Breaking Barriers and Driving Diversity—How Women in Leadership Are Transforming the Manufacturing Industry?
Manufacturing is a male-dominated industry. Not long ago, the mere idea of championing women in leadership roles in this “testosterone-packed” environment was deemed laughable. Regrettably, many still share that feeling. Many still fail to recognize women’s leadership as a force to be reckoned with. Even more in manufacturing, a place where men have the upper hand.
The good news? The landscape is changing. And besides digital technologies, globalization, and growing customer demands, manufacturing is also reshaping thanks to the addition of women leaders to the workforce.
In this blog, we’re looking at female leadership in manufacturing and honoring how they make the industry a better place for all.
A slow road with promising results
Women have excelled at paving their way to break into manufacturing. Their journey has been slow and bumpy. They had to break rules to set new ones. They had to move past stereotypes and stigmas. They had to redefine what a woman’s role can encompass in our society.
Today, they make up 29% of the manufacturing workforce, according to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). That represents a total of 3.77 million workers—a new milestone for manufacturing female employment reached in 2023.
Still, only 17% reach executive positions (based on findings from Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute). In that percentile, women leaders in manufacturing have been more likely to prioritize sustainability, social responsibility, and talent development than their male counterparts.
And guess what? That’s not all a woman-led organization can offer. Another study on women in the workplace by McKinsey and LeanIn.org concluded that companies with more gender diversity in leadership are 21% more likely to outperform their peers on profitability and 27% more likely to create superior value for shareholders.
It sounds like we should not only hire women but also empower them to pursue careers in this field and reach high-ranking positions.
Yes, she can—women leadership in manufacturing
Women break barriers and drive diversity in the manufacturing sector.
Women bring fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and inclusive cultures.
Women challenge the status quo, inspire the next generation, and create positive impacts for their organizations and communities.
How do they do it?
Just look at these four women trailblazers whose efforts made the manufacturing industry excel:
Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors: Meet the first woman to head a major automaker—one of the ‘Big Three’ nonetheless. Mary Barra has been leading GM since 2014 with ambition, talent, and relying on technology to fulfill a vision of zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion. She has also overseen the development and launch of innovative vehicles and technologies, such as the Chevrolet Bolt EV and the Cruise autonomous driving system. Her work has been recognized multiple times, including a feature on the cover of Time's “100 Most Influential People in the World,” being elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2018, and receiving the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute’s Legend in Leadership Award in 2018. Undisputably, she’s an inspiration for anyone who wants to make a positive impact on the world.
Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM: Here’s an inspiring leader who made history as the first woman to head IBM. She transformed the company by reinventing 50% of its portfolio, building a $25 billion hybrid cloud business, and establishing IBM’s leadership in AI and quantum computing. She also championed diversity and inclusion, education and skills, and technology ethics, driving record results by supporting the innovative high school program, P-TECH, to prepare the workforce of the future in more than twenty-eight countries. She retired from IBM in 2020 after a remarkable 39-year career.
Reshmi Paul, founder and CEO of Axiom Materials: Besides developing a novel composite material that is used in aerospace, defense, and medical applications, she has a PhD in clinical psychology, an MBA from INSEAD, and an MSc in economics from the London School of Economics. She is also a partner at ghSMART, a leadership consulting firm, where she co-leads the CEO succession planning practice. Reshmi is known for empowering women and green energy. And, as if she didn’t have enough on her plate, she also serves on the boards of BluWave-ai and Trickle Up. The latter is a nonprofit helping to pave the way for women in extreme poverty.
Jennifer Rumsey, president and COO of Cummins: Kudos to the first woman to lead Cummins since it was founded in 1919, Jennifer Rumsey. Her role implies overseeing the global operations of the leading manufacturer of engines and power systems. She builds high-performing, diverse teams and brings innovations to customers, maximizing their opportunities for success.
How can you support women in manufacturing?
As a man and CEO of an automation consulting firm that is also a minority supplier for the manufacturing sector, I’m encouraged to share these five tips to include women and diversify our industries.
Recognize and celebrate the contributions of women leaders in your organization. Give them feedback, recognition, and opportunities for growth.
Mentor and sponsor women who aspire to advance in their careers. Share your expertise, network, and resources with them.
Promote a culture of inclusion and respect in your workplace. Address any biases or harassment that may affect women’s performance or well-being.
Encourage more girls and young women to explore STEM fields and manufacturing careers. Show them the possibilities and benefits of working in this industry.
Join or support organizations that advocate for women in manufacturing. Learn from their best practices, events, and resources.
That’s it from me.
Should you have any questions, reach out to me here.
