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July 20, 2021

Outstanding Women at RFS - Part 1: Sylvia Lacroix

To coincide with International Women’s day earlier this year we celebrated some of the outstanding women that play a big role at RFS. However, once a year is not enough to showcase the contribution that our female employees make. Earlier this year Sylvia Lacroix joined the RFS team as MAS Factory Director and having had a few months to settle in, we caught up with her to find out her thoughts on the industry and the role women have to play.
Radio Frequency Systems,
TAGS : INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Sylvia Lacroix
MAS Factory Director
Trignac site, France

What was your first job in telecoms?

I have always worked in the Telecoms world. I started my career as an intern in an Alcatel Microwave plant; I was working on a warehouse optimization project. I held several positions in the supply chain of Alcatel and Nokia, for the microwave and mobile divisions, before joining RFS last March.

Why did you choose to join RFS?

I have known RFS throughout my entire career and after working in larger groups where work becomes more siloed, I wanted to move to a more agile organization that would still enable me to work in an international environment but allow me to oversee entire processes. Additionally, for me, the human aspect is a hugely important part of factory management. Understanding people and the challenges they face is fundamental to improving the processes we have and working in the best way possible.

What did your first few months look like at RFS?

Joining a new company in the middle of a pandemic is certainly interesting, but thankfully hasn’t had too much impact on production for RFS. I spent the first few weeks getting to know my team and practicing what I preach – understanding them and their challenges to identify areas for improvement. We have now got a plan of action for implementation based on this and look forward to seeing positive changes. 

How has the industry changed since you started?

Technology has driven the changes within the Telecoms world, processes that were once manual have become integrated and digitalized. This has allowed typically long lead times to be shortened to meet customer demand and increase volume. The supply chains are now complex and global as is the customer base. Where mail and telephone used to be the only means of communication telecoms have progressed so much that we can now manage all this from home (or almost…)

What still needs to change?

My last year of study was entitled "Production and Operations Management". In a class of 24 there were only 2 women. I still find women underrepresented within production and operations so encouraging more women into these areas is a must. However, in the telecoms world today, women who wish to do so are able to access management positions and this is particularly true within RFS. 

Name one woman who inspires you

Simone Veil. She was an Auschwitz survivor, Minister of Health at the origin of the legalization of abortion, President of the European Parliament, member of the French Academy... I could go on. She is an exemplary life made up of commitments and fights; the progress of women's emancipation, and European hope.