Rose Graffin, Chairman of the Board & CEO, Serac Holding

My background is now very intercultural, having lived and worked in both Brazil and Malaysia, now in the United States, within a group having its roots in France. It gives me great pleasure to travel and visit our factories and subsidiaries, meeting our employees and customers alike. In the last six months, we have opened two new offices and added the acquisition of a new company to our portfolio. 

What are some of the challenges that you have faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry?

Not speaking the language. To assimilate I taught myself French, English and Spanish in a matter of months by listening. In addition, I do not allow others to speak for me and always voice my opinion. As others will attest, Rose needs to talk. 

I was also lucky to have a male mentor who believed in me. The support must be relevant to the position. My mentor provided me with guidance, direction, and advice on how to approach challenges. He showed me how to think critically and develop creative approaches to problem solving, in addition to strengthening my confidence and providing me the tools to succeed in my role. 

What do you think are some of the key factors that have contributed to your success in the industry? 

Treat people with respect, you aspire for success. Always approach learning from others who are more competent than you. 

I endeavor to have a good understanding of the products and services offered in the industry, building strong relationships with suppliers, partners, and customers alike while providing excellent customer service and having a well-developed marketing strategy. In addition, I make certain Serac has a strong commitment to quality and safety thoughout the production process, this has been essential in ensuring the success of Serac.

My values are transparent in everything I do and all the decisions I make. The key to success is the respect you give. So, my recommendation for women who want to work in this sector: Be yourself, learn, trust yourself. This industry needs you. 

What can the industry do better to support women and increase the number of women in leadership positions?   

We in the packaging industry can do better to support women by creating a written path forward after graduation to advance their livelihoods and a path forward to fulfilling career aspirations.   

Openly hire with a written direction toward the future that will promise a balance of a career and family success. Explain packaging. It is interesting when described in the correct context. Packaging is also a big industry that can be family friendly, as Serac is, however it is up to the company to forge the path forward and women need to make this happen by understanding what they want and how to achieve it. You see two sides to every story. 

What advice would you give to young women who are considering a career in packaging?  

Do your research, learn as much as you can about the packaging industry including the different types of packaging. This is an even bigger industry than most people realize. Discover the various job roles and career paths available and offer to intern, understand what about packaging interests you.    

In the case of Serac we create filling and capping machines and blow Molders for the future. We are a forward-thinking company with a global presence, our proximity to our customers creates less of a carbon footprint. At Serac, we strive to remain sustainable in everything we create.   

Network to discover where in this industry you belong and most of all be confident in your abilities and knowledge. Don’t be afraid to speak up and share your ideas and perspective. Your voice will be heard. 

Embrace challenges and don’t be afraid to take on ambitious projects or tasks. This will help you grow, develop your skills, and make you more valuable. And remember to speak up, use your voice clearly and concisely, trust your instincts and know your worth.