Women in the workplace: Richela Blignault

In South Africa, August is National Women’s Month. In honour of the women who work at PG Bison, we’re taking this opportunity to profile some of them. In this post, we chat to Richela Blignault, Procurement Manager at PG Bison’s Ugie board plant.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am the procurement manager at PG Bison’s Ugie board plant. I’ve been with PG Bison since 2006; I started with the company in Boksburg and have been in my current position for eight years. In my spare time I enjoy being with my bull terriers and propagating succulents – we keep busy out here in the bush!

What are some of your highlights and challenges of being a woman working in the manufacturing sector?

I am the only woman who is the head of a department at the Ugie plant. There are six people at our plant who report to me, and our team’s job is to keep the plant running without any problems. My department now has a maintenance spares store to the value of over R40 million, and we’re only seven people who look after it. So that’s quite an achievement for my team and I to have under our belts.

I obviously didn’t start out in this position and sometimes it’s been challenging to be the only women working with all the men, but I don’t stand back for anyone. We find ways to sort out our disagreements. It is nice to see more women coming up in the workplace and I look forward to seeing more.

What gets you up in the morning?

I always get excited about how things can always be improved especially in procurement – and I like to always look at how to continuously improve. I often ask, “How could we do better in the store to become more efficient?” I think that’s a bit of a passion for me.

What words of encouragement do you have for other women?

I would always say that if you see an opportunity, especially in the workplace, raise your hand. You can always go for it. If you persist at it, you’ll get there. Don’t stand back, give it your all.