After a Career Break, Ravikiran C. Returns to Operations Leadership at Cummins' Seymour Plant

Ravikiran C. is a Manufacturing Shop Operations Team Manager at Cummins' Seymour Engine Plant, where he leads teams supporting production and legacy engine operations. After joining through the RePower Program, he moved into a full-time role with responsibility for test and repair operations across the 30 liter, 19 liter and V903 engine lines. His path back began in 2023, when he stepped away from work to help his family settle into the United States.

Ravikiran learned about the RePower Program while searching for opportunities designed for experienced professionals returning to the workforce. He appreciated that the application process was straightforward and that the program focused on the skills candidates bring rather than viewing a career break as a disadvantage. He describes the program as a bridge that helps experienced professionals get back into the workforce with confidence.

He started as a Team Manager on the 30L assembly line and was gradually transitioned into the role over his first two months. That gave him time to learn how the line operates and build relationships. As the program progressed, he took on production reviews, key metrics, and day-to-day decisions, and eventually was entrusted with leading the Legacy Test Cells and Repair Team supporting the 30L, 19L and V903 platforms. The transition to a full-time role was a natural progression because the program let him demonstrate his capabilities in a real work environment.

In his full-time role, Ravikiran says he has taken forward the importance of teamwork, data-driven decision making, continuous improvement, and a strong focus on safety, quality and delivery. He also built strong connections with engineers, technicians, manufacturing leaders and cross-functional teams. He emphasizes that the program showed that career breaks do not diminish the value of experience and that talented professionals can return and make meaningful contributions.