Women Leaders in Waste: Amanda Garman of Wastequip

The waste and recycling industry was much different a decade ago. Technological advancements and a focus on sustainability have moved the needle on supply chain and operational improvements.

Three women leaders from Wastequip recently told Waste360 how they've personally witnessed the industry change during their careers at the company.

Amanda Garman was recently promoted to chief purchasing officer and leads Wastequip's women's development group, aptly named Wastequip Women.

She began her career in customer service with a Tier II supplier to Ford, Chrysler and GM and quickly made the shift to materials management and then to procurement. Engaging in different aspects of the supply chain early in her career allowed Garman to expand her diverse knowledge in varying areas.

Over the years, she stated that a focus on the customer and proper certifications helped with her career advancement. 

"I feel like I've always liked operations and process improvements to eliminate inefficiencies, and I'm a real visual person," she commented. "So, I'd love to go to our plants and see containers being made and understand that whole process. I decided early on in my career that I was going to get my APEC certification. I think it's now called ASCM which is Association for Supply Chain Management. That has really helped me advance my career and learn the different aspects and just bring everything full circle."

After joining Wastequip as a purchasing director nearly a decade ago, Garman quickly became involved in shaping the future of her colleagues and eventually was nominated as chairperson of Wastequip Women. Wastequip Women was launched in 2019 in response to a women's development workshop that was held at the company.

The group works within the company to "develop a signature leadership brand and help to decode our own leadership journey."

Garman called the group "fun," saying that members have monthly meetings featuring discussions from speakers with varying employment experiences.

"We really just kind of embrace women and listen to their struggles, because it's hard to juggle sometimes with family and get that work-life balance," she said. "We had a whole session on work-life balance where we had somebody from Blue Cross Blue Shield come in and really give us some different perspectives on things. So, it's been good to push that out and to see participation increase as well as interest."

Specialized skills training and certification programs are available through the group, in addition to cross-divisional training.

"If you're ever here working in finance, or accounts payables, you can mentor somebody that's in operations or in customer service and do some kind of cross-training so we can all understand the struggles that we face every day and how we can help each other along the way," Garman explained.

Another benefit to the programs offered through the women's group is networking, not only though cross-divisional opportunities but through volunteering outside of the organization and attending socials.

Overall, Garman said the group has allowed the company to promote a strong focus on the mental and physical well-being of women in the workforce through its programming and career nurturing, something for which she personally advocated for throughout her career.

"We as women just tend to keep going and going and we never really stopped to say 'hey, what's going on here' and set boundaries," she shared. 

This is part one in a three-part series featuring women leaders at Wastequip. Part One features insight from Amanda Garman, Chief Purchasing Officer. In Part Two learn from Laura Hubbard, Director of Municipal Sales and member of the NWRA Women’s Council. In Part Three, hear from Amy Wright, SVP of Marketing.

Waste360 wants to recognize an extraordinary woman who’s inspiring others in her community and beyond. Let's celebrate by nominating her for our FIRST Women Who Inspire award program! Learn more here.