Women in Operations: Meet Jillian Lough
For Jillian Lough, one thing has remained constant throughout her career: the belief that small improvements can make a big difference.
Jillian works in production management, where she partners closely with manufacturing, continuous improvement, and finance teams to understand performance, costs and opportunities for improvement. She joined Ahlstrom a few years after leaving school, following in the footsteps of her father and uncle, who had both built successful careers with the company.
A career built on continuous improvement
What attracted Jillian was the complexity of manufacturing and the way every part of the process connects to every other. “I find manufacturing fascinating because everything is connected. Small improvements can have a big impact, and I enjoy helping to identify those opportunities.”
Today, Jillian enjoys being the link between the numbers and what’s happening on the production floor. By linking operational data with day-to-day production realities, she helps the business make informed decisions and find ways to perform better. Although manufacturing is dynamic and priorities can change quickly, seeing that work lead to better decisions is one of the most rewarding parts of her role.
Multiple opportunities to make an impact
While manufacturing has traditionally been a male-dominated environment, Jillian says her own experience has been overwhelmingly positive. “Throughout my career, I’ve focused on building credibility through knowledge, professionalism, and a willingness to contribute.” She also believes diverse teams are stronger, bringing different perspectives that help businesses innovate and succeed.
For women considering a career in manufacturing, her advice is simple. “Don’t be intimidated. Manufacturing offers a wide range of career opportunities, and no one expects you to know everything from day one. Stay curious, ask questions, and never underestimate the value you can bring to a team.”
Bringing the growth mindset beyond the mill
Jillian’s father's influence reaches beyond the mill. He and her grandad introduced Jillian to golf at an early age, and what began as a shared pastime soon turned into something more serious. Earlier this year, she finished as runner-up in her first appearance at the Scottish Senior Women’s International Open. The result exceeded even her own expectations.
Jillian sees many similarities between the mindset needed to succeed in golf and in manufacturing. “Both are about consistency rather than perfection. Success usually comes from getting lots of small things right over a long period of time. Preparation, teamwork, continuous improvement, and learning from mistakes all apply equally to both.”
Looking ahead, Jillian hopes to continue developing her knowledge at Ahlstrom while also representing Scotland in more championships. “Don't be afraid to challenge yourself. You never know what you’re capable of until you step outside your comfort zone.”
