Employee Spotlight: Jennifer Doyle

Jennifer Doyle is the Office Manager at Stelray Plastic Products, responsible for overseeing a wide range of Administrative, Financial and Human Resources functions. In her twenty-seven year tenure at Stelray, Jennifer has helped transform our company into an agile, employee-focused operation with sights set on the future. Today, we turn the spotlight on Jen to learn more about her time at Stelray, what drives her, and how she’s helping build the next generation of small business leaders. 

What are some of your proudest accomplishments at Stelray?

More than anything, the length of my tenure. Over the past twenty-seven years, I’ve been able to grow and learn so much. If I had to choose something specific, I’d probably say that implementing our digital HR platform has been incredibly rewarding. Going from the original paper punch cards to 100% computer-based has made everyone’s lives so much easier, it’s made payroll much more streamlined. And, while it has been much more of a team effort and we are far from the finish line, I am also very proud of what we’ve done since implementing EOS (the Entrepreneurial Operating System).

What has been the biggest benefit of implementing EOS at Stelray?

It’s done so much for creating a meaningful leadership structure here and opening up communication. Not just from leaders to employees, but for everyone. Establishing our Core Values (Integrity, Service, Commitment, Teamwork) has brought a sense of community and cohesion. Who Stelray is and where we are headed. It’s a rallying point. And Human Resources has a big responsibility in being a steward and enabler for our Core Values. I want to make sure they aren’t just words on a wall. They are embedded in how we hire, how we manage, and how we support our employees every day.

Is there a Core Value that stands out the most to you?

Integrity. Doing the right thing consistently, no matter if there is anyone watching or not. It builds trust, which is the foundation of being a service provider. It guides us on how to treat each other and our customers, and what choices we make every day. It keeps us true to who we are.

How is your personal passion reflected in your day-to-day at Stelray?

I am very passionate about supporting people and creating structure. Any way that I can help employees feel valued and supported gives me a great sense of fulfillment. I am very excited about what we have been doing to develop our people and foster young careers. We brought in Alyssa Vannalath as a Customer Service Representative about six months ago and we are very happy with how she has gotten up to speed and integrated with our front office. And Dalyla Lopez, who came in as a Work-Based Learning student from Emmett O’Brien, has joined us as a full-time Mold Maker Apprentice. Tabitha Lee was also a Work-Based learning student from Emmett who was hired by Stelray after her graduation as a member of our Quality team. It means a lot to help build the next generation of Stelray.

Do you have any goals for your future?

Currently, I am a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). While I get a lot out of being just a member, I want to hit that next level of understanding and ownership that comes with being certified. I have completed the certification class and will be taking the test over the next few months to attain my SHRM certification. Already as a member I have been able to attend a number of SHRM events, including their annual conference this year in San Diego, and I have learned so much—ways to improve how we do things here at Stelray and even in my own personal life. 

What is one misconception you think people have about HR?

That HR only exists to protect the company and not the employees. It’s an easy assumption to make, but the fact is that we abide by the laws in place first and foremost. If the employee is in the right, we will do everything in our power to support them. But even before that, I believe a rising tide raises all ships. We are here for everyone, we want to make sure every employee at Stelray has access to the resources they need for all parts of life. Stelray is proud to offer Employee Assistance Programs because we know that being financially well, physically well, and mentally well is the only way to ensure that you are going to come in to work every day ready to do your job. And that goes for all of us.

Any fun facts or hobbies?

I am a bit of a crazy cat lady! I have two cats now, a brother-sister bonded pair. Gary is a tuxedo cat and Claire is a tortoiseshell. I have had up to five cats, so this is a little less than I’m used to. I also love to travel. I was recently in Punta Cana, celebrating my daughter’s wedding. It’s also where I went on my honeymoon with my husband and where we celebrated our five-year anniversary. But anywhere with a beach and sunshine is where I want to be! 

So after twenty-seven years, why Stelray?

It offered me the chance to step right into a genuinely close-knit team. From Day One, it felt like my contributions really mattered and that I was helping set the course of the company. That feeling has only grown in the years since.

This is fundamentally a family business: I was hired by Mort Saffran and I work every day with Larry. To be in an environment where you are working face-to-face with the President, to be supporting critical decisions and initiatives that shape the company is not common. It’s a unique and special environment. We all value trust, personal growth, and flexibility. Everyone who works here knows what it takes to be a mother or father, what it takes to really live a full life. I raised three children while working here full-time.

I think when we celebrated 50 years of Stelray last year at our anniversary event, we really got to see how being a people-first company has paid off for us, where it has earned us a lot of respect from our peers and from some pretty important people in this industry and the state of Connecticut.

Interested in learning more about Stelray?

Stelray Plastic Products offers numerous advantages for device manufacturers, including high-quality and precise products, cost-effective manufacturing, and design flexibility. With the ability to produce complex and intricate designs with tight tolerances, Stelray’s injection molding service is the preferred choice for your company’s molding solutions. To learn more about our injection molding services, including our medical molding solutions, get in touch.