Over the next eleven years, Andrea advanced through seven roles: Polywrapper Operator, Platform Leader, Employee Champion, Production Supervisor and now Business Area Manager (BAM) for Polywrap in Sussex. She credits that rapid trajectory to curiosity, relentless learning and making herself “front and center” to observe, ask why and master the work.

Approach to leadership and teamwork

Today, as the Polywrap BAM, Andrea leads a high output operation where the culture of teamwork is as important as the metrics. She describes Quad’s best days as the moments when complex problems surface and the team “shows up,” collaborating so effectively that the issue seems to disappear as quickly as it arose. That spirit of camaraderie and people pulling together under pressure, remains her favorite part of working here and, in her view, fulfills the people first culture envisioned by Harry Quadracci at Quad’s founding. Safety anchors her leadership approach; Andrea treats it as a continuous, shared responsibility rather than a discrete project.

Advice for new employees

Andrea’s advice is straightforward: opportunities are real and abundant at Quad, but they meet you halfway. Make your goals known. Ask questions. Seek out mentors and say where you want to be in one year and five. In her experience, people who speak up about aspirations, development needs and ideas open doors sooner. She encourages every newcomer, especially in manufacturing, to trust the processes, keep an open mind and lean into the supportive culture that rewards initiative.

Notable projects and continuous improvement

Andrea lights up when she talks about problem solving on the floor. She recalls a large “reject party” earlier this year that drew in administrative partners to rapidly triage and learn. The outcome was a targeted point kaizen: adding cameras to part of a machine to catch errors earlier in the process. Beyond that, her favorite chapter goes back to her time as a Polywrapper Operator — owning Polywrapper 22 in West Allis — where she continually proposed layout tweaks and point of use improvements to run more efficiently and safely. Those experiences cemented her belief that small, thoughtful changes, owned by the people closest to the work, can transform performance.

Personal motivation and values

Andrea is candid about what fuels her: a desire to be the best; measured in safe days, green dashboards and strong outcomes for people and production. She admits that perfectionism can dial the pressure up, and she regularly reflects on balancing high standards with self compassion. Still, the core never wavers: care deeply, keep people safe and deliver. That mindset extends to communication across a bilingual team; about half of Polywrap’s workforce speaks Spanish. Drawing on six years of school Spanish, she refreshed her skills and now uses translation tools and ongoing practice to connect, de-escalate when needed and ensure everyone is heard.

Mentors and influences

Andrea is quick to credit the people who invested in her growth. Early on leaders spotted her potential and moved her into full time work, provided steady training and mentorship. She also points to other leaders, who helped her navigate “people moments,” complementing the technical coaching she received elsewhere. The throughline is clear: leaders who teach, sponsor and challenge their people create momentum that lasts.

What polywrapping is — and why it’s engaging work

Andrea describes polywrapping as the art of assembling multiple components; often different titles into a single, cohesive package so customers receive everything together, not piecemeal. The work is dynamic, with frequent changeovers, sometimes up to six make readies in a shift, so operators stay engaged, learning and adjusting throughout the day. For those who like problem solving, variety and teamwork, it’s an environment that makes the shift fly by.

Development and training

Andrea’s development story is a blend of formal and informal learning. The Accelerated Training (ACT) Program provided essential baseline training for her move into Polywrap operations, while on the job coaching from operators, platform leaders, supervisors and BAMs accelerated her growth. As she stepped into leadership, online coursework expanded her toolkit from conflict management and emotional intelligence to systems like ERMS rounding out both the technical and people sides of the role.