Celebrating the journey of a working Mom: Morgan Suttles’s inspiring career transformation at BASF ECMS

As Mother’s Day approaches in the United States, ECMS recognizes the incredible journeys of working moms who courageously pursue their dreams while balancing family responsibilities. One such inspiring woman is Morgan Suttles, Technical Lead Operator at the Seneca site.

Transitioning from the familiar world of medical billing and insurance to a fulfilling role at BASF ECMS Seneca, Morgan embarked on a journey of self-discovery and professional advancement. Despite the challenges of balancing work and family life as a young mother, Morgan’s determination led her to embrace new opportunities.

Before joining BASF, Suttles navigated administrative roles in medical billing and insurance. However, her relocation from Greenville to Seneca, SC, in 2022 prompted her to seek new opportunities. It was during this transition that Morgan discovered BASF’s apprenticeship program, which sparked her interest in the manufacturing industry—a field she had not previously explored. As a mother of two, Suttles found the 12-month program appealing, focusing on hands-on learning for individuals without manufacturing experience.

As a non-traditional manufacturing hire, Suttles recalls feeling warmly welcomed by the BASF ECMS community upon her arrival. “It was nice to feel seen and appreciated by people in the company when I was an outsider coming in,” she reflects. “From the program leaders, I felt a sense of ‘I see you. I’m glad you’re here. We want to pour into you.’ That made me want to be part of things.”

The apprenticeship, a process technology certificate program, not only provided classroom instruction at Tri-County Technical College but also offered hands-on learning opportunities that fostered a sense of belonging and support. Suttles embraced various challenges, viewing each as an opportunity for growth. “I learned about different pieces of process equipment and how to identify and understand them, how to troubleshoot equipment and instrumentation, how to read and understand process diagrams, learned OSHA10, and earned a Six Sigma white belt certification,” she explained.

Balancing her career aspirations with family commitments, Suttles found support in the apprenticeship program’s flexible schedule. “Having school built into your work schedule was great because I didn’t have to sacrifice one for the other – and I didn’t have to sacrifice time at home,” she said. Embracing the rhythm of 12-hour shifts, she relished her days off with her children, enjoying moments watching movies and playing putt-putt and arcade games. Currently, Morgan and her family eagerly await the arrival of her third baby.

Morgan’s dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed. As she neared the completion of the apprenticeship program, she earned a well-deserved promotion, marking a significant milestone in her career journey. Despite initial hesitations, Morgan embraced the opportunity, driven by her ambition for continuous improvement and personal development.

As for the future, Morgan envisions advancing into training or leadership, fueled by her passion for making meaningful contributions to BASF ECMS’s success. Her journey serves as an inspiration to working moms everywhere, proving that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible. For those considering a move into manufacturing, Suttles can’t recommend the apprenticeship program enough: “The academic program is one year, and you get to work and gain experience, which is rare, not to mention benefits and great pay. It’s a no-brainer.”

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let us honor the resilience and strength of working moms like Morgan Suttles, whose unwavering commitment to both their families and careers inspires us all.