Women in the workplace: Sandra Majam

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 Sandra Majam, the supply chain planner at PG Bison.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am the supply chain planner for PG Bison and have been with the company for 28 years. I started out at the Boksburg site, and I’ve come full circle to be based back here now. In between I spent time at the Alrode and Germiston sites.

I’m responsible for production planning for all the sites – that includes looking at the raw materials that we require. I also do the inventory planning for the different warehouses. I work closely with my colleagues who are responsible for freight planning and importing the raw materials for our processes.

I started out as a PA to the production manager, and then I saw an opportunity when the then- production planner was going on retirement and I asked him to give me a chance. From there, I worked my way up to where I find myself today.

I am part of a very big, loving and crazy family. I am blessed with an amazing husband and three fantastic kids whom I am very proud of. What makes me thrive is family life. I love good food and I love good music.

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

It’s mostly a man’s world in the manufacturing business and even within my scope 90 to 95% of the people I work with are men. We get along and I’m able to communicate well with them. I’m lucky in that I’ve never had any issues where I could say I was disrespected or otherwise; they listen to what I think and suggest.

I enjoy the challenges that come with the daily manufacturing environment – it’s different every day. It’s nice to work with different people and different processes. Having been in this company for so long, I’m also familiar with the things and people in my sector, and that brings a level of comfort for me in my job.

What gets you up in the morning?

I enjoy coming to work, and I enjoy it largely because I’m part of a team that is supported by a phenomenal manager; he keeps us motivated and grounded. He supports and respects our team.

I also love coming to work because I feel like we are one big family in our department. We work hard and we play hard – that’s our motto. When we were working from home, we got so used to that, but now that we come into the office again it’s not a burden because we have an awesome team and our office is often filled with lots of laughter.

I’m in a good space in my life and I have a lot to be grateful to PG Bison for. I raised a family and grew as a person during my time in this company, which is good. I think many people can’t say the same, so I consider myself very blessed. Sometimes we just go to work because we must and, yes, we have to work, but if you can be happy at work as well then you have lots to be thankful for.

What words of encouragement do you have for other women?

I would say, be your best. Work hard. I think as women we do have to do a lot more to prove that we are capable. But I think we, the woman of today, are strong. If I look at the generation that’s coming in now, women are more independent, stronger, more assertive, more proactive and go-getters. So, I think the era for woman in the work environment is really strengthening. Women are a force to reckon with.