July 17, 2024
Deena Zaitounh works as a Senior Buyer on the purchasing team at Cooper Standard. She has worked for Cooper Standard for about two years as a young professional in her career.
Learn more about her journey by reading her Q&A interview below:
In my current position, my job is to support programs by acting as the liaison between the commodity team and the rest of Cooper Standard. I am responsible for overseeing the management of the sealing bill of materials and financials for all purchased components. During my senior year of college, I interned at Masco Cabinetry, and, after I graduated, I was hired full-time as a Supply Chain Business Analyst.
I graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Supply Chain Management.
I ended up at Cooper Standard because I was seeking professional growth. I am always eager to learn and gain as much experience as possible. Cooper Standard was the right choice that has enabled me to build my skills.
I had a chance to be part of the mentorship program hosted by our WISE (Women Inspire Enrich Support) Group. The mentorship program is an annual program open to any interested employees who are offered a mentor to help network and learn from senior leaders at Cooper Standard.
Even more recently, I joined the Emerging Leaders Program on behalf of the purchasing department. The Emerging Leaders Program is a program Cooper Standard offers with training and development for employees aspiring to become leaders in their area of work.
If I could only use one word, I would describe the culture as strong. We go above and beyond to use resources and overcome challenges every day. For me, working with different groups of people every day makes the job interesting. My work involves collaborating with program managers, engineers, manufacturing plants, suppliers, and account managers who are all working towards the same objectives.
Cooper Standard presents young professionals with a great opportunity to thrive in a dynamic setting. This means that the environment is constantly changing, evolving, and adapting to new obstacles or opportunities. I mentioned earlier, a day is never the same – you are always handling different processes and procedures. For some, this can make a job exciting and stimulating. If you prefer this type of work setting, then Cooper Standard is a great place for you.
My advice would be for young professionals to position themselves in environments that offer a chance for new opportunities and people who can offer reliable guidance. You should always look for places that foster personal and professional development.
“Don’t worry too much.”
If I could go back, I would tell myself to trust in the payoff for putting in the effort and listening to experts. I consider myself to be lucky for having mentors from the beginning of my career journey, which has really helped me along the way.
What do you like to do outside of work?
You can find me spending time with friends and family or competing in horseback riding. My work schedule is a mix or office and remote days, which is the perfect balance for me.
I was born and raised around Ann Arbor. I decided to remain in the area because of my friends and family. What’s not to love about Michigan? Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn!
