Women to Watch: Jayashree Ramesh of Vijayashree Packaging

Jayashree Ramesh joined Vijayashree Packaging around two years ago. As the purchase and procurement manager, she oversees the operational aspects of the family business; her father inspired her to join the printing and packaging fraternity. 

She explains, “I have grown up watching my father work in this industry, so printing and packaging have always been familiar and interesting to me.” She adds, “Seeing [my father’s] dedication, the amount of time and effort he invested, and the respect he earned through his knowledge and relationships made me want to follow in his footsteps and proudly carry forward the legacy.”

On her first day, she notes, she felt a strong sense of responsibility. She observes, “At the same time, it did not feel completely new because I had known many of the people working here since childhood.” The sense of familiarity helped her in adapting to the fast-paced environment of a production plant, making the transition from an educational setting to a plant smoother.

A day in the life
As purchase and procurement manager at Vijayashree Packaging, Jayashree’s day-to-day responsibilities include coordinating with suppliers, ensuring raw materials are available on time, negotiating costs, and working with production requirements. She notes, “Every day is different, and the role requires a balance of planning, communication, and quick problem-solving.”

She shares that one of her favourite aspects of working at Vijayashree is walking through the production floor and witnessing the transformation of a raw material into a finished product. “The sound of the machines running makes me feel connected to the craft and the effort behind every package produced,” she remarks.

Navigating the industry
In an industry where shop floor roles are overwhelmingly held by men, Jayashree’s approach has been patience and respect. “Many of the people on the shop floor have decades of hands-on experience, and I believe there is a lot to learn from them beyond what books or systems can teach,” she explains. “Instead of trying to prove myself immediately, I focused on listening, observing, asking questions, and understanding the practical side of the industry through their experience,” she adds.

And there’s a silver lining. She believes that a positive change within the industry and Vijayashree Packaging is underway. She notes, “Earlier, most shop floor and operational roles were largely male-dominated, but after I joined, we started bringing in more women across departments, including the shop floor.” She continues, “Today, women in our company are handling these roles very efficiently, and it is nice to see the workplace becoming more inclusive and balanced.”

Trusting the process
An important skill that has helped her in not only navigating the industry but also in advancing her career is communication and relationship management. Jayashree remarks, “In procurement, maintaining strong relationships with vendors, understanding timelines, and handling pressure calmly are all equally important. I’ve learned that trust and consistency go a long way in this industry.”

Being patient and trusting the learning is also a piece of advice that she would whisper to the younger version of herself. She believes, “This industry teaches you something new every day, and real understanding comes with experience, observation, and consistency over time.”

“What keeps me motivated is the bigger picture — the responsibility of carrying forward a legacy while also contributing fresh ideas and improvements.” While change takes time, especially in the context of the printing and packaging industry, which has its roots in traditional male-dominated roles, she believes that consistency and results eventually speak for themselves.

Looking ahead
Jayashree shares that at Vijayashree Packaging, the focus is on improving quality, strengthening customer relationships, and growing capabilities. She notes, “We are also looking at ways to modernise certain processes and expand further while staying true to the values and foundation the company was built on.”

In the current technology-driven industry, she admires the older generation’s ability to perform mental calculations and recall details from experience. While modern tools enhance efficiency and accuracy, she emphasises that skills such as mental calculation and memory remain essential for a deeper understanding of the work.