Leena Nair’s story is one of firsts, grit, and growth—and a powerful example for women in manufacturing and production. Today, she serves as Global CEO of Chanel, but her journey began in the trenches: at factories, working night shifts, managing people, and pushing for change when others didn’t even see a problem. Her path shows that leadership is built as much in production lines and shop floors as it is in boardrooms.
Early Steps on the Factory Floor
- After earning her engineering degree and an MBA (XLRI, India), Leena joined Hindustan Unilever (HUL) in 1992 as a management trainee.
- She was the first woman at HUL to work on the factory floor, and also the first woman to take on night shifts—roles typically held by men.
- One frequent anecdote: the factories didn’t have washrooms for women. She advocated for female restrooms, which later jokingly became known as “Leena’s Loos.”
Through these early experiences, she learned resilience, the importance of understanding production/process details, and the value of speaking up for what seems obvious but is overlooked.
Growing in Leadership
- Leena took on roles of increasing responsibility: from personnel/factory roles to employee relations manager to HR leadership roles.
- She led factories in different locations (Kolkata, Ambattur, Taloja) gaining diverse exposure to production environments and the challenges of scale.
- As General Manager of Home and Personal Care and Foods, and later as HR leadership for South Asia, she introduced capability-building models, performance culture, and programs to help women rejoin work after breaks.
- In 2016, she became Unilever’s CHRO — the first woman, first Asian, and the youngest person to hold that position at Unilever at the time. Her leadership had direct impact: improving productivity, improving gender balance, and building inclusive culture.
Lessons for Women in Manufacturing & Production
Here are lessons from Leena Nair’s career that can guide women in this industry:
1. Embrace Grassroots Roles
Sometimes it’s the less glamorous roles—night shifts, factory floor work, personnel management—that give you insights nobody else has. These roles teach you how things actually function, which becomes your strength when making decisions later.
2. Speak Up for Practical Needs
Leena noticed there were no flush toilets for women in factories. She used her voice to fix something basic—and symbolic. That taught many that improving work conditions, no matter how small, matters. If you see something missing, don’t assume someone else will address it—take the initiative.
3. Don’t Wait for Perfect Conditions to Lead
You’ll often find that norms and rules aren’t designed for everyone. Leena didn’t wait for her path to be cleared; she walked it anyway. She took management trainings, volunteered for roles most avoided, and used each as a stepping stone.
4. Continuous Learning + Adaptability
Her engineering training, her MBA, work in many factory locations, HR leadership—each step added to her toolkit. When new kinds of leadership challenges came, she adapted. For women in production or manufacturing, keep building your skills and be open to change.
Final Thoughts
Leena Nair’s path reminds us that being on the factory floor isn’t a limitation—it can be a launchpad. Because it gives you credibility, insights, and resilience. Her story shows that:
- You don’t need to start at the top to become a leader.
- Real leadership understands process, people, and performance.
- Change often begins with someone insisting that something small be better.
✨ Empowered women, elevated industry.
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WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION 
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