In her own words: Marissa Pluta, Quality Coordinator, Beverage-Air
What or who fueled your interest in manufacturing?
The idea of working with my hands and creating a product is something I strongly enjoy. Seeing the finished product in which I helped to create gives me a sense of accomplishment as well. I have always been a hands-on type of learner so, when I was looking for a career path I knew that this would be a perfect fit for me.
What is your current role in manufacturing?
Quality Coordinator – I create work instructions and implement 5S for all operations across the manufacturing plant.
Describe your path to get to where you are today.
I started my career at Beverage-Air in October 2017. I started as a cleaner on the assembly lines. My role was to prepare a cabinet so that it was clean and presentable to the customer. I strived to learn every station we had on the line. I was moved to a new line that was installed and helped to train the new people that were hired for this line. When Covid-19 hit in early 2020 work was slow but we continued on as an essential business. So, in March 2020 I was moved to a new line that I was unfamiliar with and quickly learned how to build the cabinets they assembled there. In August 2020 I got promoted to Team Leader on one of the assembly lines where I was in charge of a team of 14 employees and ensured our line ran smoothly and efficiently so that we hit our target number for the day. Most recently I was promoted to Quality Coordinator where I am implementing 5S throughout the entire plant and create work instructions for every station and process we have.
What is your Superpower?
My attention to detail is something that I take pride in. Having a place for everything and having everything in its place not only helps me but it also helps the business.
Why is your role important to others – like to customers or end users?
In my role I help deliver tools and processes so that items are exactly where they are needed, when they are needed and so that anytime a process may be forgotten, the documentation is readily available to help aid those that have questions. I provide them the answers and guides to help them and ensure that a process is done correctly and the same way every single time.
What do you think the future holds for your career or others you inspire?
I am a very visual and hands-on learner so I knew that a career in manufacturing would be a perfect fit for me. Knowing that my actions do not go unrecognized is also a huge part as to why I try my hardest to achieve every goal and complete every task that is given to me. My future is as bright as I make it. I do not let anything hold me back from being the best version of me that I can be. If someone tells me I cannot, I will show them that I can.
