Kris Baucher, DRI Rubber | Women Breaking the Mold 2023

From "answering phones and pushing paper" right out of college to serving as the lead sales executive for DRI Rubber's USA division, Kris Baucher has spent all 15 years of her post-college career in the rubber manufacturing industry at DRI.

The Coldwater, Ohio, native didn't expect to spend this long within the sector, but has become an invaluable team member and resource for the company.

It may have started as a job that she secured during the start of the Great Recession, but over the years Baucher has proven her mettle as providing the best possible customer service for DRI Rubber. She now oversees the sales and logistics team and is responsible for many lead procurement tasks for the company, a leading reprocessor and upcycler of rubber waste streams and rubber compounds in the global tire and rubber industry.

This success came despite her background as a graphic designer with no prior knowledge of the rubber industry or processes.

"I'm not a chemist and never have been," Baucher says. "But I'm eager to try to learn new things."

Once she received initial promotions and decided to build a career at DRI Rubber, Baucher wanted to understand how the industry worked so she could become more informed about the industry and her company. As that knowledge has grown about fiber reinforced rubber compounds to other components, so has the level and importance of her responsibilities.

Baucher treats each decision she makes as commercial manager as if she were making it from her own household budget.

"You have to be a quick learner in this industry and use common sense, because my role incorporates so many different (tasks)," she said. "Learning what we do, why we do it, and what the benefits to our customers has been a steep learning curve."

Yet Baucher didn't just have to learn the intricacies of the rubber manufacturing industry. She also learned how to make deals and negotiate pricing that would benefit the company. Building strong relationships with other professionals helped with those negotiating skills. And despite the fact that the number of women holding executive positions in the rubber industry is limited, Baucher rarely thinks about the impact that her gender has on any business-related matters.

"I appreciate the opportunity to be treated like a peer," she said, adding that she stands upon her reputation of hard work, integrity and treating all colleagues and customers fairly. She said the rubber industry has come a long way toward having more women in the industry, something that is changing at DRI where a majority of the employees in her department are female. "Traditionally it has been a physically demanding job working with rubber and tires, but the job is now less about strength."

Simply put, Baucher gets things done.

If she needs to research information online, or ask questions of colleagues, she is not afraid to do so. Afterall, she said, that's how you develop relationships.

"One of the ways you can be resourceful is to use the people around you who are more knowledgeable than you to better understand a topic."

As the commercial manager for DRI Rubber's U.S. operations, Baucher and her husband raise their family in small-town Ohio and enjoy the life they have created. She treasures her short and stress-free commute to work that makes it easier for Baucher to stay involved in every department and virtually every strategic project within the company. Her knowledge, organizational and interpersonal skills are on display when supporting the sales, transport, marketing and operational teams.

Working at DRI Rubber has allowed Baucher to steadily gain the knowledge needed to become a subject matter expert. Despite having more than 100 employees globally, Baucher refers to it as a family-owned business. She also appreciates that the company's services help to support environmental sustainability by making recycled rubber components a viable product and option.

"I'm happy to love my job and the company and feel like I am making a positive difference," she said.

Years with company: 15
Years in rubber: 15

The rubber industry is interesting, in that there are ever-changing uses and applications for rubber. One of the most rewarding aspects of what we do for the rubber industry is reprocessing and finding a "home" for rubber waste streams. It feels good to be part of a circular economy, helping to do our part in improving the global environment.

Maintaining a work/life balance—this is a daily goal, by the way. I try to maintain flexibility in my role as businesswomen and wife/mother. This may not always be achieved 100 percent, but for me the important part is making sure the wins outshine the losses.

Not believing in myself or doubting myself. It's easy to convince yourself that you aren't smart enough, good enough or experienced enough. I am still learning this lesson, but so far, it's taught me to accept where I am in the process, but never be content and to ask more questions, be curious and always be open to learning.

My family, my friends, my co-workers. Seeing/helping someone push themselves out of their comfort zone, personally or professionally, and watching them overcome their fears/insecurities; seeing an individual grow in confidence and thrive.

I have been blessed with knowing many strong women in my life, both personally and professionally. They have helped mold me into who I am today, and I couldn't be more appreciative for their gifts. They have come into and out of my life at different times, teaching me to stand up for myself and what I believe in, building my confidence, and most importantly, how to pick myself up when I've been knocked down (and how to acknowledge the failure or rejection, learn from it, and come back stronger because of it). I wouldn't be in my current position without their insight and support.

I have received a multitude of great advice over the years. I will name a few that stick with me, and I find myself repeating often: "don't underestimate yourself, you were hired for a reason so let your presence be felt and your voice be heard," "control the controll-ables," "remember to give yourself grace, we're all human"

Meet the people who work for the company – everyone! Find out what they like or don't like about their job, reiterate that their job is important, and they are valued. I want to make immediate, positive impact and continue to nurture that with the help of the team.

Be prepared to get dirty and you'll get used to the smell, eventually!

I think it is important that we raise our daughters (and sons) to know that there are no boundaries when it comes to careers in any field. Our schools can help to reinforce that, but we must also encourage young women to pursue careers which may be "out of the norm." There are many opportunities where women can make an impact and their influence is critical. Women can bring a different perspective to many situations, and it is important that we, as women, continue to promote and nurture the value of having women at the table.