Manufacturing Leader award recognises a woman who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in an ANZ packaging manufacturing operation. This award honours achievements such as optimising production processes, improving quality control, enhancing efficiency, increasing sustainability and fostering a culture of innovation and safety within the manufacturing environment.
This year's finalists are:
Fiona MacLeod, Visy
Fiona MacLeod, as General Manager Strategic Retail at Visy, led the development and launch of Australian-made retail paper bags, marking a significant shift in the Australian packaging sector. The heavy-weight bags, made with recycled content, are manufactured locally at Visy’s Reservoir plant in Melbourne, reducing reliance on imported products. Fiona's leadership integrated two divisions, which normally operated independently, and established new quality control mechanisms, efficiency targets, and testing protocols. Beyond creating a new product, Fiona ensured the bags supported sustainability by being recyclable through kerbside bins and helping to reduce waste in landfills. With a focus on the end consumer, her leadership has had a significant impact on local manufacturing and the Australian recycling sector, helping to foster the growth of an important new market.
Fiona’s leadership has also helped foster a culture of innovation at Visy, bringing teams together to focus on customer needs and consumer satisfaction. Her ability to challenge ingrained behaviors and encourage collaboration has been instrumental in driving the success of this new product line. She continues to lead efforts to replace single-use plastics with more sustainable, locally-made alternatives, solidifying Visy’s role as a leader in sustainable packaging.
Kirsten Sin, Amcor
Kirsten Sin, Production Manager at Amcor's Preston site, has driven significant improvements in production efficiency and team communication. A standout initiative led by Kirsten was the standardisation of the Shift Handover Communication process, which improved clarity, accountability, and cross-shift collaboration, reducing downtime due to miscommunication. Additionally, Kirsten has championed the MEX system for tracking and actioning maintenance, leading to fewer breakdowns and quicker resolutions. She also ensures that new products are production-ready by reviewing and signing off on items related to Slitting. Her leadership in process optimisation, quality control, and team development has greatly enhanced operations at Preston.
Kirsten's leadership has fostered smoother transitions, reduced downtime, and improved the overall efficiency of the manufacturing operation. Through structured processes and real-time coaching, she has created a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, empowering her team to perform at their best.
Kristy-Lee Houghton, Visy Specialties
Kristy-Lee Houghton has significantly improved operational efficiency at Visy Specialties’ Newcastle site through the successful implementation of a time slotting process in dispatch. By identifying a bottleneck in scheduling, Kristy optimised load management, resulting in improved safety, higher efficiency, and cost reduction. This change not only enhanced site profitability but also contributed to increased delivery performance (DIFOT). As the Operations Manager overseeing $12.6 million in revenue, Kristy has fostered a strong team culture, improved productivity by 20 per cent year-on-year, and achieved "Excellent" quality audit scores from customers. Her leadership has also driven an impressive 40 per cent gender balance on-site and an average team tenure of 5.9 years.
Kristy’s leadership has been instrumental in turning around operational challenges at the Newcastle site, from increasing profitability to improving team dynamics. Her efforts in fostering a team-based culture, driving operational improvements, and enhancing site safety and productivity have been key to the site’s success. Kristy’s ability to overcome local industry challenges, such as retention issues, further highlights her leadership acumen.
Maree Roan, Amcor
Maree Roan has led Amcor’s Christchurch plant with distinction, driving improvements in safety, quality, and efficiency while positioning the site for future growth. Under her leadership, the site has successfully embedded 5S and Safety Zone principles, and supported the launch of new product lines. Maree’s operational improvements have resulted in a 50 per cent increase in profitability, enhanced team engagement, and a culture of ownership. With a 33 per cent volume uplift forecasted for the coming year, Maree has ensured that the Christchurch plant remains a high-performing and strategic asset within Amcor’s network.
Maree’s leadership has strengthened both operational performance and team culture, leading to consistent growth and commercial success. Her hands-on approach, clear communication, and strong alignment across departments have built a team that delivers high-quality results. Maree’s steady leadership continues to position the Christchurch site as a key player in Amcor’s future growth strategy.
Samantha Alexandra, Detmold Group
Samantha Alexandra led multiple successful accreditation projects for Detmold Group, significantly enhancing the company’s compliance and sustainability standing. One of her key achievements was leading the extension of the BRCGS food safety accreditation for Detmold’s Brisbane warehouse and the Australian production facility in Adelaide, ensuring these facilities met international food safety standards. This achievement not only improved operational efficiency by reducing transportation costs and carbon emissions but also enhanced the company’s ability to service BRC-certified customers. In addition, Sam spearheaded the ISO 14001 environmental accreditation process for Detmold’s Australian operations, collaborating with various department leaders to build a framework that achieved a positive phase 1 audit in February 2025. Her leadership in these areas has strengthened Detmold’s position as a supplier of choice and directly contributed to the company’s sustainability goals.
Through her strategic leadership and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, Sam has demonstrated exceptional skills in compliance management, helping Detmold navigate complex accreditation processes and drive continuous improvements in operations. She now leads the company’s global compliance efforts as Group Compliance Manager.
Tania Paniora, Orora Group
Tania Paniora, Manufacturing Line Lead at Orora Group, played a pivotal role in the successful commissioning of the second aluminium can production line at Orora’s Revesby manufacturing plant. Leading the operations group through the engineering and logistical challenges, she oversaw the installation, qualification, and commissioning of the new line, which will nearly double the site’s capacity. Her leadership ensured the project adhered to strict timelines, despite limited prior experience with such an ambitious undertaking. By employing the Vertical Start Up Methodology and creating over 100 detailed checklists, Tania drove the project towards completion with precision and efficiency.
Tania’s leadership not only facilitated Orora’s supply chain resilience but also set industry benchmarks for best practices in equipment installation. Her ability to manage competing priorities from multiple stakeholders and motivate teams was crucial in overcoming challenges and ensuring timely success. The new line’s commissioning is also expected to improve sustainability by reducing transport reliance and supporting local suppliers. Tania’s dedication to innovation and operational excellence has positioned Orora as a leader in the Australian packaging industry.
Tracy Rofe, Amcor
At Amcor’s Preston site, Tracy Rofe plays a vital role in helping some of Australia’s most prominent brands transition to more sustainable packaging. As the go-to person for FSC® and ISCC Plus procedures, she was instrumental in securing the site’s initial certifications and ensuring compliance during audits. Tracy has successfully supported major projects like Mars paper and Mondelez recycled content for the Cadbury range, ensuring a smooth production process while maintaining strict quality, safety, and food compliance standards. She also contributed to the implementation of new planning systems, improving the team’s ability to plan for future demand and utilise new tools effectively.
Tracy’s leadership is defined by her calm, reliable presence in a fast-paced environment, where she connects with cross-functional teams, anticipates needs, and ensures every moving part fits together seamlessly. Her commitment to delivering sustainable packaging solutions without compromising quality has earned her the respect of her peers. With her ability to navigate complexity and her unwavering focus on outcomes, Tracy has been a driving force in Amcor’s success at Preston, making a significant impact on both the team and the business.
Victoria Church, HMPS Propac
Victoria Church, People and Culture Manager at HMPS Propac, has driven transformative growth and unity in a rapidly expanding manufacturing operation. Overseeing the expansion of three Australian manufacturing sites, Victoria launched the Future Leaders Roundtable to foster innovation and bridge departmental silos, ensuring a cohesive workforce. By mentoring emerging talent across design, engineering, and operations, she facilitated smoother production processes and increased employee engagement. Her focus on employee wellbeing and culture initiatives, such as crockpot Mondays and R U OK Day, has further enhanced team morale and community spirit. Victoria's leadership ensures HMPS Propac maintains its commitment to safety, quality, and innovation while scaling at pace.
Her strategic approach to HR, including bi-annual culture surveys and implementing new HR systems, has been integral to streamlining processes and improving performance across the board. In tackling leadership challenges, such as talent retention and communication across geographically dispersed sites, Victoria championed upskilling initiatives and fostered cross-location collaboration. Her people-first leadership has been key to ensuring high productivity and quality control, turning challenges into opportunities for continued success.
The 2025 winners will be announced at the PKN Women in Packaging Awards Lunch on 27 June, to be held at 12-Micron, Barangaroo – a fitting setting to honour a group of exceptional professionals who are reshaping the packaging landscape. Tickets are on sale here, with limited space at the venue it is advisable to book soon as we anticipate a sold-out event.
