Nancy Vugs
Senior Production Engineer in the Truck Factory
““I was the first woman in the Tooling Development department at DAF.”
It all started with a challenging assignment as a project leader in the Tooling department at DAF. Although the project did not go smoothly, I was able to showcase my skills during the assignment. Despite the obstacles we encountered, I was able to motivate the team and keep everything on track. When the project was finally completed, a new assignment came up where I could leverage my technical background as an engineer and as a project leader. One thing led to another, and my then-manager asked me if I wanted to join DAF. He had seen potential in me and appreciated my knowledge and approach. I couldn’t say no to that!
This was the beginning of my career at DAF. As a 'young woman,' I found myself in an environment where I was the only woman in the department, among men with an average age of 57 years at the time. Initially, this seemed like a challenge, but I soon came to appreciate the situation. My new colleagues taught me an incredible amount. Their enthusiasm to teach me new things energized me and motivated me to develop my own identity. The differences in our characters created a particularly pleasant atmosphere and dynamic, where we complemented and supported each other. As a result, my own strengths also came to the fore.
After about seven years as an engineer in the Tooling department, I took on a new challenge a year ago as a Senior Production Engineer. Here, I can apply my project management skills more, supported by my technical knowledge. My daily tasks involve managing multiple projects, each with its own challenges and goals. From small inventory assignments, where I look for the best solutions, to large implementation projects with my fellow project leaders. Which suppliers do I need? What are the costs? It is a dynamic process where I have contact with many different people, from operators to managers and everything in between. Collaborating with a team on a project not only gives me the opportunity to further develop my skills but also to build relationships and learn from each other. Every day offers new opportunities and challenges, and I am curious about what the future will bring.
