Freudenberg-NOK’s Jandreau Wins Women Worth Watching Award from Diversity Journal

“Collectively, these women are forging ahead with global acclaim in strategies that are making a difference in their workplace, marketplace and around the world,” said James Recto, publisher, Profiles in Diversity Journal. “These leaders bring an array of life experiences and views that consistently produce a variety of new concepts and ideas.”

Jandreau is leading the lean manufacturing and Six Sigma efforts at Freudenberg-NOK, where she develops strategies that successfully impact the company’s bottom line. As the first woman to lead Freudenberg-NOK’s program at its 20 manufacturing facilities across Canada, Mexico and the United States, she’s considered a powerhouse when it comes to lean manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives.

Since taking over as director of Freudenberg-NOK’s GROWTTH (Get Rid Of Waste Through Team Harmony) program in 2014, Jandreau has been a crucial link between senior management and plant personnel on all efforts developed to enhance the company’s lean performance and Six Sigma manufacturing initiatives. She has doubled the number of employees trained in lean and Six Sigma techniques, and has increased the number of shop floor Kaizens and lean workshops being conducted across the company to more than 11,000 annually.

“Vicky is an outstanding example of what dedication, knowledge and the right attitude can accomplish,” said Ed Borger, Senior Vice President, Lean / GROWTTH and Supply Chain Management, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies. “She is an expert when it comes to understanding and applying the principles of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma. Her ability to teach other employees to tap into the power of these methodologies has helped solidify our corporate culture of continuous improvement and collaboration. We are delighted she has been recognized for her significant contributions.”

According to Jandreau, her passion rests upon her personal manufacturing experience and her insistence in promoting an open, collaborative environment that optimizes a progressive learning culture. She is unwavering in her push to build organizational commitment to a lean corporate value system. She always knew her current role was the perfect career for her and holds a strong conviction that status quo is not adequate and there is always a better way.

Launched in 1992, the GROWTTH program employs lean principles of the Toyota Production System to reduce defects, scrap, waste and work-in-process inventory, while boosting productivity.