Careers

Women in Manufacturing

A manufacturing career at BASF provides an innovative environment for women, offering endless opportunities and possibilities.

We know that your career is just one of many roles in your life. As a woman in manufacturing, opportunities at BASF can provide flexibility and support during the varying life stages that can arise during a female employee’s career.

Ever wonder what it's like to work in a manufacturing environment? Take a glimpse into BASF through the thoughts and experiences of several employees in varying roles:

We all belong in manufacturing, we all belong at BASF.

BASF’s Commitment to Women in Manufacturing

At BASF, the value of diversity and inclusion is fundamental to how we create chemistry for a sustainable future. The different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives that our employees bring to solving our customers’ challenges are critical to driving innovation and growth. They also make BASF a great place to work.

BASF is committed to attracting, developing and retaining great female talent in manufacturing. Women are needed to sustain and grow the manufacturing workforce. Through a holistic approach, BASF is addressing areas, such as early outreach, to help young girls appreciate the value of a career in manufacturing, educational awareness and support to help them reach their goals, and increased attention to the power of inclusive leadership.

BASF is investing in its future workforce and in the future of communities in which it resides through the North American Apprenticeship Development Program (NAADP) whose aim is to create a diverse and skilled technician workforce while attracting more female talent to technical roles to support the company’s goal of increasing the number of women in manufacturing. Click here to learn more.

Women MAKE Awards

Manufacturing faces a serious skills gap. Part of this gap is the underrepresentation of women in the industry. Women make up 47 percent of the labor force, but only 27 percent of the manufacturing workforce.

To help improve this, The Manufacturing Institute is promoting the role of women in the industry through the Women MAKE America Initiative, the nation’s marquee program to close the gender gap in manufacturing. The goal is to shrink the gender gap and increase innovation by building networks and developing skills for women in the industry and to identify and elevate the role models who can inspire the next generation.

BASF supports this initiative to help celebrate women in the manufacturing industry who are making a difference through advocacy, mentorship, engagement, promotion and leadership. The Women MAKE America Awards highlight the achievements of real women in manufacturing on a national stage with a formal gala to celebrate their accomplishments.

The following BASF women in manufacturing have been selected as Honorees and Emerging Leaders:

2024

Paula Clark (Honoree)
Katie Cook (Honoree)
Paula Mensah (Emerging Leader)

2023

Carol Easley (Honoree)
Cara Madzy (Honoree)
Lindsey Daniels (Emerging Leader)

2022

Julie Fay (Honoree)
Elba Lizardi (Honoree)
Brittany Davis (Emerging Leader)

2021

Kristie Pickering (Honoree)
Elizabeth Monroe (Honoree)
Lauren Hampton (Emerging Leader)

2020

2019

2018

Kristen Pforr (Honoree)
Amanda Taylor (Emerging Leader)

2017

Ashley Thompson (Emerging Leader)
Regina Molisee (Honoree)
Laura Fisher (Emerging Leader)
Debbie Dalley (Honoree)

2016

Christen Campbell (Emerging Leader)
Nicole McGlone-Santistevan (Honoree)

2015

Jacki Partain (Emerging Leader)

Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM)

BASF is a corporate sponsor of the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM), the only national trade association dedicated to providing year-round support to women who have chosen a career in the manufacturing industry.

Through our sponsorship, BASF employees have access to a free membership and discounts to conferences, as well as other resources for networking, recruitment and professional development.

Cara Madzy, Senior Director, EHS and Security, Geismar, serves on the WiM Board of Directors. In addition to Cara, numerous women in manufacturing at BASF are involved in local chapters of WiM.

The Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Hall of Fame honors women who have made outstanding contributions during the course of their established careers. Recipients include women who are dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women in the manufacturing industry. BASF WiM Hall of Fame Inductees include:

Anne Berg (2024)
Kristen Pforr (2023)
Lori Goucher (2022)
Marie Metzger (2021)

GOOD TO KNOW

Top Employer - Woman Engineer Magazine 2023

Seramount Best Company For Multicultural Women 2023

See all Awards & Accolades