Meet: Michelle Nunes – South America Process and Engineering Manager

At Sealed Air, celebrating our people and their accomplishments is a core part of our culture. In our “Meet: Our People” series, you’ll hear directly from our people across the globe on what it’s like working at SEE, and a little bit about them outside of work.

Location: Jaguariúna, Brazil.

Time at SEE: I have been at SEE for 14 years…. and counting.

My workday consists of: A balance between supporting strategic projects implementation for the region through CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) investments such as: global transformation, various safety programs, and infrastructure improvements. I also have my local team working on process improvements and new product release projects for Brazil.

My career path to my current role was: Always inside supply chain but playing different roles. I started at SEE in 2009 in Quality, as Regulatory Affairs Engineer in Vila Leopoldina (VL), which closed in 2015. After 1.5 years, I moved to Jaguariúna with the mission to implement a few basic quality programs such as GMP (good manufacturing practice) and quality control. During this time, I had the opportunity to move to the process engineering area. While there, I supported the process and product start up in Jaguariúna during the transition plan and closure of activities at VL.    

In 2014, I assumed the responsibility and coordination of process engineering, leading a team of process engineers that were responsible for projects of process improvement. In 2018, I became manager of process and CAPEX engineering. My scope expanded to lead industrial projects too, to budget the AOP (Annual Operation Plan) CAPEX and make sure we could advance in the plan that was forecasted. In 2021, I assumed my current role of regional leader for Engineering and Process for South America. 

What I enjoy most about working at SEE is: The collaborative and cross functional environment. Independent of the role or position, I feel very welcome to address a question and to contact anyone, even overseas. The intentional effort to listen, evaluate, and return with a proposed solution demonstrates that our people care about each other and about the company. I really enjoy when I can exchange knowledge with Qinpu, China, or Epernon, France, Kuantan, Malaysia, or Simpsonville, S.C., facilities… it seems like we are just a few miles apart. 

I feel passionate about the future at SEE because: As it is stated in our mission statement - Leave the world better than we find it – it’s so meaningful to see the future as a better place for my child, my team’s children and for our community. Motherhood brings even more responsibility to be better today and to see in my son the reflection of that. 

The core value that inspires me the most is Innovative because: It drives our transformation process, it challenges us to change our mindset, and forces us to break the status quo. 

Someone who was an important influence on my career: Inside the company, I had the opportunity to develop myself with great support and trust. Leaders that had not been my direct managers intentionally spent time coaching me, suggesting different paths. In my journey, Franz Piffer, Global Director of Capacity Planning, Adrian Martinez, Vice President of Global Supply Chain Transformation and Supply Chain South America, and Reginaldo Rodrigues, Executive Director of Global Environmental, Health & Safety, made the difference. I am thankful for them, and my mission is to be that person to others, especially women who wish to walk paths like mine.  

Out of the office you can find me: With my almost two-year-old son! Most of my “free-not-so-free-time” is dedicated to him. It's so magical to see this world through his eyes. Our free time is spent doing many fun things such as playing with sand, drawing on paper, dancing together. I love it. When I am not spending time with him, I have a passion for listening to classical music, journaling, and watching Geek series.

Interested in joining us? Check out our careers page for open roles.