To conclude Manufacturing Month and the celebration of National STEM Day (11/8), Youth Connections had the opportunity to sit down with Morgan Montgomery, the Planning and Control Manager at Rolls-Royce. During our conversation, we covered a wide range of topics, from her early career path to the various roles within the manufacturing industry, as well as advice for young people looking to get started in the field.
Montgomery’s Journey into Manufacturing
Morgan Montgomery’s career trajectory is an inspiring example of how an unexpected opportunity can shape your professional journey. Initially, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in marketing at Purdue University. It was during her freshman year that she took on a marketing internship, which, as she later realized, would prove to be a pivotal decision. While Montgomery’s formal role was in marketing, the internship gave her invaluable exposure to business and project management functions at Cummins. She quickly discovered that she was far more passionate about these areas than marketing, leading her to pivot from Marketing to Finance and Business Management.
After completing her internship at Cummins, Montgomery applied for several internships at Rolls-Royce. She landed a Project Management internship in 2017 and a Customer Business internship in 2018. These experiences served as the foundation for her career at Rolls-Royce, where she eventually joined the company’s Supply Chain Management Graduate Development Program, marking the start of her ascent into leadership positions across the organization.
Responsibilities and Role Evolution
As we explored Montgomery’s diverse career, we delved into the expectations and responsibilities that defined each of her roles.
- Marketing Internship at Cummins: Montgomery’s first internship involved collaborating with the engineering team to analyze supply and demand trends for various products.
- Project Management Internship at Rolls-Royce: During this internship, she worked with the T-56 engine program, gaining hands-on experience in managing customer relations, supply chain logistics, and budget operations.
- Business Development Internship: Here, Montgomery focused on market analysis, evaluating competitive landscapes, and contributing to strategic planning efforts.
- Supply Chain Management Graduate Development Program: In this rotational program, Montgomery gained her first in-depth exposure to manufacturing. She worked with cross-functional teams to optimize product logistics, overseeing production timelines and delivery schedules.
In her current role as Planning and Control Manager, Montgomery acts as a liaison between the shop floor and supply chain teams. Her day-to-day responsibilities involve analyzing production logistics—determining the quantity of parts needed, coordinating schedules, and ensuring that the team is optimizing resources to meet customer demands.
Insights on the Manufacturing Industry
As Manufacturing Month wraps up, Montgomery reflects on some of the common misconceptions about the industry. She stresses that manufacturing is not just about “hands-on” or “dirty” work, as many might assume. There are many roles in manufacturing that focus on leadership, management, and strategic thinking, not just manual labor. Ultimately, the heart of manufacturing, according to Montgomery, lies in precision—delivering high-quality products to customers while maintaining efficiency and consistency.
When asked how she was able to secure such impactful opportunities at a young age, Montgomery emphasizes the importance of making connections and advocating for yourself. Whether through networking or taking the initiative to apply for roles, getting your foot in the door is key to unlocking professional growth. She adds that hiring managers often value passion for the industry, company, and product over specific technical skills. Staying curious and continuously seeking to learn is essential to creating a fulfilling and successful career in manufacturing.
Applying Montgomery’s Experience to Your Career Journey
With an increasing number of new graduates entering the job market, as well as individuals seeking career paths outside the traditional four-year degree route, we asked Montgomery for her insights on how people can get started in their careers—whether they have experience or not. She highlights that building on your initial passion is key to long-term success. Even if you don’t have a traditional background or specialized expertise, Montgomery suggests that researching opportunities like apprenticeships, exploring companies with tuition reimbursement programs, and actively immersing yourself in a specific industry can open up a world of possibilities.
Montgomery also describes the importance of transferable skills, which have played a significant role in her own career progression. She points out that soft skills like communication, collaboration, strategic thinking, and problem-solving are invaluable assets that can demonstrate to hiring managers your ability to contribute effectively in any role.
We’d like to extend our gratitude to Montgomery for sharing her insights and dedication to the industry with us.
If you’re interested in exploring manufacturing careers or looking for new connections to help you get started, visit Contact Us | MSW Youth Connections.