As the integration program manager at Tessy Plastics Corp., Fiona Reid leads a cross-functional team of professionals for new and existing customer projects and ensures project completions from planning to delivery.
Reid led the team to transfer an empty, 400,000-square-foot warehouse to a certified medical manufacturing facility with several ISO Class 8 clean rooms for the custom injection molder and contract manufacturer based in Skaneateles, N.Y.
"Fiona was a critical part of one of the largest and most important projects in Tessy history," said Judson Vann, vice president of sales for Tessy. "There were thousands of people involved and millions of moving parts, all of which she was a part of managing. We could not have done this as a Tessy team without her partnership and leadership."
Vann said Reid is a hands-on program manager "who likes to hold people accountable for ensuring Tessy and our customers stay successful."
Reid started in the industry as an assistant to the plant manager. "Fiona fell into manufacturing as her first job was with a manufacturer who was a key employer in [a] small town in Scotland," said Vann.
She keeps herself educated in advancements in camera systems and CT scanners/X-ray machines during manufacturing.
"Fiona prides herself on constantly learning, professional development, personal improvement and continuing professional achievements. … She [is] the mold that we consider while considering what it takes to be successful at Tessy," Vann said.
Q: Who is your mentor or someone you look up to?
Vann, on behalf of Reid: Fiona's mentor was her "mum." She worked incredibly hard her entire life and taught [her] if something comes to you easily, it's not worth having. Earning everything you have is the greatest reward.
Q: What's an accomplishment of yours that most people don't know about, either for work or in your personal life?
Vann, on behalf of Reid: Very similar to many other team members at Tessy, Fiona immigrated to the USA to continue her career in the plastics industry. This was a large and difficult decision that she did not take lightly. In the end, she knows that she did what was best for her family and does not look back on her decision.
Q: What advice would you give to a person considering a career in the plastics industry?
Vann, on behalf of Reid: Don't hesitate! There is much more to it than just "plastics." The field is very interesting and there is a huge amount of technology to work with. Find a place like Tessy that only considers technically challenging work and invests in what is needed to make their customers successful and you'll never look back.