How entry-level opportunities, mentorship, and teamwork are empowering the next generation of women leading our manufacturing operations.
Across manufacturing, leadership looks different than it used to – and women are increasingly stepping into those roles. For many, the path begins on the production floor, shaped by practical experience, learning opportunities, and the support of the teams around them.
At our Walker Drive plant in Brampton, Ontario, this evolution is reflected in the careers of three Production Supervisors: Bibi Khan, Coreen Muise, and Mandhir Kahlon. Each began in an entry-level role and advanced by learning the work directly on the line, taking on new responsibilities, and developing the judgment needed to guide teams in a fast-moving environment. Their trajectories illustrate how manufacturing careers are becoming more accessible – and how women are finding meaningful opportunities to advance as these pathways expand.
Bibi Khan: Advancing Through Cross-Functional Learning and New Challenges
Bibi joined our organization in 2007 as a general labourer at the Maple Leaf Consumer Foods plant and steadily moved through roles in central control, processing, machine operation, and eventually into a lead hand position. In 2022, her leadership was recognized when she was encouraged to become a Production Supervisor, overseeing the production of both raw and cooked products.
Her move into the Further Processed Poultry (FPP) department the following year required her to learn an entirely new set of processes. “It was more of a challenge, trying to seek knowledge and learning as I went along in my new role,” she says. That willingness to step into unfamiliar work and build capability quickly has shaped much of her career.
Bibi credits the team around her for helping her grow. “If something isn't done correctly, I'm always provided with helpful feedback and pointed out where I've made a mistake, so I can learn and improve my skills,” she explains. She also sees how diverse perspectives strengthen problem-solving, noting that “these diverse voices lead to better progress and a shared passion for higher quality work.”
Her message to young women considering manufacturing is direct: “Seek knowledge, embrace mentorship, and don’t be afraid of responsibility. Follow your dreams. Manufacturing isn’t just a man’s job.”
Coreen Muise: Building Technical Depth and Leading Through Process Expertise
Coreen’s introduction to manufacturing began in 2008, thanks to a friend who encouraged her to apply to Maple Leaf Foods. Drawn to the fast-paced, hands-on environment of manufacturing, she has since spent nearly two decades at Walker Drive. Over that time, she developed strong technical depth through roles, including Formax Operator, Least Cost Formulation Specialist, and Oven Operator, before moving into a Production Supervisor role in 2018, and then into the Further Processed Poultry Blending Supervisor role in 2024.
Her responsibilities today span planning, coordination, and day-to-day problem-solving – preparing formulation sheets, ensuring ingredients and raw materials are ready, overseeing inventory counts, and leading a team of six on the 2 A.M. shift. The pace of the work and the constant variation are part of what keeps her invested in the role.
Mentorship from other women at the plant has been a central source of support throughout her career. “These wonderful women have taught me a lot of skills, like how to be patient and empathetic with myself, and others,” she says. “I always know that I can speak openly without fear of any judgement.”
Coreen is also clear-eyed about the stereotypes that persist around women in manufacturing. Her advice to others entering the field is straightforward: “Be confident, stand your ground, and never be afraid to take risks.” And when confronted with bias, she doesn’t hesitate: “If someone says to you, ‘you can’t do a job because you’re a woman’ – prove them wrong.”
Her career reflects how technical expertise, steady development, and strong mentorship can build leadership strength in complex operational environments – and why manufacturing continues to draw people in and keep them growing.
Mandhir Kahlon: Early Entry, Steady Skill Growth, and Team-Focused Leadership
Mandhir started at Walker Drive right out of high school in 2007, taking a part-time role on the production floor. What began as an entry-level job quickly turned into a long-term career as she learned new machines, took on different responsibilities, and developed an understanding of how production operates at a practical level. Over time, she progressed from Lead Hand to Production Coordinator and eventually into her current role as Production Supervisor.
For Mandhir, the team environment has been the strongest influence on her leadership. “My team on the floor is amazing – they always support me, and we work together to make sure production runs smoothly,” she says. She believes communication and teamwork are essential to creating a safe, positive environment where people can do their best work.
She points to the mentorship she received from managers and coworkers as a consistent source of encouragement – support that helped her expand her skills and step into new challenges. Seeing more women across production roles has also shaped her leadership perspective. “It’s inspiring to see so many women working in different areas of production. We all bring unique strengths and perspectives, and we support each other to succeed,” she says.
Mandhir’s path shows how early opportunities, steady skill growth, and a strong team culture can help women build leadership capability in manufacturing.
Opening More Doors in Manufacturing
The trajectories of Bibi, Coreen, and Mandhir remind us that when development pathways are visible and supported, more people move into roles where they can lead – and more women see a future for themselves in manufacturing. For us, that’s the work ahead: continuing to make growth achievable, widening the routes into leadership, and ensuring our teams have the support they need to advance.
That’s how we build a stronger, more resilient manufacturing workforce, one career at a time.
