Keeping Up Means Getting Ahead

March 12, 2007

Training is key to one woman's success.

Jan Steiner, director of distribution and logistics for Westell Technologies, credits APICS ,The Association for Operations Management ,for a large part of her success. Her career has taken twists and turns and each move upward was preceded by education and training that she received from APICS.

"To move up at any job, especially in the telcom industry, you have to be more than knowledgeable. You need to be an expert. And that holds true especially for women as they are still in the minority in this field," explains Steiner. Westell Technologies, based in Aurora, Ill. manufactures broadband/DSL and VoIP technology.

See more on women in manufacturing, including additional articles and educational resources.

Steiner's career began in accounting -- but she moved into software implementation, then to ERP systems, process improvements systems and eventually into distribution and logistics, where she is now. "At every turn I looked to APICS and got the training I need all the while greatly increasing my salary."

Certification in various specialties, such as CPIM and CSCP, has given Steiner the confidence she needs while she competes in a field populated largely by men. "I can stand toe-to-toe with anyone on Lean and Six Sigma given all of my operations training," she says.

Jan Steiner, director of distribution and logistics for Westell TechnologiesIn addition to education, speaking and leadership skills are key to forging a successful career; especially for women who will have greater opportunities in the field of change management, says Steiner. "Given the collaborative nature of today's highly fluid manufacturing environment in which the product on the drawing board becomes obsolete by the time it hits the manufacturing floor, managers must be flexible. I see managers who posses these skills moving up to the executive level and it's a great opportunity for women to move up."

For information on APICS programs visit www.apics.org.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.