![\"Katelyn](\"http:\/\/eng.auburn.edu\/\/images\/_wide\/rheinlander.png\")
Dubbed by #Ginning as the \u201cproductivity tsarina,\u201d Katelyn Rheinlander has a pretty cool job\u2014almost as cool as the Cool Ranch Doritos she helps make. Rheinlander is the productivity manager for Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo. A 2013 biosystems engineering graduate, Rheinlander spends her days solving problems, creating solutions and making sure America\u2019s favorite snacks hit the grocery store shelves on schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Making the drive from the largest Frito-Lay facility in North America, Rheinlander came to Auburn to spend the day with current and perspective students during E-day. She then took the opportunity to sit down with the communications and marketing podcast team to talk about her position at Frito-Lay, her experience as an Auburn Engineering alumna and member of 100+ Women Strong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI make Doritos for a living,\u201d Rheinlander said with a laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the productivity manager, her job is much more complex than simply making chips, although she makes the process look easy. Rheinlander spends her time solving problems at the drop of a hat. She is responsible for solving any and every productivity issue for her team\u2014from equipment issues to power outages\u2014and has to change the plan to make sure production continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe pace of work and sense of urgency\u2014that\u2019s what\u2019s cool. That was the most important part for me when looking for this position after I graduated,\u201d said Rheinlander. \u201cThe challenge of the work is what makes it so fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rheinlander does not shy away from a challenge, even being the first in her family to pursue engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeing the first engineer in my family, I didn\u2019t really know what was possible or what an engineer even did,\u201d said Rheinlander. \u201cIt was great to talk to students at E-day today, to provide them with resources and support and get them excited about engineering. I know for me it would have been nice to have a resource like that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thinking through her experience as a student was one reason Rheinlander decided to join 100+ Women Strong. In participating in the program, she wants to be the mentor and resource she always wanted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know I would have loved to have that mentor,\u201d said Rheinlander. \u201c100+ Women Strong is a program to recruit, retain and reward women in engineering. It has been awesome to be a part of the organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through her interesting work at Frito-Lay and her participation in 100+ Women Strong, Rheinlander serves as an inspiration for future Auburn Engineering alumni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To learn more about 100+ Women Strong, visit https:\/\/www.eng.auburn.edu\/giving\/100-women-strong<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Listen to the full podcast with Katelyn Rheinlander below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n