Paving the Way
Amber Van Dyk, field service manager at Maybury Material Handling, uses her unique career experience to champion other women in the material handling world.
By Nicole Needles
IN THE REALM of material handling, women like Amber Van Dyk are making their mark and inspiring others to follow. Van Dyk has not only navigated her way into this industry but has also embraced challenges head-on to carve a successful path.
Van Dyk’s journey into material handling is far from conventional.
“In high school, I aspired to work in the healthcare field,” she recalls. Her early career saw her managing group homes for adults with intellectual disabilities. However, the pandemic prompted a career pivot. “I decided to look for something new and completely different from health care,” she explains. In 2022, she joined Maybury Material Handling as a service coordinator, a role that quickly evolved.
“I started as a service coordinator, later moving into the senior service coordinator role and most recently stepping into the field service manager role,” she says. Today, Van Dyk is passionate about the industry she initially stumbled into, expressing her desire to make it her lifelong career.
As more women enter material handling, Van Dyk highlights the unique perspectives they bring. “I believe women bring a ‘whole picture’ perspective to the industry,” she notes. Drawing parallels to her role as a mother, she emphasizes the value of being detail-oriented and prepared for the unexpected. “This helps me at work to never overlook the minor details and make sure I look at the whole picture.”
Van Dyk believes this fresh outlook is vital for an industry that thrives on precision and innovation.
Stepping into the field service manager role came with its share of hurdles.
“Moving into this new role with no technical background has been a major challenge,” Van Dyk admits. She quickly realized the importance of gaining respect and trust from her team. “Each quarter, I make sure to go out into the field, working side by side with technicians to learn the ins and outs of the products and service we provide,” she explains. Her hands-on approach has not only deepened her understanding of the industry but also strengthened her relationships with her team.
For Van Dyk, the greatest reward of her career is the opportunity to pave the way for other women.
“Having a woman in service is rare, so I aspire to make a big enough difference that I encourage other women to join the service side of the industry,” she shares. Van Dyk’s success is a testament to the impact women can have in traditionally male-dominated fields. Her advice to women in material handling is simple yet powerful: “Be a go-getter. Don’t wait for the next opportunity to come to you; go out and create it for yourself.”
Her own career is a shining example of this mindset. She also draws strength from one of her favorite leadership quotes: “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough” by Og Mandino. “I always remind myself of this when I’m faced with a challenge, and it pushes me to work harder to solve the problem,” she says.
Van Dyk takes immense pride in her role at Maybury.
“What I like most is knowing that what we do matters,” she says. Whether it’s walking into a grocery store or receiving a package at her doorstep, she’s reminded of the tangible impact her team’s work has on businesses and individuals alike.
Attending the MHEDA Women in Industry Conference in 2024 was a highlight for Van Dyk. “I met so many influential women in the industry and learned I’m not alone with a lot of the challenges I face,” she reflects. She encourages others to attend the conference if given the chance, describing it as an invaluable opportunity for growth and networking.
Van Dyk’s story is one of resilience, determination and inspiration. As she continues to break barriers and lead with purpose, she serves as a beacon and a trailblazer for women aspiring to thrive in the material handling industry.
