Andrea Michelle
Andrea Michelle is a seasoned manufacturing and supply chain professional with over 17 years of experience spanning customer service, operations, and commodity management. She currently serves as Commodity Manager at North Coast Container, overseeing purchasing strategies, supplier relationships, cost analysis, and raw material planning across multiple manufacturing facilities. Andrea’s career progression has been driven by her curiosity, commitment to learning, and willingness to take on leadership roles as they emerged, enabling her to gain a comprehensive understanding of operations from end to end.
Throughout her career, Andrea has championed process improvement, supply chain optimization, and operational efficiency. She has led multiple facilities in reconditioning, recycling, and new manufacturing, navigating challenges such as supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages, and steel industry volatility. Her approach combines data-driven decision making with strong communication and collaboration, creating clarity in complex situations and fostering a positive, inclusive work culture. Andrea takes pride in her ability to mentor and develop teams, building trust and empowering colleagues to succeed.
Andrea values growth, honesty, resilience, continuous learning, and meaningful relationships. She believes in showing up consistently, being dependable, and treating people with respect. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and researching, exploring advancements in AI, spending time with her family, and pursuing a new fitness routine after recovering from osteoporosis. Andrea’s career and personal journey reflect her dedication to leadership, community, and continuous improvement, both on and off the plant floor.
• Michigan State University - BA
What do you attribute your success to?
Andrea has spent 17 to 18 years in manufacturing, beginning in customer service before moving into operations and developing a strong focus on process improvement, supply chain workflows, and commodity management. She oversees purchasing and procurement strategies, supplier relationships, cost analysis, and raw material planning for multiple manufacturing facilities, recently relocating to central Michigan to better support East Coast and Midwest plants. Her expertise spans operations management, supply chain strategy, procurement, vendor negotiations, process improvement, data-driven decision making, and manufacturing leadership, complemented by strong communication skills from her English degree. Andrea’s proudest achievement is becoming a strong, capable leader, learning to build trust, navigate challenges, and develop people through mentorship and personal growth. She finds the greatest fulfillment in supporting teams, solving problems collaboratively, helping colleagues succeed, and driving meaningful operational improvements, creating clarity in chaotic situations and removing barriers so others can excel.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Andrea shared that she has two key mentors who deeply influenced her growth. They helped her see her potential, taught her to trust her instincts, and guided her in becoming a confident leader. These relationships were built on vulnerability, honesty, and a willingness to learn from each other.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the manufacturing industry is to seek out mentors, surround yourself with people who genuinely support your growth, and build a strong network of trusted colleagues. I believe women should never feel they have to navigate challenges alone guidance, community, and collaboration make all the difference in developing a successful and fulfilling career.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges I see in the industry today are the lasting effects of COVID-19 on supply chains, including severe shortages, logistical breakdowns, and constant problem-solving, as well as volatility in the steel industry, with pricing instability, workforce shortages, and ongoing impacts from tariffs. Navigating these environments requires resilience, quick decision-making, and strong communication with suppliers to ensure continuity and efficiency.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Andrea values growth, honesty, resilience, continuous learning, and meaningful relationships. She believes in showing up consistently, being dependable, and treating people with respect. Trust both giving it and earning it is central to how she leads and lives. She enjoys reading and researching especially because of her English background learning about AI, and spending time with her family. She is also adapting to a new fitness routine after breaking her back due to osteoporosis, describing it as a major transition but also an important part of her personal journey.