Leadership in Manufacturing

Sannah Vinding
  • 5.0 (27)
  • Management
  • Updated Biweekly

Leading technical, commercial, cross-functional, and global teams takes clarity, trust, and sound judgment. Leadership in Manufacturing is built for the people doing that work across the electronics and manufacturing ecosystem. Hosted and produced by Sannah Vinding, an engineer with a master’s in mechanical engineering, a product marketing and go-to-market leader, and an author. She brings firsthand experience building teams, developing products, and connecting technical expertise with commercial growth to every conversation. Hear from executives and industry leaders across electronics, manufacturing, distribution, supply chain, semiconductors, and the manufacturers’ rep community. Guests share real decisions, hard lessons, and practical habits that help teams move forward when pressure is high, resources are stretched, and customer needs are changing. Each episode explores how leaders: Communicate clearly across technical and non-technical teams Build trust across functions, cultures, and regions Develop the next generation of leaders Navigate market shifts and organizational change Use AI and data with sound judgment Turn listening and feedback into action These are practical leadership lessons grounded in the experiences of people working inside the industry. Trusted by 4,800+ leaders across manufacturing, distribution, and technical industries. Listed #5 on Million Podcasts’ Best Podcasts for Manufacturers in the US, ranked in the Top 5% globally by Listen Notes, and watched more than 250,000 times on YouTube. New episodes weekly. Explore the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast for full episodes and leadership resources.

  1. 1d ago

    How Distribution Leaders Build Trust as AI Speeds Up Work

    Riad Nizam, President of Master Electronics, joins Sannah Vinding on the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast to discuss how distribution leaders build trust as AI speeds up work across the electronics industry. Riad shares how Master Electronics builds a relationship-first culture through communication, decision-making, feedback, mindset, and customer and supplier trust. He also talks about how AI is helping the organization think differently, bigger, and faster, while people still own the final judgment. This conversation is for leaders in electronics distribution, manufacturing, supplier relationships, sales, product, and technical teams who want to move faster without losing trust, communication, or human judgment. In this episode, you will learn: How Master Electronics supports faster decisions with practical decision toolsWhy trust is still one of the strongest advantages in electronics distributionWhere communication breaks down between suppliers, distributors, and customersWhat customers ask for now around tariffs, compliance, supply chain, pricing, and lead timesHow AI can help teams think differently without replacing human decision-makingWhy mindset, humility, and positive energy are hard to train laterHow leaders can make feedback easier by asking for it firstWhy culture has to grow from both the top and the teamAbout the guest: Riad Nizam is President of Master Electronics, a family-owned and operated electronics distributor with more than 50 years of history. Master Electronics was founded by Ike Nizam in 1967. Riad has held leadership roles across sales, product marketing, general management, and executive leadership. Hosted by Sannah Vinding, engineer, product marketing and GTM leader, and host of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast. Stay curious. Keep learning.

    How Distribution Leaders Build Trust as AI Speeds Up Work

  2. Aug 25

    Why Good Managers Build Trust Before They Need It

    Nate Witsaman, Manager of New Market Development at DigiKey, joins Sannah Vinding on the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast to discuss curiosity, communication, feedback, remote leadership, and developing people in technical teams. Good managers do not wait until something goes wrong to build trust with their people. Nate shares how he thinks about the shift from managing tasks to developing people. He talks about asking better questions, learning how people want to be recognized, making space for quieter voices, and building relationships before the hard moments arrive. In this episode, you will learn: Why curiosity is one of the strongest management skillsHow managers can build trust before a difficult conversationWhy recognition and feedback need to be personalHow remote leaders can avoid becoming only transactionalWhy quieter team members may need room and a direct invitation to speakHow slowing down can help teams improve before pressure risesWhy safe practice helps future leaders grow About the guest: Nate Witsaman, MBA, is Manager of New Market Development at DigiKey. He works with emerging technologies, supplier relationships, product onboarding, and market development across the electronics distribution ecosystem. Hosted by Sannah Vinding, engineer, product marketing and GTM leader, author of Visible or Invisible, and host of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast. Sign up for the newsletter: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/ Sannah's book, Visible or Invisible, is coming this September. It is about how industrial B2B companies win buyers when AI builds the shortlist. Get on the list here: https://visibleorinvisible.com/ Stay curious. Keep learning.

    Why Good Managers Build Trust Before They Need It

  3. Aug 11

    Why Credibility Still Wins in Technical Sales

    Technical sales still runs on credibility. AI can help teams move faster, but speed does not replace substance, follow-through, or customer trust. In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, Sannah Vinding talks with Michael "Mic" Cardone, President at ENOVA USA. Mic leads the company's U.S. growth in professional audio cables and connectors for musicians, studios, live-sound teams, and AV integrators. Mic shares what he has learned from building ENOVA USA, using AI for marketing and business operations, learning new skills, and staying grounded in the kind of credibility customers can actually feel. One line from earlier in his career shaped the conversation: "All you salespeople, you're all foam and no beer." In this episode, you will learn: Why credibility still matters in technical sales How AI can support sales and marketing without replacing judgment Why authenticity matters when customers can spot generic messaging quickly What ownership teaches leaders about patience and decision-making How leaders can keep learning from people who know more than they do Why face-to-face communication still matters for younger leaders What persistence looks like when building a company About the guest: Michael "Mic" Cardone is President of ENOVA USA. He has more than 25 years of experience across sales, management, channel development, Pro AV, systems integration, telecommunications, and OEM markets. Hosted by Sannah Vinding, engineer, product marketing and GTM leader, author of Visible or Invisible, and host of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast. Sign up for the newsletter: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/ Sannah's book, Visible or Invisible, is coming this September. It is about how industrial B2B companies win buyers when AI builds the shortlist. Get on the list here: https://visibleorinvisible.com/ Stay curious. Keep learning.

    Why Credibility Still Wins in Technical Sales

  4. Jul 28

    AI as the Assistant, Not the Salesperson

    How should manufacturers use AI better without turning it into another tool that adds more noise? In this short follow-up conversation, Andy Coyle, Senior Director of Sales at ebm-papst Inc., talks about using AI for research, CRM updates, follow-up, documentation, quoting, and sales support. Sannah connects that back to the real leadership point: AI can speed up repetitive work, but people still own the thinking, the judgment, and the customer conversation. This short episode follows my two-part conversation with Andy Coyle. Listen to the full conversation in Episode 146 and Episode 147: Episode 146: Why the Last Mile of Sales Still Happens Face to Face https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/why-the-last-mile-of-sales-still-happens-face-to-face-episode-146/ Episode 147: Why Strong Leaders Get Comfortable Saying “I Don’t Know” https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/why-strong-leaders-get-comfortable-saying-i-dont-know-episode-147/ Andy Coyle has spent more than thirty years in electronics, distribution, and manufacturing sales, with experience at Hallmark Electronics, Sager Electronics, Laird Technologies, and ebm-papst. Hosted by Sannah Vinding, engineer, go-to-market leader, and host of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast. Sign up for the newsletter: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/

    AI as the Assistant, Not the Salesperson

  5. Jul 14

    Why Strong Leaders Get Comfortable Saying I Don’t Know

    Strong leaders do not have every answer. They know how to make decisions, support their teams, and create enough trust that people can say what they need. In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, Sannah Vinding continues her conversation with Andy Coyle, Senior Director of Sales at ebm-papst Inc. This is part two of the conversation. Part one focused on sales training, AI as a practical tool, and why the last mile of sales still depends on trust. Part two moves into leadership. If you missed part one of my conversation with Andy, listen to Episode 146, where we talked about sales training, AI as a practical tool, and why the last mile of sales still depends on trust. Andy talks about authenticity, having your team's back, making decisions with incomplete information, the mentors who shaped him, and the lesson he wishes he had learned earlier: being comfortable saying, "I don't know, but together we can figure this out." In this episode, you will learn: Why authenticity matters more than polish when people decide whether to trust a leaderWhat it means to have your team's back in hard moments and good onesHow leaders make decisions when the information is incompleteWhy mentors can give direction without giving every answerHow travel, relocation, and global work can shape leadership perspectiveWhy your team decides what kind of leader you areHow leaders can respond when someone asks for more directionAndy Coyle is Senior Director of Sales at ebm-papst Inc. He has spent more than thirty years in electronics, distribution, and manufacturing sales, with experience at Hallmark Electronics, Sager Electronics, Laird Technologies, and ebm-papst. Hosted by Sannah Vinding, engineer, go-to-market leader, and host of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast. Sign up for the newsletter: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/ Stay curious. Keep learning.

    Why Strong Leaders Get Comfortable Saying I Don’t Know

  6. Jun 30

    Why the Last Mile of Sales Still Happens Face to Face

    Sales teams have more tools than ever. Product training has expanded. CRM training has expanded. AI training is next. But the basics of selling still matter when a buyer pushes back, a customer relationship gets tense, or a major opportunity needs trust before it can move forward. In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, Sannah Vinding talks with Andy Coyle, Senior Director of Sales at ebm-papst Inc., about sales training, trust, AI, and what it means to be a high-touch leader in a high-tech world. Andy shares why his team went back to the basics after COVID, including networking, prospecting, pre-call planning, sales calls, follow-up, and role play. He also talks about why vulnerability is a strength, how distribution and manufacturing move at different speeds, and why AI can support sales work without replacing human judgment. In this episode, you will learn: Why sales training still matters in electronics, manufacturing, and technical salesWhat gets lost when teams focus only on product, CRM, and tool trainingHow vulnerability helps leaders and salespeople ask better questionsWhy distribution and manufacturing often work at different speedsWhat Andy's post-COVID sales boot camp taught his teamHow AI can help with research, comparison, and preparationWhy the last mile of sales still depends on trust, judgment, and face-to-face conversationAbout the guest: Andy Coyle is Senior Director of Sales at ebm-papst Inc. He has spent more than thirty years in electronics, distribution, and manufacturing sales. His work focuses on sales leadership, channel development, customer and distributor relationships, and helping teams grow through people-first leadership. Hosted by Sannah Vinding, engineer, go-to-market leader, and host of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast. Subscribe to the Leadership in Manufacturing newsletter: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/ Stay curious. Keep learning.

    Why the Last Mile of Sales Still Happens Face to Face

  7. Jun 16

    What Distribution Leaders Need Before They Automate

    Automation can improve distribution operations, but only when leaders understand the work, the team, and the flexibility the business still needs. In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, Sannah Vinding talks with Aaron Hein, Senior Director of Distribution Operations at Sager Electronics, about leading operational change, building a new distribution operation, and choosing flexibility before locking into automation too early. Aaron shares what he learned from leading teams through change, communicating when information is incomplete, and staying steady when the plan keeps shifting. He also talks about where AI fits in warehouse and distribution operations today, and why the human side of leadership still matters. In this episode, you will learn: What distribution leaders should consider before they automateWhy flexibility can matter more than a fixed system in a new operationHow to lead through a facility transition with empathy and clarityWhy steady leadership matters when the plan keeps changingWhere AI can help operations, and where human judgment still mattersHow leaders can build trust before asking teams to changeWhat younger leaders should know about patience and opportunityAaron Hein is Senior Director of Distribution Operations at Sager Electronics, where he leads operations, logistics, and quality efforts. He brings more than 15 years of experience in distribution, supply chain, continuous improvement, and industrial engineering across the electronics and manufacturing sectors. Hosted by Sannah Vinding, the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast brings practical leadership conversations to leaders across electronics, manufacturing, distribution, and technical industries. Newsletter: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/ Stay curious. Keep learning. This Podcast episode is sponsored by Sager Electronics

    What Distribution Leaders Need Before They Automate

  8. Jun 2

    How Rep Firms Prove Value Beyond Sales

    The manufacturers rep role is changing. Territory coverage and relationships still matter, but manufacturers now expect stronger opportunity visibility, better data, more technical confidence, and a clearer reason to keep investing in the rep relationship. In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, Sannah Vinding continues her conversation with Walter Tobin, former CEO of the Electronics Representatives Association. This is part two of their discussion on the electronics channel, and it focuses on how rep firms need to evolve beyond traditional sales positioning. Walter explains why the best rep firms are thinking more like consulting firms, how AI can help identify customers and opportunities, why digital presence matters, and why succession planning should be visible to principals before it becomes a concern. In this episode, you will learn: Why rep firms need to prove value beyond the line cardHow lead flow has changed between reps and manufacturersWhy digital presence matters for customer trustHow the consulting mindset can help recruit technical talentWhy succession planning matters to principalsWhat manufacturers often misunderstand about the rep modelWhy technical training matters for the next generation of channel leadersHow AI can help identify customers and opportunitiesAbout the guest: Walter Tobin is the former CEO of the Electronics Representatives Association. He spent much of his career in electronic distribution, including senior leadership at Future Electronics, before leading ERA and supporting the independent rep community across the electronics channel. Hosted by Sannah Vinding, engineer and go-to-market leader focused on practical leadership in technical environments. Sign up for the newsletter: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/ Stay curious. Keep learning.

    How Rep Firms Prove Value Beyond Sales
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About

Leading technical, commercial, cross-functional, and global teams takes clarity, trust, and sound judgment. Leadership in Manufacturing is built for the people doing that work across the electronics and manufacturing ecosystem. Hosted and produced by Sannah Vinding, an engineer with a master’s in mechanical engineering, a product marketing and go-to-market leader, and an author. She brings firsthand experience building teams, developing products, and connecting technical expertise with commercial growth to every conversation. Hear from executives and industry leaders across electronics, manufacturing, distribution, supply chain, semiconductors, and the manufacturers’ rep community. Guests share real decisions, hard lessons, and practical habits that help teams move forward when pressure is high, resources are stretched, and customer needs are changing. Each episode explores how leaders: Communicate clearly across technical and non-technical teams Build trust across functions, cultures, and regions Develop the next generation of leaders Navigate market shifts and organizational change Use AI and data with sound judgment Turn listening and feedback into action These are practical leadership lessons grounded in the experiences of people working inside the industry. Trusted by 4,800+ leaders across manufacturing, distribution, and technical industries. Listed #5 on Million Podcasts’ Best Podcasts for Manufacturers in the US, ranked in the Top 5% globally by Listen Notes, and watched more than 250,000 times on YouTube. New episodes weekly. Explore the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast for full episodes and leadership resources.

Information

  • Creator
    Sannah Vinding
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    151
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 uceptive inc
  • Show Website
    Leadership in Manufacturing

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