2012 Leader Under 40: Emily Fritts, 38
Plant Operations Manager, Schneider Electric, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Plant Engineering
Emily Fritts, 38
Plant Operations Manager, Schneider Electric, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Years at Schneider Electric: 5
Education: BS Industrial Engineering, Tennessee Technological University; MS Business Administration (in process), Kettering University
Emily’s contributions
“Emily’s technical expertise, strategic thinking, and concern for people combine to create a compassionate, dynamic and engaging leader who inspires people to achieve their best no matter the challenge,” said Lloyd Palmer, vice president of manufacturing operations at Schneider Electric in Palatine, Ill. “As plant manager, she led her plant to attain some of the best efficiency gains in the region. Emily’s leadership prowess extends outside work, where she serves on the local Metro Economic Alliance and is actively involved in the American Heart Association, among other charities. It is a pleasure to see Emily achieve so much early in her career, and I’m confident the best is yet to come.”
Why a career in manufacturing?
“My manufacturing career began in automotive leading new product launches, problem-solving and making things better, faster, smarter. I continued to hone my leadership skills with Schneider Electric as an engineering manager, regional strategist, and plant manager. My journey has afforded me incredible opportunity to use my technical background and my love for talent management. It is exceptionally rewarding to mentor new graduates in manufacturing, helping them evolve into tomorrow’s leaders. Manufacturing is the epitome of ‘think on your feet,’ and each day brings with it new opportunity for a promising career.”
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2012 Salary Survey
In a year when manufacturing continued to lead the economic rebound, it makes sense that plant manager bonuses rebounded. Plant Engineering’s annual Salary Survey shows both wages and bonuses rose in 2012 after a retreat the year before.
Average salary across all job titles for plant floor management rose 3.5% to $95,446, and bonus compensation jumped to $15,162, a 4.2% increase from the 2010 level and double the 2011 total, which showed a sharp drop in bonus.