Kim Witte started her plastics industry career at Dart Container, where she spent 10 years as a district sales representative and then corporate account manager.
"When I became a corporate account manager, my career trajectory completely changed. I felt an increased sense of ownership in my work and was entrusted with some of the most important client relationships at the companies I worked for," said Witte, who began her education at Miami University in Ohio before transferring to the University of Kentucky, where she earned a bachelor's degree in finance and marketing.
"I appreciated working for a privately held company, especially their ability to recognize hard work and promote their employees internally," she said. "Having worked with various plastic manufacturing products, I am very passionate about educating our customers with factual information regarding resins, sustainability and the end life of our products."
Witte said the "very technical and important" plastics industry is often misrepresented with false narratives but added it is a "continuously evolving industry that will be exciting to watch as new resins and manufacturing processes are developed to keep pace with the changing demands of our customers and an evolving regulatory environment."
Now director of sales for foodservice at Heritage Bag, a Novolex brand, Witte said being promoted to a director role was a career achievement of hers. "I am honored to work as an industry leader in plastics manufacturing by providing packaging solutions to our customers," she said.
Witte manages relationships with some of the company's largest customers, oversees and directs programs, facilitates marketing initiatives and drives sole-source purchases, "ultimately leading us to be in ever better positions with our wide variety of customers."
"I have had the pleasure of working for amazing companies and leadership along the way," she said. "My colleagues in the plastics sector have helped me feel fulfilled in my career and encouraged me to stay within the same industry. It's a close-knit community and, through industry events, I've had valuable networking opportunities and the chance to grow alongside other plastics professionals."
Witte also is a member of the ISSA Hygieia Network, which provides education, mentorship and support programs to help women in the cleaning and facility solutions industry succeed.
"My greatest achievement is having my two daughters watch me pursue my career," she said. "I am proud that I have been able to provide for them while also being there for them as a mom. The example I set is the mindset that you can 'do it all' while still balancing your priorities if you focus your energies at the right times."