Yasmin Bin Walid’s Cross-Functional Journey in the Manufacturing Leadership Program
Yasmin's Journey highlights our commitment at Ferrara® to break down silos and foster collaboration across apartments, and encouraging our employees to develop diverse skills and explore the paths best suited to their goals.
Short Description of Yasmin Bin Walid's Ferrara Journey
- Hired in Summer 2022 after graduation. Hired into Manufacturing Leadership Program
- 1st rotation 31st street CI Specialist
- 2nd rotation Itasca Warehouse Supervisor
- Forest Park Project – revamp SAP project unofficial. New system implementation
- 3rd rotation Bellwood CI Specialist
- Like all the manufacturing sites for different reasons. Feels like a family, food is incredible at 31st street.
Q&A With Yasmin
Q: Can you share a bit about your initial role at Ferrara and what drew you to the company? What drew you to the manufacturing function/CPG industry, and how did you know this was the right fit for your skills and passion?
YBW: I have a background in Chemical Engineering, but being so early in my career I didn’t want to commit to a field without experience. The rotation aspect of the MLP program at Ferrara really drew me in because it allowed me to experience different manufacturing sites and work with completely different functions.
During the interview process, I was also impressed by how invested and passionate everyone was about the program, from my first phone call with the recruiting team to the interviews with all the Plant Directors I could tell how dedicated the company was to this kind of career development.
Additionally, the CPG industry is an exciting space that keeps me on my toes with constant competition and innovation. Being part of a company that’s always evolving with technology and supply chain advancements was a major draw to both the industry and Ferrara. The fact that Ferrara is located in the city, especially for manufacturing, is also a great plus!
Q: What were some of the key milestones/Ferrara programs that impacted your career journey?
YBW: Personal milestone was finishing my rotation as warehouse supervisor. I built connections across the company.
Q: Can you share a memorable moment or achievement at Ferrara that stands out in your career journey? How has Ferrara supported your career growth, and what resources/opportunities or programs have been most impactful for you?
YBW: A personal milestone for me at Ferrara was finishing my rotation as a Warehouse Supervisor at Itasca. I built so many connections across the company and across functions and it was an unmatchable developmental experience.
My favorite thing about Ferrara is the developmental and networking opportunities that are available. The Shamrock leadership training, SweetPair mentor program and the Lunch and Learns are a few programs that have been incredibly impactful in teaching me how to be a better leader. The constant opportunities to connect with other employees across Ferrara and participate in workshops and training have been really important to me, especially so early in my career.
I really like how Ferrara invests in giving everyone visibility into how the rest of the company operates, I feel like breaking down that Silo mentality and having that visibility is how we operate better as a company.
The BRGs (Business Resource Groups) have also been a great opportunity to connect with people around the company and develop relationships. There are so many great opportunities to engage and grow.
Q: Anything you are excited for in the next steps of your career?
YBW: Ferrara really encourages employees to develop their interests and promotes working cross-functionally, offering visibility across departments and functions. Constantly engaging with people and seeing the business through different lenses has been a fantastic growth opportunity.
