Leadership in Manufacturing

Sannah Vinding
  • 5.0 (26)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Leading technical teams when complexity keeps rising is one of the hardest jobs in any industry. This podcast is built for the people doing exactly that. The Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast delivers practical leadership conversations for engineers, sales leaders, operations professionals, and executives across electronics, semiconductor, and manufacturing industries. Hosted by Sannah Vinding, the show features candid discussions with executives and industry leaders across the electronics value chain. Guests share real decisions, hard lessons, and the leadership moves that matter when pressure is constant and the margin for error is thin. Each episode explores how leaders communicate clearly across technical and non-technical teams, build trust and accountability across functions and regions, navigate AI adoption and rapid market change, and turn listening, feedback, and belief into execution. No fluff. No theory. Just leadership insights you can apply immediately. Trusted by 4,500+ professionals. Ranked among the top leadership podcasts worldwide. Watched more than 200,000 times on YouTube. New episodes weekly at leadershipinmanufacturing.com

  1. Why Tone and Trust Define How People Learn

    3D AGO

    Why Tone and Trust Define How People Learn

    What makes technical training actually work? Not the slides, not the credentials of the trainer, and not the size of the room. According to Don Gillis, HVACR Technical Trainer at HARDI, it comes down to tone, trust, and whether the person delivering the material has genuinely thought about what the audience needs to retain. Don has spent more than three decades in the HVACR industry, starting in the field before moving into service management and eventually into national technical training roles at Copeland, Emerson, and now HARDI. In this episode, he and host Sannah Vinding talk about the leadership side of technical teaching: how tone changes what people retain, how to handle wrong answers without shutting people down, and why trust in a training room is not a nice-to-have, it is the precondition for any learning to happen. Don also shares the leadership lesson that took him the longest to learn, what it means to read the room in a technical training context, and how he designs programs that do not leave retention to chance. In this episode, you will learn: Why tone matters more than the words you choose when delivering technical contentHow to handle wrong answers in a classroom without shutting people down What listening as a leadership skill looks like under real pressureHow to design training with retention built in from the beginningWhy the difference between a good training session and a sales pitch is who the trainer is thinking aboutWhat the football coach analogy teaches about reading the people in front of youHow Don built curriculum skills outside his job description through curiosity and persistence About the guest: Don Gillis is an HVACR Technical Trainer at HARDI with more than 30 years of experience across field work, service management, and technical education. He has built training programs designed for real retention, not just coverage, for distribution counter sales, technicians, and OEM networks. Hosted by Sannah Vinding, engineer and go-to-market leader, the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast brings real conversations to leaders across manufacturing, distribution, electronics, and supply chain. Subscribe to the newsletter at https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/

    42 min
  2. Why Judgment Still Wins in an AI-Assisted Sales World

    MAR 24

    Why Judgment Still Wins in an AI-Assisted Sales World

    AI is making reps faster. But faster is not the same as better. The rep who brings value still wins. The question is how you build that value when the tools are changing. In the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding speaks with Hunter Starr, CPMR, President at Performance Technical Sales, to explore how the manufacturers rep role is evolving as AI reshapes research, outreach, and customer engagement in the electronics and component industry. The conversation focuses on practical AI adoption at the field sales level — not theory, but what Hunter's team is actually doing. From using ChatGPT with curated manufacturer data to improve cross-reference accuracy, to building shared industry-specific messaging templates that scale across the team, Hunter shares a grounded view of Phase 1 AI integration in a rep firm. Hunter also gets specific about what AI cannot replace: the judgment call after the research, the follow-through after the meeting, and the trust that builds over time with engineers and purchasing teams. He talks about leading without a formal title, running open Monday team meetings where nothing is off limits, and why persistence is still the most important skill a new rep can develop. This episode is for manufacturers reps, field salespeople, FAEs, and sales leaders in electronics and component distribution who want to understand how to adopt AI tools practically without losing what actually builds business. In this episode, you will learn: Why access to engineers has changed and how to adapt your approachHow to use AI for part cross-referencing with better accuracy and less riskWhy constraining AI to curated manufacturer data produces more reliable outputHow to build messaging templates that your whole team can use across verticalsWhat manufacturers are building with AI that will change how reps interact with customersWhy follow-through and persistence still outperform speed in technical salesHow to lead a team and build trust without relying on a formal titleAbout the guest: Hunter Starr, CPMR, is President of Performance Technical Sales, a manufacturers rep firm serving OEM engineers and purchasing teams across Eastern North and South Carolina. With nearly a decade in manufacturer representation, Hunter supports customers across industrial, off-highway, defense, agricultural, and appliance markets. He is a Certified Professional Manufacturers' Representative and was recognized as a Rising Star by the Electronic Representatives Association. Hosted by: Sannah Vinding is an engineer, B2B marketing strategist, leadership educator, and host of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast. She helps leaders across electronics, manufacturing, and supply chain lead technical teams with clarity, trust, and confidence as complexity and AI reshape how work gets done. Listen to more episodes, sign up for the weekly leadership newsletter, and explore insights at: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/ Stay curious. Keep learning. Keep leading forward.

    40 min
  3. How to Lead When the Rules Change Between Startup and Enterprise

    MAR 10

    How to Lead When the Rules Change Between Startup and Enterprise

    The autonomy of a startup feels freeing, until the guardrails disappear and every mistake is amplified. The structure of a large enterprise feels slow, until you realize some of those constraints exist for a reason. Most leaders do not get to stay in one type of organization their whole career. The question is whether you adapt or just repeat what worked last time. In the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding speaks with Chris Lanier, Managing Director, Americas at Exein, to explore what actually changes when you move between large and small organizations, and what leadership skills travel with you no matter where you are. Chris has built and led global go-to-market teams across Microsoft, Wind River, and Exein over a 25-year career, giving him a rare vantage point on how leadership instincts shift with context. In this conversation, he shares his trust-first philosophy, how he hires for attitude and aptitude over deep experience, and what it takes to lead cross-cultural global teams with clarity. Chris also breaks down the cybersecurity challenge facing IoT and manufacturing leaders today: why centralized security is not enough when devices are scattered across facilities, what the EU Cyber Resilience Act means for device makers, and why a casino fish tank thermometer became the entry point for a major data breach. This episode is for engineering leaders, operations managers, and technical sales leaders navigating organizational growth, scale, or transition who want to lead with clarity and trust regardless of the environment. In this episode, you will learn: Why autonomy in small companies amplifies both your best and your worst decisionsHow to extend trust from day one, and when to recalibrateWhy in-person time with global teams compounds over months of remote workHow to hire for attitude and aptitude when deep experience is hard to findWhat distributed device security means for IoT and manufacturing leadersWhy the best leaders combine vision and confidence with genuine humilityHow to recognize when your leadership style no longer fits your environmentAbout the guest: Chris Lanier is Managing Director, Americas at Exein. He spent more than 20 years at Microsoft in multiple director-level roles leading Americas and worldwide sales organizations across IoT, cloud, automotive, and embedded platforms. He also held executive leadership roles at Wind River. Chris is known for his people-first approach, his commitment to transparency and trust, and his track record of building high-performing globally distributed teams. Hosted by: Sannah Vinding is an engineer, B2B marketing strategist, leadership educator, and host of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast. She helps leaders across electronics, manufacturing, and supply chain lead technical teams with clarity, trust, and confidence as complexity and AI reshape how work gets done. Listen to more episodes, sign up for the weekly leadership newsletter, and explore insights at: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/ Stay curious. Keep learning. Keep leading forward.

    40 min
  4. How to Build Trust as a Modern Rep Using AI to Prep Smarter Conversations

    FEB 24

    How to Build Trust as a Modern Rep Using AI to Prep Smarter Conversations

    The tools are changing. But leadership is what determines whether they create impact. In Part 2 of this conversation on the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding continues the discussion with Tom Walker, Co-Founder and Vice President of Spectron Components, shifting the focus from tactics to leadership. In Part 1, Tom shared how AI-powered workflows are helping modern manufacturer’s reps identify better targets, prepare smarter, and demonstrate real return on investment. In this episode, the conversation goes deeper. How do you build trust when AI becomes part of your workflow?How do you stay relevant without losing the human connection?How do small rep firms scale intelligently without losing culture? Tom shares how AI is reshaping preparation, account strategy, and multi-line selling. He explains how tools like custom GPTs and data-driven targeting allow reps to walk into meetings focused on the customer’s real problem, not guessing. But the bigger theme is this: preparation builds trust. You’ll hear how Spectron Components maintains a strong culture while adopting new tools, why compatibility matters when choosing lines, and what mindset shifts reps need to stay competitive in the next five years. This episode is for leaders in manufacturing, distribution, and the manufacturer’s rep community who want to modernize their approach without sacrificing credibility, relationships, or long-term thinking. In this episode, you will learn: Why trust is built before the meeting ever startsHow AI helps reps identify real customer pain points fasterHow multi-line selling becomes smarter with structured dataWhy company culture matters even more as tools evolveHow small rep firms can compete with larger organizationsWhat mindset shift is required to stay relevant in the next 2 to 5 yearsWhy long-term relationships still outperform short-term wins About the guest: Tom Walker is Co-Founder and Vice President of Spectron Components, an award-winning manufacturer’s rep firm in Southern California. With more than three decades in the electronics industry, Tom brings a practical, grounded perspective on how reps can adapt, stay human, and build lasting relationships while integrating AI into their workflows. Hosted by: Sannah Vinding is an engineer, global product marketing and go-to-market leader, and host of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast. She helps leaders across electronics, manufacturing, and supply chain lead technical teams with clarity and trust as AI reshapes how work gets done. Listen to more episodes, sign up for the weekly leadership newsletter, and explore leadership insights at: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/ Stay curious. Keep learning. Keep leading forward.

    45 min
  5. How Leaders Modernize the Manufacturers Rep Role Using AI and Smarter Workflows

    FEB 10

    How Leaders Modernize the Manufacturers Rep Role Using AI and Smarter Workflows

    The role of the manufacturer’s rep has changed. Access is more limited. Expectations are higher. And the old playbook no longer works the way it used to. In Part 1 of this two-part episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding is joined by Tom Walker, Co-Founder and Vice President of Spectron Components, to break down how the modern manufacturer’s rep role is evolving in response to these shifts. This conversation focuses on execution. Tom shares how reps are moving from traditional technical support into a more proactive, data-driven “hunter” role. You’ll hear how AI-powered workflows, custom GPTs, and smarter targeting are helping reps identify the right accounts, find verified engineering and purchasing contacts, and support principals more effectively. Rather than chasing volume or relying on cold outreach, Tom explains how Spectron uses curated drip marketing, physical and digital mini-guides, and Salesforce reporting to build trust, reduce noise, and create real return on investment for both customers and manufacturers. This episode is for leaders across manufacturing, distribution, and the manufacturer’s rep community who want to understand what effective rep partnerships look like today and how AI can support smarter, more focused execution without losing the human connection. In this episode, you will learn: Why the manufacturer’s rep role has shifted from support to huntingHow limited access is reshaping sales and marketing workflowsHow AI and custom GPTs can identify target accounts and verified contactsWhy curated drip marketing outperforms cold outreachHow reps can demonstrate ROI and accountability to principalsWhat modern rep effectiveness actually looks like in practice About the guest: Tom Walker is Co-Founder and Vice President of Spectron Components, an award-winning manufacturer’s rep firm in Southern California. With decades of experience connecting electronic component manufacturers with OEM engineers and buyers, Tom brings a practical, real-world perspective on sales, marketing, and AI-enabled workflows in the rep industry. Hosted by: Sannah Vinding is an engineer, B2B marketing strategist, leadership educator, and host of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast. She helps leaders across electronics, manufacturing, and supply chain lead technical teams with clarity, trust, and confidence as complexity and AI reshape how work gets done. Part 2 continues the conversation with a deeper look at leadership, skills, and what the future manufacturer’s rep model requires. Listen to more episodes, sign up for the weekly leadership newsletter, and explore insights at: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/ Stay curious. Keep learning. Keep leading forward.

    35 min
  6. How Leaders Start Using AI Without Overwhelming Their Teams

    JAN 27

    How Leaders Start Using AI Without Overwhelming Their Teams

    How should leaders start using AI without overwhelming teams or chasing tools that never deliver real value? In this bonus episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding is joined again by Ellen Albright, Marketing and Communications Director at E-T-A Engineering Technology, for a focused conversation on starting AI adoption the right way. This short episode centers on one critical leadership principle. AI only creates value when it is aligned with real business objectives. Sannah and Ellen discuss why leaders should start small, avoid tool overload, and treat AI as a support system for daily work rather than a shortcut or trend to chase. Building on the full conversation in Episode 133, this bonus episode highlights practical guidance around refining prompts, setting guardrails, and introducing AI in ways that build trust instead of resistance. The discussion reinforces that AI adoption is a leadership and change management challenge, not just a technology decision. This episode is for leaders in electronics, manufacturing, and supply chain who want to move from experimentation to intentional, people-first AI adoption. In this episode, you will learn: Why AI must align with real business goals to deliver valueHow starting small helps teams avoid AI overwhelmWhy refining prompts over time leads to better outcomesHow AI can support daily work without creating noiseWhy leadership clarity matters more than tools in AI adoption About the guest: Ellen Albright is the Marketing and Communications Director at E-T-A Engineering Technology, where she leads multi-channel marketing, sales enablement, and people-first AI initiatives that support efficiency while protecting engineering expertise and customer trust. Hosted by: Sannah Vinding is an engineer, B2B marketing strategist, leadership educator, and host of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast. She helps leaders across electronics, manufacturing, and supply chain lead technical teams with clarity, trust, and confidence as complexity and AI reshape how work gets done. Listen to more episodes, sign up for the weekly leadership newsletter, and explore insights at: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/ Stay curious. Keep learning. Keep leading forward.

    6 min
  7. How Leaders Turn Technical Data Into Faster Sales Answers Using AI

    JAN 13

    How Leaders Turn Technical Data Into Faster Sales Answers Using AI

    How can leaders use AI to deliver faster technical answers without overwhelming teams or losing trust? In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding speaks with Ellen Albright, Marketing and Communications Director at E-T-A Engineering Technology, about building a practical AI agent to support sales and engineering teams. This conversation explores how leaders can turn technical data into faster, more reliable answers by using AI as a first step rather than a replacement for human expertise. Sannah and Ellen discuss governance, training, and change management, and why successful AI adoption depends more on leadership clarity than on tools. This episode is for leaders in electronics, manufacturing, and supply chain who want to move beyond experimentation and implement AI in ways that improve efficiency, protect trust, and strengthen customer experience. In this episode, you will learn: How leaders build AI agents to support sales and engineering teamsWhy AI works best as a starting point, not a final decision makerHow governance and training shape successful AI adoptionWhere human judgment and validation remain essentialHow to align AI initiatives with real business goals About the guest: Ellen Albright is the Marketing and Communications Director at E-T-A Engineering Technology, where she has spent more than 20 years leading multi-channel marketing, sales enablement, and channel partner initiatives. She is actively involved in implementing people-first AI strategies that improve internal efficiency while protecting engineering expertise and customer relationships. Hosted by: Sannah Vinding is an engineer, B2B marketing strategist, leadership educator, and host of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast. She helps leaders across electronics, manufacturing, and supply chain build people-first cultures, communicate clearly, and lead with confidence as technology continues to evolve. Listen to more episodes, sign up for the weekly leadership newsletter, and explore insights at: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/ Stay curious. Keep learning. Keep leading forward.

    41 min
  8. How should leaders respond when disruption cannot be predicted?

    12/31/2025

    How should leaders respond when disruption cannot be predicted?

    In this short bonus episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding speaks with Bruce Kellar, Senior Vice President of Sales at Sager Electronics, about leading through disruption with clarity, composure, and confidence. This focused conversation explores why overreacting creates risk, how leaders can educate themselves before acting, and why communicating both decisions and reasoning builds trust across teams. Bruce shares practical leadership guidance shaped by decades in the electronics industry and explains why adaptability and the willingness to pivot are essential when conditions continue to change. This episode is for leaders in electronics, manufacturing, and supply chain who want to stay steady during uncertainty, communicate clearly, and lead people through disruption with confidence. ⸻ In this episode, you will learn: Why leaders should not overreact when disruption hitsHow education and perspective lead to better leadership decisionsWhy communicating the why behind decisions builds trustHow adaptability helps teams stay aligned during changeWhat steady, people-first leadership looks like in uncertain environments ⸻ About the guest: Bruce Kellar is Senior Vice President of Sales at Sager Electronics. With more than four decades in the electronics industry and nearly three decades at Sager, he has led national sales strategy, built high-performing teams, and driven sustained growth across distribution, OEM, and EMS channels. Bruce is widely respected for his disciplined execution, clear communication, and integrity-driven leadership. ⸻ Hosted by: Sannah Vinding is an engineer, B2B marketing strategist, leadership educator, and host of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast. She helps leaders across the electronics and manufacturing industries build people-first cultures, communicate clearly, and lead with confidence through constant change. ⸻ Listen to more episodes, sign up for the weekly leadership newsletter, and explore insights at: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/ This Podcast episode is sponsored by Sager Electronics Stay curious. Keep learning. Keep leading forward.

    5 min
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5
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Leading technical teams when complexity keeps rising is one of the hardest jobs in any industry. This podcast is built for the people doing exactly that. The Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast delivers practical leadership conversations for engineers, sales leaders, operations professionals, and executives across electronics, semiconductor, and manufacturing industries. Hosted by Sannah Vinding, the show features candid discussions with executives and industry leaders across the electronics value chain. Guests share real decisions, hard lessons, and the leadership moves that matter when pressure is constant and the margin for error is thin. Each episode explores how leaders communicate clearly across technical and non-technical teams, build trust and accountability across functions and regions, navigate AI adoption and rapid market change, and turn listening, feedback, and belief into execution. No fluff. No theory. Just leadership insights you can apply immediately. Trusted by 4,500+ professionals. Ranked among the top leadership podcasts worldwide. Watched more than 200,000 times on YouTube. New episodes weekly at leadershipinmanufacturing.com

Information

  • Creator
    Sannah Vinding
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    139
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 uceptive inc
  • Show Website
    Leadership in Manufacturing

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