sides of the business to bring the right products and solutions to market.

What is the most interesting part of your job? Your proudest moment? 

One of the most interesting parts of my job is innovation, seeing an idea evolve from a customer need or market opportunity into a real product.

I’m also especially proud of the opportunity I’ve had to give back to the industry by helping develop the next generation of engineers and HVAC professionals. Through my involvement with the Society of Women Engineers, STEM programs in local schools and mentorship of college students, I’ve been able to share what I’ve learned throughout my career and hopefully help others see the possibilities available to them in engineering and manufacturing. Supporting young people and women who are considering careers in the HVAC industry is particularly meaningful to me. Knowing I can help someone build confidence, develop their skills, or see themselves in this industry is one of the most rewarding parts of my career.

What do you love about manufacturing? 

Throughout my career, I’ve contributed to innovations that have resulted in 31 patents and counting, and there’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing an idea move from concept to an engineered product that can be manufactured and ultimately used by customers.

I also love that manufacturing is constantly evolving. There are always new technologies to explore, new challenges to solve and opportunities to make products better. For me, that combination of innovation, problem-solving and seeing an idea come to life is what makes manufacturing so rewarding.

What advice would you give to kids considering a job in manufacturing? 

Be curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do when you’re starting. Explore different areas of STEM, get hands-on experience whenever you can, and pay attention to what naturally interests you.

I would also encourage young people to find mentors and learn from the people around them. Manufacturing offers many career paths, from engineering and product development to technology, operations, marketing, and more. If you enjoy solving problems, creating things and working with others, there is a place for you in this industry. Most importantly, believe in yourself and don’t let uncertainty about your path keep you from exploring the possibilities.

What advice would you give to manufacturers to help increase kids' interest in manufacturing as a career choice?

I think manufacturers need to engage young people early and give them opportunities to see what manufacturing really looks like. Many still see manufacturing as simply working on an assembly line, but in reality, the industry offers careers in engineering, technology, product development, robotics, design, business, and much more.

We need to bring those opportunities into schools through STEM programs, hands-on projects, internships, mentorship, and chances to meet people who actually work in the industry. When students can see the technology, understand the problems we’re solving and meet professionals they can relate to, manufacturing becomes much more tangible.

I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful that exposure can be. Manufacturers have an opportunity and a responsibility to show the next generation that there is a place for their curiosity, creativity and ideas in this industry.