How HR Builds Culture in Factories and High-Pressure Operations

In this episode of the Vantage HR Influencers Podcast, we explore how HR leaders can build strong, people-centered cultures in factories and high-pressure operational environments.

Host Riha is joined by Ana Carolina Mason, Head of HR in the UAE, to discuss what it takes to create trust, engagement, and consistency in workplaces where speed, safety, productivity, and frontline coordination are critical. Together, they unpack how HR can support employees across factory floors and operational teams by strengthening communication, leadership visibility, employee well-being, and a sense of belonging.

Guest Bio

Ana Carolina Mason is a seasoned HR leader with over 16 years of international experience across the FMCG, automotive, and manufacturing sectors in Latin America and the Middle East. She has led people strategy, organizational development, HR business partnering, and large-scale transformation initiatives across complex operational environments.

Her career includes key roles in supporting the startup of BMW’s first factory in Latin America, leading HR operations at BRF’s Abu Dhabi factory, and overseeing the acquisition and integration of BRF’s first production site in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. She has also managed end-to-end HR functions at BRF’s International Markets Head Office in Dubai, supporting regional change management initiatives.

Currently, Ana leads HR for Americana Foods in the UAE, supporting a workforce of 700+ employees. A certified professional coach, she brings strong expertise in talent and performance management, ERP implementation, leadership development, employee engagement, inclusion, and cultural transformation. She is also passionate about facilitating training and workshops on communication, personal branding, and professional development across multicultural workplaces.

Timestamps

(03:41) - What does culture look like in a factory setting?

(08:59) - How can supervisors carry culture forward, not just enforce rules?

(17:57) - What communication strategies work best for frontline employees?

(25:32) - How can HR make safety a cultural value?

(33:23) - What wellbeing practices work on the factory floor?

(43:04) - How can HR build inclusivity across roles, shifts, and worker groups?