In her own words: Amanda Tucker, Quality Specialist, PTR Tool and Plastics
What or who fueled your interest in manufacturing?
I was working at a nursing home making minimum wage with no stability or room to grow. My mom could see my struggles and suggested that I apply at a local manufacturing facility.
What is your current role in manufacturing?
I am a quality specialist, so I oversee daily functions in the Quality Department such as managing all customer complaints from start to finish; providing data to our engineering department for any de-bug that may need to be made; interact with customers regarding, annual validations and PPAP; overseeing the creation and revision changes to all control plans, leading development of capability studies; quality planning and statistical analysis; file material records; auditing; continuous improvement; and so much more.
Describe your path to get to where you are today.
I graduated high school and did what every teen thinks is the next move and went off to College. I wanted to be a RN. I went to school for 2 years and got all my general studies out of the way and dropped out. School was not for me, but neither was working minimum wage. My mom was disappointed with my decision because like so many of us are forced to believe going to college was the only way to succeed. I applied at my first shop and was hired as an operator. I had no idea what to expect I was going into uncharted territories and I wanted to quit after my 2nd night, but that was not an option I had rent to pay, car payment, car insurance etc. and I was making decent money. After 2 weeks as an operator I moved up to a team leader roll, then lead team leader, then a posting for quality came out everyone said oh you should apply well what do I have to lose? So I applied, took the entry level test and passed. I was offered a quality position and accepted. I worked as a quality tech for 8years before landing at my current place of employment. I had made it very clear in my interview that I had knowledge but I wanted to go further. After about a year I was offered a position as the PPAP Coordinator. After about a year of doing PPAPs my boss decided to walk out one day. I thought about it for a couple days and decided to reach out to our ownership and asked that they give me a chance to fill this roll. I will say that I had absolutely no idea what I was signing up for or what I was doing. All I knew was failing was NOT an option. I spent days and weeks googling and watching you tube videos. I was not trained for any of this and I was really regretting opening my mouth. I failed a couple times but I learned from those mistakes and proceeded. I have currently been in my role for 3years and with my company for 5 years. I appreciate them giving me the chance to learn and grow and thankful for the determination that my parents instilled in me as a child.
What is your Superpower?
My superpower would be that I am amiable and enduring under pressure.
Why is your role important to others – like to customers or end users?
My role is important to customers for resolution to any concerns that they might have. I am the key point to helping the customer solve their quality issues.
What do you think the future holds for your career or others you inspire?
I am still growing and learning in my current role, but for my career path I want to move into a Quality Manager/Director role and grow ever further with the ability to teach, guide, or coach others. With even the possibility to help other companies implement a QMS or help failing companies make the right moves to succeed.
