Every Thursday for the next few months, we will feature a new female leader from around the globe, highlighting their career achievements, biggest influences, and the advice they would give to other young women considering a career in the automotive industry.
Meet This Week’s Leader: Margaret Taylor, Parts Manager and Continuous Improvement Coordinator, Premier Truck of Oshawa
“Have patience, be willing to embrace change and always have a sense of humor. Even the toughest of chaotic days can be relieved with a little sense of humor.”
First Automotive Job: Service Department Clerk
PAG Tenure: 15 years
What attracted you to the automotive industry? The Heavy Truck Industry found me! I was in college, many years ago and indecisive about what career path I was going to take. I secured a job at my local Freightliner dealership when I noticed they were building a larger facility. I applied for a position and the rest is history. When I tell this story, I often say that dealership life breeds in your blood and it becomes a part of who you are and what you want to accomplish in life. I consider myself extremely fortunate that my career found me and has allowed me to flourish and grow for many years.
Most satisfying part of your job: The fulfillment I get from seeing people around me succeed and problem solve. I also get great joy from being a part of a terrific team who are like family to me.
Proudest professional achievement: My proudest professional achievement is graduating from the NADA/ATD Academy in 2018. It was an honor to be chosen by Penske Truck Group to attend the academy.
Who was the biggest influence in your career? The people I have chosen to surround myself with. Whether it be senior managers or entry level personnel, I have taken every opportunity to gain experience from them all.
Looking back on the last decade, how have you seen the automotive industry landscape change and evolve to engage more women? Looking back over a decade, I have seen the industry mature and expand to include women at all levels within the industry. I remember the days of being the only female that attended association meetings. It’s great to see how the playing field has become more sophisticated and diverse.
What hobbies do you enjoy? I enjoy kayaking, many different forms of camping and being outdoors exploring nature and relaxing by a toasty warm campfire.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years? In the next five years, I see myself still leading an amazing team of young professionals and mentoring them to achieve career greatness within the PTG organization. I have a profound wish that, when I retire from PTG, I will have inspired other women entering the industry or currently employed within the industry to stand tall, evolve and eliminate any misconceptions about the heavy truck industry being a male only entity.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in the automotive industry? Take advantage of every learning opportunity that the organization and manufacturers have available. The more you learn, the more capabilities you have when relating to your customers and make educated decisions that will empower you to continue in furthering your journey.
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received? To have patience, be willing to embrace change and always have a sense of humor. Even the toughest of the chaotic days can be relieved with a little sense of humor.
Any other comments you would like to add? I have spent a great deal of time with local school boards and school board guidance counselors, discussing the importance of careers at truck and automotive dealerships. I’ve also coordinated group tours of our facility for teachers to understand the career opportunities that are available to their high school students after graduation. Our facility supports a yearly initiative ‘Take Your Student to Work Day’ and I run a day program that invites high school students into our facility to learn about apprenticeships, sales and administration positions that are wonderful career opportunities.
