Attracted to growth opportunities with GSF’s dairy and beverage products company, KanPak U.S., Elizabeth Medina joined the Penn Yan, New York team in 2021 and currently serves as Continuous Improvement Analyst. Elizabeth has pursued her career advancement with enthusiastic dedication, purposeful learning, and a supportive company culture.
"I love coming to work every day with the team,” shares Elizabeth. “The energy levels are always high and positive. You can sense the pride everyone has in their work when you step out onto the production floor."
Since joining KanPak three years ago as a Quality Control In-Line Technician, Elizabeth has embraced every opportunity to expand her knowledge and skills. Her ambition quickly propelled her through various roles, from Quality Control Floor Technician to Warehouse Dock Clerk, and then into material planning and continuous improvement. Each transition exposed her to new aspects of the company's operations, from quality systems and production flow to purchasing materials and managing the supply chain.
True Leadership Support
Throughout her career progression, Elizabeth found unwavering support from her leaders. "Each of them has helped me with assignments and have always been more than willing to answer any questions that I have had," she shares. As she pursued her academic journey while working full-time, the company’s support and values-driven culture greatly impacted Elizabeth's career growth.
"We have such a positive company culture, which makes me excited to come to work every day," she explains. "The supportive and encouraging culture has helped me grow in my career and take advantage of new opportunities as they come."
Advice and Future Ambitions
In her current role, Elizabeth leads cross-departmental and functional teams in waste reduction and efficiency improvement projects. Her advice to others interested in advancing their careers with Golden State Foods and KanPak includes:
"Show up to work with a positive attitude every day, look for ways to expand your knowledge, be ambitious, and show that you want to grow in your career at Golden State Foods."
Elizabeth aspires to join the management team and continue growing within the company. Her inspiring story offers insights into the opportunities available for anyone looking to build a fulfilling career in a supportive, growth-oriented environment.