Wabtec’s people are the driving force behind its 150 years of success. The company strives to have a diverse team across its various functions, including Operations. This week’s “Women in Operations” (WIO) Spotlight takes us to the land down under – Australia – and highlights Renee Jones, Senior Operations Manager for Digital Mining Technology.

1. WOMEN IN OPERATIONS: RENEE JONES
Wabtec’s people are the driving force behind its 150 years of success. The company strives to
have a diverse team across its various functions, including Operations. This week’s “Women in
Operations” (WIO) Spotlight takes us to the land down under – Australia – and highlights Renee
Jones, Senior Operations Manager for Digital Mining Technology.
How are you supporting customer mining operations?
Digital Mining Technology (DMT) provides world-class safety technology to our mining
customers. Zero Harm is a recurring theme across the mining industry, and both our Collision Awareness System
(CAS) and Drill Guidance System (DGS) help our mining customers work toward this by safeguarding people,
equipment and infrastructure. They also allow our mining customers to monitor their equipment fleets and manage
operator behavior with effective reporting tools that can help culture, compliance, productivity and efficiency. CAS
provides operators with a sophisticated operator’s aid that allows for enhanced situational and proximity awareness
helping them to avoid potential collisions with other equipment or objects. While DGS has been developed for drillers
as an aid when performing in-seam directional gas drainage, dewatering and exploration.
How did you get into this career?
I am originally a finance professional, who first joined the mining industry while working in London almost 20 years
ago. Returning to Australia, I stayed in the industry and worked for a number of Tier 1 mining companies developing
my finance and commercial skills. I started with GE Mining seven years ago in the finance team, while the business
was being integrated into GE having been recently acquired. I have a passion for project management and business
management and am driven by achieving results and effecting positive change all of which helped me transition into
operations about 3½ years ago, starting firstly in Materials Management and Supply Chain Management then moving
across to my current role in operations.
Which accomplishment are you most proud of?
In January 2019, our supply chain was relocated from India back to Australia. My task was to reestablish our
Fountaindale team supply chain through recruitment, onboarding, training and managing a new team. That team
worked hard over the past almost two years to form a high performing team, who are committed, energized, focused
on excellence and are willing to go beyond their duty statements to deliver against challenging goals consistently.
Year over year, our supply chain output has increased dramatically, reduced lead time and our on-time delivery
performance is on average 95%. I am extremely proud of that team and what they have accomplished.
What should young professional women focus on to pursue a career in operations?
I firmly believe that women can do whatever they want to do in their career and in their life. Focus on your goals,
don’t be afraid of a challenge and take opportunities with both hands. To pursue a career in operations I think you
should invest your time to learn the business and understand its drivers. Why are things the way they are? Do they
have to be that way? Where can we improve? Seek out, listen and learn from people who have been in the business
for a while and have experience and knowledge. But most importantly, find your own voice and don’t be afraid to
speak up.