Janette Hostettler is a trailblazing leader in the automotive sector whose career provides powerful lessons for women in manufacturing and production. From her early roles in quality and plant operations to becoming Vice President of Manufacturing at Toyota Kentucky and a key leader at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM), Hostettler’s journey is a testament to persistence, flexibility, and leadership.
Her Story at a Glance
- Early Career & Foundation
Hostettler began with Toyota in 2000 as a Quality Engineering Specialist in Indiana. She gained experience across different areas of plant operations: paint, plastics, plant engineering, quality control, pilot production. These roles exposed her to many facets of the manufacturing process. - Stepping into Larger Roles
Over time, she moved into general management, leading final assembly for major models like the Sienna, Highlander, and Sequoia. She later served as Senior VP of Manufacturing for Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Alabama, overseeing the start of production, quality processes, hiring, and training for thousands of team members. - Toyota Kentucky & Leadership Recognition
In 2023, she became Vice President of Manufacturing for Toyota Kentucky, overseeing operations at one of Toyota’s largest facilities. She has been honored for her leadership, inducted into the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame, recognized by The Manufacturing Institute, and celebrated for her work in mentoring and community involvement.
Lessons for Women in Manufacturing & Production
Janette Hostettler’s path offers many insights. Here are key lessons that women in manufacturing and production can take away:
- Embrace Broad Exposure Early
By working in various functions (quality, plastics, paint, engineering), Janette built a strong foundation of how each part of production works. This broad understanding strengthens your ability to manage, lead, and make informed decisions later. - Step Up in Learning, Not Just Position
She didn’t wait for title promotions to learn; she took on challenges in unfamiliar areas (e.g. stepping into different shops, taking responsibility for hiring, training, quality in large-scale operations). Always seeking new skills and responsibilities is a differentiator. - Lead with People-Centered Values
One of Janette’s hallmarks is care: she emphasizes training, welcoming new team members, ensuring they understand processes from the ground up, and taking care of the workforce. She has been known to support workforce development, community STEM programs, and nurture a culture that values people. - Drive Change Through Visibility & Initiative
Janette was behind major plant launches (Mazda CX-50, Corolla Cross) and large hiring initiatives. She made herself visible, took ownership of projects with high complexity and impact. Women in production can benefit by volunteering for visible tasks, being proactive in solving issues, and demonstrating impact. - Resilience & Commitment Over Time
Her career spans decades: she’s taken roles that require rigorous operations, quality, scale, and evolving technologies. Staying committed, persistent, and flexible as manufacturing changes (new models, new plants, new roles) has marked her growth.
Why Janette Hostettler’s Story Matters
- She shows that even in highly technical, high-volume manufacturing environments, women can and do lead.
- Her story emphasizes learning by doing, continual growth, and leading with both technical competence and interpersonal strength.
- For women just starting out, Janette’s journey reminds us that titles come after impact and exposure — and that every role (quality, paint, plastics, training) matters.
WOMEN IN MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION 
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