As part of International Women’s Day (learn more), Stanadyne is recognizing members of our female workforce that drive our company’s success every day. Gayathri KS and Chiara Bertuzzi are great examples of individuals helping our company create an exceptional customer experience and best-in class quality, reliability, delivery, and service. Leaders like Gayathri and Chiara bind our company together through integrity, mutual respect, honesty, and transparency.Gayathri is Head of Human Resources and General Affairs for Stanadyne’s Middle East operations located in Sharjah, UAE. She has a degree in engineering and a master’s in Business Administration. Chiara is a Buyer for Stanadyne S.p.A. located in Brescia, Italy.
Here are their answers to a few questions regarding career paths as leaders in the automotive and manufacturing industries.
What is your role / responsibility with the company?
Gayathri: Currently, I handle a plant with 80 employees. As a Human Resources Lead, I take responsibility for introducing and maintaining high standards within the Human Resources team. My key roles include developing company policies, recruiting and training new staff, managing payrolls, PRO function, and providing advice on employee rights and responsibilities. My goal is to ensure our employee’s work experience is a positive one and they have a chance to grow and thrive within our company. I am passionate about developing people and creating cultures of excellence, which is why I chose a career in HR.
Chiara: At Stanadyne SpA, I have a dual role. On one hand I am the buyer in charge of all our suppliers of direct material. At the same time, I’m also the production planner in charge of all production departments schedules.
What is your proudest career achievement?
Gayathri: I am especially proud of hiring more than 55 employees during the peak of COVID-19 to support business expansion. My passion for recruitment and talent management enabled me to find the right candidates for our organization, despite a challenging economic environment. Furthermore, I was able to ensure all our employees are 100 percent vaccinated against COVID-19. It was an incredibly challenging time for recruitment, but I was determined to make sure my team had the resources they needed in order to remain healthy and protect themselves from the virus. I also am proud of navigating the government regulations during lockdown and facilitating the smooth functioning of our plant during those challenging times.
Chiara: I think that my proudest career achievement is to have gained, year after year, the respect and the trust of both suppliers and colleagues – especially those who work directly in production departments. As you might imagine, it is not a given that a young female voice is really respected, taken under consideration, or accepted in our male dominated industry.
What is your proudest personal achievement?
Gayathri: My proudest personal achievements include managing large-scale projects with success, mentoring new team members, and spearheading initiatives that improved employee engagement in my organization. Above all, I feel a sense of accomplishment when I am able to set an example for other women to strive for success in their respective fields.
Chiara: I started working at Stanadyne in 2014 while studying at the university. At that time, I did not have a clear vision of my future. While working at Stanadyne, I have reached some of the most important achievements in my personal life. I graduated, rented an apartment by myself, then bought a house and coordinated its renovation. I honestly believe my job helped me to develop some of the skills that allowed me to achieve all these goals – like scrupulousness, determination, and independence.
What led you to explore a career path with an automotive / manufacturing company?
Gayathri: It was my passion for cars and the automotive industry that led me to explore a career path with an automotive / manufacturing company. My journey has taken me from being an engineering student to working in the human resources department at several different companies within the sector. Through hard work, dedication, and resilience, I have been able to build up a successful career in this field.
Chiara: I started at Stanadyne as a simple intern, while studying foreign languages and literature at the university. I didn’t have any mechanical background and I didn’t really know that much about the manufacturing world. I have always thought I would become a professor. Then one night, one of my father’s friends came to dinner. He started talking about his job as marketing director in an automotive company here in Brescia. I remember him speaking with such a passion about the dynamics of his daily tasks. His passion triggered my curiosity and my interest. I think it was that moment when I decided to explore the manufacturing world.
What words of advice, guidance, or inspiration would you share with women exploring their career options and opportunities?
Gayathri: Stay inspired and motivated at all times. Learning something new every day is key to staying ahead of the competition. Always strive for excellence. Additionally, it is important to uphold professional ethics and values that shape your career path, while never compromising on your principles or integrity in any situation.
Chiara: Believe in yourself and always work hard. Be passionate in what you are doing because passion is one of the key ingredients that leads to success. Always be modest and humble. Don’t pretend to know everything and don’t be afraid to ask questions to your co-workers and your supervisor. Finally, be curious… you never stop learning!
