Ellen Clunk, Hexpol Compounding North America | Women Breaking the Mold 2023

That the rubber industry is aging and male-dominated is no secret.

When a woman elevates herself from the manufacturing floor or laboratory to an executive position, the work to get there can be significant—not only for that person's career, but for all women in the industry.

Ellen Clunk, who became chief procurement officer at Hexpol Compounding North America in 2019, said she believes diversity in the rubber industry is trending positively.

"I've had and some great relationships here," Clunk said. "Hexpol has taken care of me. I've had good mentors to drag me along."

Clunk recalled an instance when she was a chemist in a previous position—her background is in developmental chemistry—and a long-retired chemist returned to the business and handed her flowers.

"He said it was for Administrative Assistant's Day," Clunk said. "And I'm like, 'What? I'm a chemist.'

"You have to just swallow your pride sometimes and just keep plugging along."

But Clunk said such social mores may be changing.

"The industry is aging, and it is male-dominated," she said. "But the more women we can get in the industry, the better. I am starting to see the shift. I think there are enough women in the industry now that people don't think that way as much anymore.

"We continue to look for younger blood, trying to change that narrative."

As Clunk completes her fourth year with Hexpol as chief procurement officer, Hexpol Compounding North America President Gary Moore, who himself once served as CPO at Hexpol, said Clunk has been an invaluable part of the team.

"Ellen has demonstrated a high business acumen, which has taken her career from her starting position as a development chemist to her current role of chief procurement officer," Moore said in his nomination letter for Clunk. "Ellen is a highly valued member of the Hexpol executive leadership team. She is a perfect candidate for Women Breaking the Mold."

With about seven to eight people working for her (who themselves have their own teams), Clunk said her day-to-day routine is rarely the same.

"It is a lot of directing, and it is all about team work," she said. "We bounce ideas off of each other about strategic sourcing. ... It is important to have that direct link."

She said that being a developmental chemist helped a "little bit" in her transition to CPO.

"I always say I know enough to be dangerous," Clunk said. "I can challenge the technical people maybe a little bit more than others on the team. I am always asking, 'Have we thought about this?' and 'This doesn't make sense, what else can we do?' "

Growing up, Clunk said she always was good at mathematics.

"I can't add or subtract ... but I can do calculus," she joked, adding her grandfather and father both were engineers, and her brother is a math teacher. "And both my kids are good at math."

As is the case for many, a memorable high school or college teacher can make all the difference for a student seeking direction.

"And I had a very good high school chemistry teacher who had been a chemical engineer and got tired of corporate America," Clunk said. "He taught me about real-world applications and I found that fascinating."

So much so, she said, that she pursued her degree in chemistry from the University of Dayton in Ohio.

It was a journey that would start in Southwest Ohio and lead, well, to Northeast Ohio.

Clunk has been with this continent's largest compound mixer for 14 years now, honing her leadership style.

"It has taken some time," she said. "I took over procurement in 2019, which was day one of the Preferred Compounding acquisition. We were integrating a new company with a new culture, and we were trying to make the best of both worlds. Our goal was to develop a stronger procurement team than we had previously."

Clunk was mentored by Moore for several years before taking the CPO post, which she said assisted her greatly.

Conversely, Clunk looks for similar virtues in others to be on her team today.

"I look for people with an open ear but who also have ideas," she said. "People who know what they want the outcome to be.

"And I am not concerned with how they get there. I want them to know that my way is not always the right way, that they have that freedom to do things their way."

As the journey for women in the rubber industry continues, Clunk said recruiting matters.

"How are you advertising to that younger generation? The reason I am here is because I feel like I made some really good relationships along the way, both internal here at Hexpol and externally with customers and others.

"I very much value the people here. It is such a small industry, these positive relationships can make your life and your job much easier."

Years with company: 14
Years in industry: 14

Although the rubber industry is well-established, there are daily challenges—something is discontinued, there may be a raw material shortage, or a customer needing a quick solution. We are asked to continually think of different solutions and adapt to the current situation. No two days are the same.

I encourage people to continually learn new things and ask questions. The more you ask, the more you are going to learn. In turn, it will give you an opportunity to share your perspective.

A leader needs to not only provide guidance and understand their people, but needs to be adaptable, flexible, and approachable. I have some people who want and need a hands-on approach and I have some who prefer to be left alone. I make myself available to help provide guidance, but understand that my way is not always the best way. I also like to have fun and develop a close connection with my team. It is always easier to work through hard issues when you have a strong personal connection with your teammates.

I fell into the rubber industry during a very tough job market. I left a job in the plastics industry to move to Northeast Ohio for my husband's job. I needed a job, and when the Hexpol Middlefield development chemist position was offered to me, I took it not knowing what I was getting into.

I had no idea how much I would love working in the rubber industry and the relationships I have developed is what keeps me here. I also never envisioned leaving the technical side of the company, but through various opportunities provided by Hexpol, I have moved into my current role and find this side of the business really enjoyable.

There will always be people who think they know best and are stuck in their ways. You can't let them take your voice. When you feel passionately about something and know it is the right thing to do, you need to stand firm and not back down. Persistence does pay off.

My mom always reminds me that it is always better to stick to the facts. It is easy to fall into the "woe is me" trap, but when you know your idea is worth fighting for, do your homework and press forward with facts and data and don't let emotions get in the way.

While not necessarily a failure, the years 2020-22 were incredibly difficult in the supply chain arena. It was especially challenging for me as I had recently been promoted to a new leadership position and did not have the answers or solutions everyone was demanding. I felt as if I was constantly failing; it was true baptism by fire.

Reflecting now, I know I would never be where I am now without having to go through that. I am so much stronger and confident after making it through those years.