Women in manufacturing: A day in the life at Cargill

 

Did you know women around the world are significantly underrepresented in manufacturing? 

Even though they make up almost half of the global workforce, women hold only 29% of jobs in this sector, according to the World Economic Forum’s latest Global Gender Gap Report. And when it comes to leadership, the numbers are even smaller — just 25%.

It’s a stark reminder of the gender gap that still exists today, fueled by long-standing biases and fewer opportunities for women to step into these roles.

We’re working to change that. We know diverse teams in our plants create better solutions, drive innovation and lead to stronger results for our customers. That’s why we’re committed to closing the gender gap in our operations, through programs like our Global Women in Operations initiative.

Every day, women like Joanna Przewlocka, Katrina Robertson, Mudakala Smiley and Ana Elisa Victor Silva are leading by example. Not only do they help keep our facilities running smoothly around the world, but they also show what’s possible when barriers are broken. 

Let’s take a look at a typical day in their lives.

 

8:03 a.m.: Checking in with the team

Joanna Przewlocka is the site manager at our starches, sweeteners, and texturizers plant in Poland. It may be early, but Joanna Przewlocka is already on the move at Cargill’s starches, sweeteners and texturizers plant in Bielany, Poland. 

You can find her shaking hands and greeting teammates at the plant, which produces starches, proteins, ethanol and animal feed ingredients. 

As the site manager, Joanna begins each day catching up with her teammates before the 8:30 a.m. meeting. On the agenda: safety, plant updates and the top priorities for the day.

“We do that, then it’s boots on the ground,” says Joanna.

After the meeting, Joanna is off to other areas of the plant to check on operations. Her focus is on safety, asking things like, "How are the operators doing? Are they wearing the right gear?" 

But Joanna’s approach isn’t about catching people off guard — it’s about coaching and supporting her team to create a positive and engaging work environment, she explains.

In short, she says, “The plant is a comfortable place to be.”

 

11:42 a.m.: Getting ready to welcome a customer on-site

Katrina Robertson (left) during a customer visit to our plant in Schuyler, Nebraska.

Katrina Robertson is prepping for an upcoming customer visit. 

As the general manager at our beef facility in Schuyler, Nebraska, Katrina knows these visits are a big deal and involve a lot of teamwork.

When the customer arrives, Katrina and her team give them a tour, starting with an overview of Cargill and the plant. “We operate like a mini city,” Katrina says, adding that the 166-acre plant employs 2,200 people, some of whom have been there for over 35 years.

After the tour, Katrina makes sure the customer has hard hats and steel-toed boots for a walk through the production floor. The visit ends with a meal — ribeye steaks, of course — prepared right there at the plant. 

“As the general manager, I consider myself to be in the people business, not the beef business,” Katrina says. “There are many departments here helping oversee the 2,200 folks at the plant — operations, manufacturing, food safety. I help ensure we do it together as a team.”

 

2:20 p.m.: Continuous improvement — from the plant floor to the office 

Mudakala Smiley is a production officer at our aqua feed manufacturing plant in India. Mudakala Smiley — who goes by Smiley — has finished analyzing the day’s volume data and is now on the plant floor, putting plans into action. 

As a production officer at our aqua feed manufacturing plant in India, Smiley helps ensure the facility’s equipment is efficient, effective and safe. 

She’s all about continuous improvement — finding ways to save time and money, even if it means saving just a minute of downtime. That means Smiley works closely with supervisors, contract workers and her team to ensure everyone is on the same page with their improvement plans.

“I always like to review my performance, too — where can I improve?” Smiley says, reflecting her commitment to growth and development. “I have a lot to learn.” 

In fact, as the youngest leader on her team, Smiley is always learning. She spends time each afternoon on training, reviewing her performance and reflecting on how she can grow her career at Cargill.

“I thought this career path would be a lonely journey, with not many women on it, and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep going for long,” Smiley says. “But instead, I found a very diverse, inclusive and supportive environment at Cargill, where I feel I belong and where I can pursue career growth.”

 

4:45 p.m.: A public face outside the plant

Ana Elisa Victor Silva is the port manager at our Port of Santarém in Brazil. Nine years ago, Ana Elisa Victor Silva started at Cargill as an intern at Brazil’s Port of Santarém, where we transport grains produced in Brazil to feed different parts of the world. Today, she’s the port manager.

That means Ana Elisa’s afternoons are often busy — checking in with maintenance, production and safety teams. 

But this afternoon, she doesn’t stay at the port. She’s meeting with local officials, like those at the nearby naval base and city hall. Since the port is a public space, it’s crucial to have strong relationships with local authorities, she says.

When she returns to her office, Ana Elisa is already looking forward to what tomorrow will bring. 

“Every day is different,” Ana Elisa says. “One day we’re solving a big problem, and the next we’re celebrating our successes. My days never look the same.”

Inspired by these stories? Discover more about how Cargill is empowering women in operations and explore opportunities to join our team. 

 

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