International Women’s Day – Meet Suzanne

Meet Suzanne

Project Manager

On International Women’s Day, discover the journey of four wonderful women at Kalray (Pam, Barbara, Cristina and Suzanne) their visions, their dreams, the challenges they face every day.

Suzanne, a Project Manager at Kalray since 2014, shares her thoughts with us. Suzanne is based in Manvers, United Kingdom.

Suzanne, can you tell us about your background and your job?

I come from a mainly Project Coordinator / Procurement background. I started here when the company was still relatively new. I did procurement, project management, facilities, stock control. My current position is now Procurement and Logistics Manager which includes stock control, accounts invoice requests/breakdowns and exports, UK logistics and procurement.

What job did you want to do when you were a child? 

I wanted to join the police force, like both of my parents. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis which prevented me from taking this further.

Do you think that being a woman could have been a hindrance or an asset in your career? 

Personally, I haven’t felt that it has been a hindrance for me, maybe more of an annoyance when I am the only woman in a room full of men and I am asked to make coffee for visitors. (this doesn’t happen anymore).

Why do you think there are so few women in the engineering and tech industry? 

I think it stems from an old fashioned view, but things are definitely getting better. I think it needs to start at school.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

To be honest, I wasn’t really aware of it, so it maybe isn’t publicized enough. I think it’s a good thing to highlight the equality gaps that still exist throughout the world.

What is your vision on gender equality at work? 

At present, there is a big divide of woman doing the admin style roles, and men doing the engineer type roles. I would like to see that we are at least interviewing more women for the engineer roles, and more men for the admin roles. I would also like to see more women in higher managerial roles.

What do you think is the most dangerous stereotype about women? 

I think assuming that a woman will leave to have a baby therefore is less committed to the role.

What do you think is the biggest challenge of being a woman today? 

Still being looked at as the weaker sex.