IWD 2024: Unilever spotlights women accelerating factory growth and operational excellence

Recognising The United Nations International Women’s Day theme for 2024 is ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress’, Unilever spoke to some of its inspirational women working in its factories across the UK & Ireland and asked them to share more about the projects they lead, their passion for investing in women and what advice they would give to their younger selves.

We highlight three women working across food manufacturing:

1. Bianca Tatarjenschi, laboratory manager at an ice cream factory in Gloucester
2. Maya Parmar, process engineer at the food hub and factory in Burton-Upon-Trent
3. Camila Monteiro, food safety specialist & quality lead at a factory in Cork.

Bianca Tatarjenschi, laboratory manager at an ice cream factory in Gloucester, is a member of the quality management team who is responsible for the safe and effective running of the laboratory function. Additionally, she provides technical advice and support to the factory, leading improvements in all aspects of quality.

“For me, ‘Investing in women’ means providing equal opportunities to women in all fields, achieving gender equality,” notes Tatarjenschi. “One piece of advice I would give to my younger self is to allow yourself to make mistakes.”

Maya Parmar, process engineer at the food hub and factory in Burton-Upon-Trent has a job that involves data analysis and implementation of focussed improvement ideas. Her proudest achievement in the past year has been working with her team to drive the efficiency of the Hellmann’s production line.

“Investing in women to me means investing in those who previously may have never had the chance of equal opportunity,” Parmar adds. “This investment is beneficial and helps women build a stronger future with inclusivity at the forefront. It gives a voice to those who may have previously been overlooked and to me that means we are able to achieve more.”

When asked of the single piece of advice she’d give her younger self, Parmar says it would be to keep persevering.

“I know how daunting you found it in year 9 when you walked into that classroom full of future engineering students and saw that you were the only girl in there,” Tatarjenschi recalls. “I’m proud of you for not walking straight back out that door. Instead, you told yourself you wanted this, and you were going to get it regardless of the adversities you may face. Enjoy the journey. You will get there.”

Camila Monteiro, food safety specialist & quality lead at a factory in Cork, has a role overseeing both the food safety and quality governance of on-site operations. She also manages the third-party quality control laboratory, responsible for quality control audits.

“For me, investing in women means giving us opportunity to growth, empowering progress for all,” Monteiro asserts.

When asked how she would advise her younger self when something doesn’t go as planned, she says: “Don’t panic. That’s exactly how it’s supposed to be and if keep doing the hard work, it will all be worth it.”

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