Reni Wulandari is a special figure in the SIG Group environment. The figure who was born in Tulungagung, April 26, 1974, is one of the few women who holds the position of director of a BUMN. There was a long struggle that she went through before being trusted to become the Director of Operations of SIG. Competence capital alone is not enough, because Reni had to face a number of other challenges that actually made her even stronger.
Reni, the nickname of the alumnus of Chemical Engineering, Diponegoro University and Master of Business Administration, Swiss German University, has worked in the cement industry for 25 years. Uniquely, as a woman, most of her career journey was spent in the operational area. An area with a very strong masculine nuance. “I am grateful to be given the mandate in the operational area which is indeed my passion. Here I have gained sufficient exposure so that God willing I can provide added value to SIG,” said Reni when met in her office, SIG office, South Quarter, Tower A, Jakarta, Wednesday (6/3/2024).
Starting as GM of Tuban Factory of PT Solusi Bangun Indonesia (SBI) Tbk, which is one of SIG’s subsidiaries, Reni then moved up to become SVP of Operation of SIG. Two years later, she was appointed as production director of another SIG subsidiary, PT Semen Gresik. The peak was, at the SIG Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) in Jakarta, April 18, 2023, Reni was given the mandate as director of operations. According to her, apart from the gender aspect, this trust is real proof that the company provides equal opportunities for internal talents. “I hope this can be an additional motivation for in-house talents, regardless of gender or field. Don’t waste this opportunity,” recalled the first woman to become SIG’s production director.
Reni did not deny that during her 25 years of career starting from a fresh graduate in a male-dominated operational area, she had experienced gender bias. However, she did not face the challenge emotionally. For her, bias is still bias, the root of the problem must be found. “Reactive responses do not help me achieve equality. The cement factory is heavy intensive machinery, with extreme environmental conditions and high focus. The bias that arises often comes from the worry, is a woman capable of handling the situation?” she said.
Reni assessed that SIG and other BUMNs currently provide equal opportunities for women and men to develop. This is a response to the business need that gender equality is one way to boost performance, because from there a spirit of complementarity will arise. Therefore, for women, Reni has a suggestion, “In a merit-based work world, it is better to focus more on competence, qualifications, performance or professionalism.”
Source :
https://www.sig.id/direktur-operasi-sig-reni-wulandari-jawab-bias-gender-dengan-profesionalisme
https://www.sig.id/jajaran-direksi