Her Story
About Heather
Heather Stucky is a dedicated purchasing professional with more than 11 years of experience in the manufacturing industry. Based in Yankton, South Dakota, she currently serves as a Buyer at MANITOU Group, a global manufacturer of telehandlers, articulated loaders, and many other types of machinery in the construction and agricultural market. In her role, she analyzes purchasing data, manages open purchase orders, monitors supplier performance, and helps ensure on-time deliveries and adequate inventory to support daily production. Her expertise includes purchasing, supplier management, demand planning, inventory coordination, and process improvement, with experience managing a wide range of components and materials used in manufacturing. She developed her expertise through professional certifications rather than a traditional college path, earning credentials in Welding Basics 1 and 2 receiving a certification through the American Welding Society, Leadership Fundamentals 1 through Northeast Community College, and Business Analysis and Process Management through Coursera. Heather began her career in manufacturing as a Welder at Kolberg-Pioneer (Astec), following in her father’s footsteps and gaining valuable hands-on experience in the industry. She later expanded her professional background through positions in shipping and receiving, customer service, and purchasing at The Freeman Company, where she handled aerospace-related procurement, supplier relationships, RFQs, inventory, and work-in-process activities. At MANITOU Group, she also contributed to the implementation of the Manitogether Document Management System and Web EDI portal, serving as a key user and helping suppliers navigate the new system. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Heather is committed to continuous learning, community involvement, and personal growth. She has volunteered with organizations including Pathways Shelter for the Homeless, Yankton Food for Thought, and the United Way’s Big Friend Little Friend program, where she volunteered for two years. She also supports local small businesses through a Facebook group she created that provides opportunities for advertising, business highlights, and community engagement. Heather approaches challenges with adaptability, guided by the principle that while you cannot control the wind, you can adjust your sails. Her dedication to learning, reliability, communication, and continuous improvement has shaped her career and continues to influence the way she contributes to her organization and community.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Heather
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my willingness to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. I started my career in welding, which gave me a strong foundation in manufacturing and taught me the importance of precision, quality, and teamwork. I continued building on that experience and progressed into purchasing at Manitou Group, where I now manage purchase orders and supplier relationships. Each step in my career has strengthened my skills, expanded my knowledge, and reinforced the value of hard work, adaptability, and continuous growth.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is, “You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust your sails.” I’ve learned that challenges and circumstances are not always within my control, but my response to them is. Staying adaptable, looking for solutions, and being willing to adjust my approach has helped me navigate change, overcome obstacles, and continue moving forward in my career.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The best advice I would give young women entering my industry is to remember that everyone has something to teach you, so stay open to learning from the people around you. Find what you are passionate about and pursue it with confidence, while never being afraid to speak up when you believe something is wrong. Continue learning and challenging yourself every day, because growth comes from being curious, adaptable, and willing to learn something new.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is supply chain disruption, which can lead to past-due purchase orders and create a snowball effect when supplier issues arise. These disruptions can impact production schedules, inventory levels, and overall operations, making proactive communication, supplier management, and quick problem-solving essential to keeping the supply chain moving efficiently.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in my work and personal life are continuous learning, dedication, and personal growth. I believe education does not always have to come through a traditional college path, and I have focused on developing my skills and knowledge through professional certifications and hands-on experience. I value staying curious, learning something new every day, and continually finding ways to grow both personally and professionally.
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