March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the women driving progress across every industry, including manufacturing. While manufacturing has traditionally been male-dominated, leaders like Yadira Jardon, Operations Manager at Premier Packaging, are helping redefine what leadership looks like on the production floor.
From Opportunity to Leadership
Yadira’s path into manufacturing didn’t follow a conventional blueprint. She began her career outside the industry, working in a law firm before stepping into an administrative role within packaging and logistics at Bay Cities.
From there, she built her expertise across multiple functions, including shipping, receiving, and inventory control, gaining a deep understanding of operational workflows.
When Premier Packaging was acquired by Bay Cities, an opportunity opened up during a pivotal growth phase. Yadira stepped in to support operations and quickly proved herself as a leader.
“I started from very, very low, but I always had the initiative to want to do more,” she shared.
That initiative, combined with strong leadership instincts, helped her rise into a supervisory role where she now oversees a large team and plays a critical role in delivering efficient, high-quality beverage packaging solutions.
Navigating Leadership as a Woman in Manufacturing
As Yadira transitioned into leadership, she encountered a reality many women in manufacturing face: earning trust in a traditionally male-dominated environment.
“At first, there can be that challenge… but it’s about how you approach it,” she explained. “I’m not here to tell people what to do; I’m here to help the team succeed.”
Her leadership style is rooted in collaboration, communication, and mutual respect—an approach that has helped her build strong relationships across the production floor.
This people-first mindset is essential in today’s manufacturing environment, where team alignment directly impacts speed, accuracy, and overall production performance.
Driving Efficiency and Team Performance at Premier Packaging
At Premier Packaging, operational excellence is more than a goal; it’s a standard. The company specializes in end-to-end beverage packaging solutions, including variety pack assembly, repacking, automatic cartoning, and direct-to-retailer shipping.
Yadira brings these capabilities to life by ensuring her team operates with precision, consistency, and accountability.
A key part of that success is culture.
“We made it a point to show everyone we’re one team,” she said.
Through team-building initiatives, cross-functional collaboration, and inclusive leadership, Yadira has helped create a workplace where employee-owners feel valued and motivated, resulting in stronger performance and better outcomes for customers.
Supporting Speed to Market Through Innovation
Speed to market is critical in the beverage industry, and Premier Packaging continues to invest in solutions that enhance production efficiency.
Recent equipment upgrades are already making a measurable impact by reducing downtime, increasing throughput, and enabling faster turnaround times for customers.
For Yadira and her team, that translates into better service and stronger client relationships.
“It makes it easier to tell customers their orders are ready—and even early,” she noted.
This commitment to continuous improvement ensures Premier remains a trusted partner for brands looking to scale efficiently and succeed at retail.
Advice for Women Considering a Career in Manufacturing
Yadira is passionate about encouraging more women to pursue careers in manufacturing and operations leadership.
“One key piece of advice for women in the manufacturing industry is to own your expertise and speak up with confidence. Manufacturing has traditionally been a male-dominated field, but your voice, skills, and perspective bring immense value. Never hesitate to ask questions, share your ideas, and advocate for yourself.
Also, seek out mentors and allies, whether male or female, who can support your growth. Networking and continuous learning will help you stay ahead and open doors to new opportunities.”
Her advice reflects a broader shift in the industry—one where diverse perspectives are recognized as a competitive advantage.
Celebrating Women’s Leadership in Packaging
This Women’s History Month, Yadira Jardon’s story highlights the impact of strong leadership, perseverance, and a commitment to growth.
At Premier Packaging, that leadership translates into real results—helping beverage brands move from concept to shelf faster, more efficiently, and with confidence.
As the industry continues to evolve, leaders like Yadira are not only shaping the future of manufacturing; they’re opening the door for the next generation of women to lead.
Looking to streamline your beverage packaging and accelerate speed to market? Contact Premier Packaging to get started today.
