Meet the Maker Kim Watson

At Milliken, the dedication and expertise of our associates form the foundation of our success. We’re spotlighting the resilient individuals behind our products, who carry forward a proud history of excellence and commitment in manufacturing. Today, we’re highlighting Kim Watson, an exceptional Production Supervisor at our Live Oak Plant in LaGrange, Georgia.

A Tradition of Excellence

Kim’s Milliken story is deeply rooted in family tradition. “Well, believe it or not, my dad was here at Milliken. He worked with the company for 35 years before he passed,” Kim shares. Her husband's journey with Milliken started similarly, thanks to a nudge from Kim's father. “When my husband and I started dating, my dad told him, ‘If you’re going to date my daughter, you need a real job.’ So, my daddy got Billy, my husband, a job. Now my husband has been here for 30 years.”

Following in their footsteps, Kim joined Milliken 15 years ago. “Now our son has graduated, and my son is here too. It’s like a family tradition,” she says with pride.

From Daycare to Dream Career

Before joining Milliken, Kim ran a daycare in Alabama. Seeking stability and inspired by her family’s positive experiences, she transitioned to Milliken. “I wanted stability. Daddy worked here, Billy was here, and I always had a good living,” she explains.

Kim’s journey at Milliken began through a temporary staffing agency. “I started out with a temporary staffing agency, in our sample department. I worked for three years before getting hired on. Once hired, I moved towards quality and stayed there for about 3-4 years before transferring to supply chain management.”

Kim’s expertise in managing warehouse goods and learning our software systems earned her recognition and promotion. “I managed all our warehouse finished goods—six warehouses in total—and became proficient in our computers systems and software, assisting manufacturing and training new associates.”

Rising Through the Ranks

Kim’s hard work and dedication didn’t go unnoticed. In 2020, she was named a production hero and promoted to Production Supervisor in the Made To Order department. “I was asked if I would be interested in moving back out on the manufacturing side as a production supervisor. I thought, ‘That’s my opportunity,’ so I took it,” she recalls.

When reflecting on her journey, Kim says, “I just have good people skills and knew both the manufacturing and supply chain sides. It was an opportunity to advance from within.”

The Power of Recognition

Kim emphasizes the importance of recognition and opportunity at Milliken. “It felt very good. I cried,” she admits when talking about being recognized by leadership. “Milliken allows you an opportunity to advance from within. You don’t need a fancy degree—loyalty, knowledge, and helping the company grow are what they value.”

Building Strong Work Relationships

Kim’s husband, Billy, and her manager, Barry Nichols, have been instrumental in her development. “I’ve learned my roles by watching my husband and how he treats his people. Barry, our manager, made me feel like I had potential. He had everything listed out, from my contract to what he wanted to see in me. He said, ‘I don’t want you to miss your opportunity,’” she shares.

"It's exciting cause I have a lot of people here that are my family now. You know you're at work more than you are really at home, but that's my advantage because my family is here too."

Emphasizing Teamwork and Communication

For Kim, communication is the key to her team’s success. “We communicate. You stay in tune with each other. Every day, I make my rounds to speak to my people and ensure they’re okay. Once a week, we gather for department meetings to express any comments or concerns,” she explains.

Kim’s favorite part of her day involves connecting with her team. “My morning is a rush because I try to catch all my nighttime people. By the time I make my rounds, my first-shift people are coming in. Finally, I can sit down, open my email, and see what’s going on. Then, I can go and really talk to my people.”

A Sense of Family and Tradition

Kim’s connection to Milliken is deeply personal. “Some people in life dread work , but I enjoy what I do. I get along with everybody, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to move up and work with my family,” she says. Her son, following the family tradition, recently joined Milliken in the process improvement department. “For some reason, once you come inside Milliken, it just sucks you in, and you’re here to retire,” she laughs.

“And I couldn't say one negative thing or, you know, bad thing. Milliken's raised me my whole life.”

Join Us in Recognizing These Remarkable Individuals

Kim Watson’s dedication to her work and her colleagues makes her a remarkable part of our team. We’re spotlighting Kim and all our associates who make Milliken an exceptional place to work. Their dedication and expertise are the foundation of our continued success.

As we continue to innovate and solve problems, driven by curiosity and collaboration, we invite you to join us in recognizing the incredible people behind our products. At Milliken, our associates are our greatest asset, and their stories inspire us to keep pursuing a better tomorrow.

To read more associate stories, visit here.

Want to join #TeamMilliken? Visit our careers webpage to learn more about your next opportunity.