Faces of Manufacturing 2025: From Short-term Opportunity to Fulfilling Career
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.
Laura Phillips
City/State of Residence: Pella, Iowa
Job Title: Vice President of Engineering & Procurement
Company: Pella Corporation
Years with Company: 16
Industry of Your Company: Window and Door Manufacturing
Training/Education: Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University and Master of Business Administration from University of Phoenix
What made you decide to pursue a career in manufacturing?
I’ve always loved science and math. That curiosity and problem-solving mindset naturally led me toward engineering. When I started exploring career paths, I was drawn to opportunities that would let me innovate, build, and make a tangible impact. As a chemical engineering student, I had envisioned working in research, but Pella Corporation offered a manufacturing engineering role in the location where I wanted to live. Despite not first being interested in manufacturing, I accepted the position, thinking it would be a short-term opportunity to gain experience before moving on. I couldn’t have been more wrong. What I discovered was the complete opposite. Manufacturing is full of collaboration, innovation and purpose. It’s the heartbeat of any organization, where teams come together to bring ideas to life and serve customers every single day. Seeing that energy firsthand is what hooked me, and why I’ve built my career in this field.
See more Manufacturing Day/Month coverage here.
What does your job entail?
As vice president of engineering and procurement for Pella Corporation, I have the privilege of leading the team responsible for the design of our products and our manufacturing processes, driving automation strategy, ensuring quality, and sourcing the materials that bring our products to life. Pella is a large and growing manufacturer of windows and doors with around 11,000 employees and 20 manufacturing sites across the U.S. Our growth has been rapid, and with it comes the opportunity to innovate in ways that directly benefit our customers and improve the lives of our team members on the manufacturing floor. What makes this role exciting is the impact we get to make every day – advancing technology, solving complex challenges, and building a better experience for those who use and create our products.
What is the most interesting part of your job? Your proudest moment?
The most interesting part of my job is the opportunity to collaborate across functions to solve complex problems. Creativity and innovation thrive from broad perspectives, and it is energizing to work with teams across the enterprise to bring improvement. My proudest moments come when my teams achieve more than they thought possible. Every day, they show grit and resilience. One recent highlight was our team receiving the 2025 Future of Manufacturing Award from the Manufacturing Leadership Council (MLC). The award honored Pella’s voice-guided work instructions, developed by the company’s Intelligent Operations team to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and communication on the manufacturing floor. By delivering instructions in multiple languages, this innovation supports a diverse workforce and strengthens talent retention. I’m also proud of the team’s product innovations, like Pella’s Steady Set Interior Installation System, which makes window installation faster, safer, and easier. I’m always proud of the advancements that reflect our commitment to continuous improvement and our passion for creating meaningful impact through manufacturing.
What do you love about manufacturing?
What I love most about manufacturing is the people. It is a space where diverse perspectives, experiences, and capabilities are required to be successful. Manufacturing offers endless opportunities to learn, grow, and build a fulfilling career. I am continually inspired by the hundreds of human hands that work together to design, produce, and deliver our high-quality windows at Pella.
What advice would you give to kids considering a job in manufacturing?
Manufacturing is often misunderstood, and it is so much more than you might think. Our factories are bright, clean and full of cutting-edge technology. They’re powered by amazing people who work together to build beautiful, high-quality products that improve our customers’ lives. Check out manufacturing before you decide on a career. Try an internship or apprenticeship. Spend time on the floor. Ask questions. You might be surprised at what you discover.
What advice would you give to manufacturers to help increase kids’ interest in manufacturing as a career choice?
Outreach matters. Spend time with students of all ages, introducing them to the world of manufacturing and get the word out. At Pella, we recently partnered with the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa to host an event called Inspiring Women in Skilled Trades. Over 100 elementary and middle school-aged girls visited our headquarters for a morning of hands-on activities and inspiration. It was a joyful, high-energy experience to give these young girls a glimpse into skilled trades and the possibilities ahead. Beyond events, we stay connected with student organizations on college campuses and support programming at the high schools across communities where we operate. It’s important to get involved and help kids see that manufacturing is a career full of opportunity, purpose, and pride.