Leading with purpose at work and in the community
Meet Melissa Arteaga, a Leading Hand at Bradken’s manufacturing plant in Lima, Peru, where she helps guide the production of the rubber composite wear solutions that keep our mining customers’ operations moving. From an early age, Melissa has been naturally curious about how things work - a fascination that began long before her engineering studies. It started in her father’s shoe workshop, where she loved watching sketches turn into real products and seeing how teamwork, creativity and precision could bring an idea to life.
That early spark stayed with her and eventually led her into industrial engineering and manufacturing - fueling the passion she brings to her role today. Despite being a relative newcomer to Bradken, Melissa has embraced every challenge with enthusiasm, quickly becoming a supportive and steady presence on the shop floor.
She is motivated by the opportunity to grow, contribute ideas, and be part of a workplace that values collaboration and respects every voice. She’s already contributing fresh perspectives to strengthen safety, efficiency and teamwork. Read on to hear more from Melissa.
Quick facts about Melissa:
- Current Role: Operations Leading Hand
- Joined Bradken: 2025
- Bradken location: Lima, Peru
- Educational background: Industrial Engineering
- Hometown: Pachacútec (located in the Ventanilla District of Peru’s Callao Province)
- Hobbies: Soccer and volleyball
- Fun Fact: Spends weekends serving as a volunteer firefighter
- Three words to describe Bradken: Inspiring, challenging and collaborative
What does your role at Bradken involve and what do you like most about it? In my role as a Leading Hand, I supervise and coordinate the production of Vulcabrix ceramic coatings, Rubatile rubber and aluminium coatings, and Bullnose compounds. I’m responsible for overseeing operational staff, ensuring we meet our quality and safety standards and making sure production runs efficiently and to schedule. My work involves keeping processes on track, supporting my team, and helping maintain safe, organized and effective operations on the shop floor.
My responsibilities have grown since joining Bradken. With the support of the training and development opportunities provided to me, I was able to take on the supervision of a larger team - an experience that continues to strengthen my skills in coordination, planning and process control, and helps me contribute more confidently to achieving our quality, safety and productivity targets.
What I enjoy most about my job is that coordinating different teams gives me a comprehensive view of the production process. I appreciate the challenges that come with working in the mining industry because they push me to stay adaptable and keep learning. I also feel lucky to work with a group of colleagues who combine great technical abilities with real kindness and empathy. Their commitment and teamwork make it easy to collaborate, support one another and accomplish our goals together.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the industrial sector, and how did your journey into the field begin? My interest in the industrial sector began at home. While I was in high school, my father ran a shoe workshop, and I loved watching how a simple sketch could, through technique, effort and teamwork, become a finished product. Seeing leather, rubber and other materials transformed into ready‑to‑wear shoes sparked a fascination in me for how things are made and how every step in a process contributes to the final result.
Teenage me became curious about machines and the way people coordinated their work to get the best outcomes at each stage of production – it’s where my passion for organization and process improvement came from. I knew then that I wanted to build a career in manufacturing, not necessarily making shoes, but working in a similar environment to my father’s workshop where people work together to transform ideas into something real.
I went on to study Industrial Engineering at the National University of Callao, where I developed a strong foundation in production management, methods engineering, operations planning and quantitative analysis.
While studying, I gained some practical experience working as a Production Supervisor at a metalworking company. I later worked at COMEDSA, where I focused on metalworking production planning and continuous improvement, and then before joining Bradken, I worked at LIMA GAS as a Plant Supervisor, managing LPG supply, monitoring productivity indicators and leading operational efficiency initiatives.
What are your interests and hobbies outside of work? Outside of work, I like to spend time with my friends and colleagues. I’m a bit sporty, and I like team activities so on Friday afternoons, I usually get together with my coworkers after work to play soccer, volleyball or just have fun and unwind. I also spend a lot of my free time volunteering with Fire Company B207.
I feel lucky to work with a group of colleagues who combine great technical abilities with real kindness and empathy. Their commitment and teamwork make it easy to collaborate, support one another and accomplish our goals together.
- Melissa
Community spirit and service
Alongside her role at Bradken, Melissa dedicates her time to serving the local Fire Company B‑207 as a volunteer firefighter (with the General Corps of Volunteer Firefighters of Peru) and helping to develop and deliver a ‘mini‑firefighter’ program for school-aged children in the community. Through this service she has had valuable learning and teaching opportunities that have transferred to her work at Bradken.
“Being a volunteer firefighter has taught me discipline, responsibility and the importance of preventative safety… these experiences directly influence my work, helping me think ahead of problems and act proactively.”
Melissa’s commitment to service reflects the same values celebrated in Bradken’s Building Better Communities program, an employee-driven initiative which invests in community activities and organisations aligned with the focus areas of health, education and the environment. By supporting employees like Melissa to continue contributing meaningfully to their communities, Bradken reinforces a culture where personal purpose, professional development and positive social impact go hand in hand.
What do you think makes Bradken a great place to work? I think Bradken is a great place to work because of the respectful and collaborative working environment. Since my very first day I’ve felt valued, respected and listened to, which has given me the confidence to contribute my ideas and grow within the team.
I was concerned early on about leading a team made up almost entirely of men. Building relationships and trust was important, and thankfully I didn’t have to do that alone. I’ve felt included and supported from the start, especially by my Team Leader and Site Manager, who’s supportive and open friendly approach to leadership has been a great example when it comes to creating good team dynamics.
Bradken team members are encouraged to speak up and our ideas are truly valued. I've been able to propose several improvements to our processes, and I'm proud that some of them have been adopted and implemented.
For example, in the Press area, a table was specially designed to move large and heavy parts from the shot blasting room to the paint room. Also, in the Metalworking area I participated in the organization of molds and work-in-process parts that were installed on the new Site 4 expansion. I’ve also listened and learned from different perspectives shared by others. That combination of being heard, being encouraged to grow and being supported through challenges makes me feel welcome and accepted.
Is there an experience that stands out where your work was acknowledged in a meaningful way? A moment that really stands out for me was during a recent visit from our Chief Executive Officer, Sean Winstone. At the time, our team had just finished the expansion of an area on the plant floor. When he arrived, he immediately compared what he saw to his previous visit and congratulated everyone, highlighting the significant improvements across all areas.
His recognition of our work, and seeing the positive change through his eyes, was incredibly motivating. It made me feel proud of what we had achieved together and encouraged me to keep giving my best with enthusiasm and commitment.
What’s your advice for others thinking about joining Bradken? My advice would be to always have an open mind, a desire to learn and contribute, to be proactive, adaptable and to be a good team player. At the start of my career, my father’s advice to me was to always maintain a positive attitude in any situation, and I’ll pass that wisdom on - keeping a positive attitude in the face of any challenge that comes your way lets you grow.
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