Roxanne Siebeneck was a single parent looking to start a new career seven years ago. Although there were no job openings posted, she sent her resume to automotive supplier Continental Structural Plastics Inc. in hopes of getting in front of someone.
She researched the company and followed up "relentlessly," she said. Siebeneck eventually interviewed at CSP and ended up joining its human resources department.
"When I started, I was looking for an 'opportunity' to make a new start for myself," she said. "It has by no means been easy, but I have worked very hard to move progressively through the organization. Not only have I built the foundation for a solid career path, but I have also found my passion."
Siebeneck has held titles such as human resources specialist and assistant human resources manager. In 2016, she was promoted to human resources manager in Carey, Ohio.
She was selected in 2018-20 to participate in the Jump Leadership Program for enhancing systematic management knowledge and application methods, strategic thinking and networking. She brought a 600-employee facility up to 1,000 hourly employees through job fairs, recruiting emails, cold calls and on-the-spot interviews. Siebeneck also developed and implemented a new training process to identify the training needs of new employees and the overall new-hire experience.
"I became interested in the plastics industry after learning more about the lightweighting composite material processes and their capabilities. Specifically, the significant impact that structural composites have made on the automotive industry by increasing fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions," she said. "This technology contributes to the organization's environmental stewardship responsibilities by minimizing the creation of wastes and pollution in the environment."
Siebeneck has an associate degree in legal assisting and a bachelor's degree in business management, which she pursued in 2007, from the University of Findlay in Ohio.
"As a single parent, I was most concerned about time constraints and adding additional responsibilities to my life, while raising two children alone and working full time. ... I diligently enrolled in 16 credit hours each semester, except for the last semester, which I enrolled in 20 credit hours," she said. "I was able to complete the 24-month program in 18 months and graduated with honors."
Siebeneck said the best advice she's received is to be your own champion: "No one is going to do it for you!"
Siebeneck was nominated by Kim Zitny, director of global communications for CSP.
Q: What is your personal "mold" that you are breaking?
Siebeneck: I believe that I am breaking the mold by leading by example and with purpose. My goal is to reshape the company's culture by always keeping our values in sight and promoting positivity, trust, and integrity. Women bring a different perspective to projects and the overall organizational approach. This is [an] invaluable asset in a male-dominated industry.
Q: What has been the biggest impact or challenge on your career from the coronavirus pandemic?
Siebeneck: The biggest impact on my career from the coronavirus pandemic resulted from the organization having to take a humanitarian approach and prioritize the well-being of our employees as "people," as opposed to just employee/workers. As a company, we were forced to take a deliberate approach on how we would address inequities at all locations, both remotely and onsite. This approach created a "team" culture, which was mindful of the effects on each employee's varying experience(s), which will not soon be forgotten.
Q: What is your current challenge at work?
Siebeneck: My current challenge at work has been trying to restaff our plant to fill the manpower gaps created because of the coronavirus pandemic and continued unemployment bonus and stimulus payments. We have negotiated a higher competitive wage and are offering incentives; however, so are the other companies that are also struggling with manpower. I expect the labor shortage to fade as COVID-19 cases decline, more people receive vaccinations, schools reopen and extra unemployment benefits expire.