2024 Plastic News – Women Breaking the Mold

We are pleased to announce that our vice president of human resources, Lytia Watson, has been honored by Plastics News as a 2024 Women Breaking the Mold recipient. Watson joined Deceuninck North America in 2021 and has overseen the renaissance of the organization’s HR department since her arrival. Watson will be speaking at the Plastics News Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum in Nashville, TN, on November 11, 2024, at 3:15 p.m. CT. The 45-minute panel discussion is titled, “Attracting and Retaining a Diverse Workforce of the Future.”  We congratulate Lytia on this well-earned recognition and thank her for her continued contributions to the growth and success of Deceuninck North America.

Lytia Watson started working in industrial manufacturing in 2020, extruding PVC decking from more than 80 percent recycled plastic. She had worked in manufacturing and distribution her entire career – in the automotive and aerospace industries – and was at a point in her career where she wanted to do something different and see how her career experiences might transfer to a new industry.  

She joined Azek Co. Inc. in Wilmington, Ohio, as the senior human resources manager for Azek Building Products and TimberTech. Watson then became Monroe, Ohio-based Deceuninck North America’s vice president of human resources in 2021.  

Watson reports to the company president and CEO, providing consultative support as a member of the executive leadership team while steering the HR organization in alignment with business strategy. She partners with global HR officers in Europe, Turkey and emerging markets to create global policy and implement initiatives.  

She leads key functions, including HR operations, compensation and benefits, learning and development, talent acquisition, employee relations, on-site wellness clinic and legal.  

Attracting and retaining talent is her current challenge. Watson takes a different path to attracting talent to the industry, starting with elementary school students. She raises the visibility of rewarding careers in plastics and rubber manufacturing.  

“I believe my greatest achievements have been in taking the complex, seemingly insurmountable business challenges that prevented business growth and meeting those challenges with sustainable solutions,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed helping businesses navigate past those obstacles and thrive. I am most proud of giving the employees those wins, which boosted their confidence and reminded them that productive change was possible through them.” 

Watson earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Indiana Wesleyan University, MBA from Miami University (Ohio), labor relations certificate from Cornell University and an associate certificate in contract management and master’s certificate in government contracting from George Washington University. She is involved with the National Fenestration Rating Council and the Society for Human Resource Management.  

“My career moves have always been prompted by my desire to grow and make tangible deposits into my employing organizations,” she said. I don’t have a [future dream] job in mind as much as a growing desire to meet the challenge of changing the narrative about careers in manufacturing and more specifically, plastics manufacturing. There’s a lot of good happening.” 

Don’t miss the 2024 Women Breaking the Mold networking forum on November 11-12, 2024, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, and catch Lytia at 3:15 p.m. CT. 

The Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum is a two-day conference designed to encourage and empower women in the industry while equipping them to make even bigger impacts. Register today for your chance to meet with your peers and continue your career evolution at this sought-after annual event.