Manufacturing is arguably one of the most respected industries in society, and rightfully so. At Toyota, it’s where the magic happens. It’s the place where imaginations are met with tangible skills and physical power, bringing vehicles — that often start as sketches — to brilliant fruition.
With 10 manufacturing plants across the U.S., Toyota has a robust roster of employees who work diligently to bring customers quality products they can depend on: whether they’re top-selling sedans that make running everyday errands easy or roomy trucks and SUVs that can haul people and cargo with ease. From body welding to the paint shop, manufacturing plants are truly what drives the company forward.
Here’s a spotlight on some of the people behind the scenes whose skills are responsible for sparking innovation, one part at a time.
Nicole Massarand
Job title: Production Group Leader, Casting
Number of years worked in your current department: 7 years
Number of years with the company: 7 years
On how she got into manufacturing:
“I started with Toyota in 2017. I was returning to work from maternity leave and needed something that was reliable, had good benefits and was closer to home. I started out as a cleaner, sweeping dust off the floors, wiping oil off the backs of machines, vacuuming out the pit. It was not the most desired job in the plant, but I was happy to do it alongside my coworkers and return home to provide for my family. After several promotions over the years, I am now Group Leader over one of our flex lines, where we assemble three different cylinder head castings.”
On what she enjoys the most about working in the casting department:
“I enjoy getting the opportunity to see the cylinder heads created out of the raw materials, molten aluminum and inorganic sand. It’s like a real-life “How It’s Made” episode! Working in the casting department really pushes you to focus on the quality of the parts we are assembling, as the cylinder head plays a key role in the engine. We’re handling some serious stuff!”
On what drives her professional passions:
“People! I love working with people. As a Group Leader, I spend a lot of time with different people from all walks of life. I am fortunate that I have been able to build those relationships with the team. The most satisfying part of working with people is teaching them something and seeing their faces light up with that ah-ha moment. Then, watching them do it on their own after that.”
Meet more Toyota team members here.
