When Joelle Rhiner first started at Bamberger Amco Polymers, she was hired as an account specialist and focused on not only learning the role but also her assigned sales representatives' customer portfolios.
She went into the role not knowing anything about the plastics industry, but she had an extensive background in customer service and has since been able to expand her knowledge and career within the customer service department.
"I was eager to learn the knowledge about supply chain and the plastics industry since it is so widely used in all types of applications across so many different fields," said Rhiner, who has also worked as an account specialist team lead, where she was the first point of escalation for the team on day-to-day processes, then customer service supervisor.
While account specialist, Rhiner received two sales support excellence awards alongside her sellers who were recognized for outstanding performance and metrics.
"My greatest achievement has been being promoted to customer service supervisor and being able to thrive in an industry I knew nothing about when I started in it. The culture, environment and support that I have been exposed to has helped me utilize my skill sets and continues to challenge me to be my best," she said.
Rhiner serves as a resource for the customer service team and internal stakeholders, leads the customer service team to execute key performance indicators and review metrics, and collaborates with leadership in implementing company objectives. She also conducts interviewing, hiring, onboarding and training.
Bamberger Polymers and Amco Polymers merged in March, and Rhiner's current challenge has been adjusting and building new relationships while focusing on the long-term goals of the company.
"The personal mold that I am breaking is that it doesn't matter if you do not have knowledge of the specific industry or company that you start working for," she said. "With hard work, determination and focus, you can still be successful in whatever you put your mind to. I knew nothing about plastics when I started, and here I am 10 years later, still here, and still learning and growing within the industry."