The ideas are new. The aluminium is recycled.

鈥淲e were so passionate about it. We knew we had to make this happen. It was the right thing to do.鈥�

Jennifer, Operations Programme Manager Cupertino, US

Illustrated portrait of Jennifer smiling, looking at the reader; illustrated green leaves enter the frame. Illustrated portrait of Jennifer smiling, looking at the reader; illustrated green leaves enter the frame. Illustrated portrait of Jennifer smiling, looking at the reader; illustrated green leaves enter the frame. The same portrait is joined by an illustrated MacBook Air enclosure with green leaves flowing from its screen. The same portrait is joined by an illustrated MacBook Air enclosure with green leaves flowing from its screen. The same portrait is joined by an illustrated MacBook Air enclosure with green leaves flowing from its screen. The same portrait is joined by an illustrated MacBook Air enclosure with green leaves flowing from its screen. The same portrait is joined by an illustrated MacBook Air enclosure with green leaves flowing from its screen. The same portrait is joined by an illustrated MacBook Air enclosure with green leaves flowing from its screen. The same portrait is joined by an illustrated MacBook Air enclosure with green leaves flowing from its screen. The same portrait is joined by an illustrated MacBook Air enclosure with green leaves flowing from its screen.

So your team turns visions into reality?

Answer:Yep, that鈥檚 us in Operations. We work with designers and engineers on new hardware ideas, then figure out how to actually build a product.

More than one, probably.

Answer:Right. It鈥檚 like 鈥淥K, we鈥檝e built one 鈥� now let鈥檚 make millions.鈥�

鈥淎n innovative product demands an innovative process.鈥�

What makes it innovative?

Answer:So much. For instance, I was part of the team that developed the first 100聽per cent recycled aluminium MacBook Air enclosure.

Recycled 鈥� not only recyclable?

Answer:Right. Recycled, so no new aluminium is mined from the earth.

It鈥檚 more specialised than recycling drinks cans.

Answer:Oh, yeah 鈥� very different. This is a high-grade, patented alloy that had to meet our standards for purity and performance. We had to rethink a whole new supply chain and sourcing process, then make sure it was just as strong, functional and beautiful as people expect from Apple. It was a very ambitious initiative.

Does 鈥渁mbitious鈥� translate as 鈥渢his won鈥檛 be easy鈥�?

Answer:Sure 鈥� but that鈥檚 why we鈥檙e here, right? Solving a tough problem gives you an amazing rush. And when we鈥檙e compressed between demands, like environmental goals as well as functional and aesthetic standards, that鈥檚 where the most incredible innovation happens.

鈥淵ou鈥檙e just more driven when there鈥檚 more purpose to your work.鈥�

You mean there鈥檚 extra motivation when it鈥檚 more than a technical achievement?

Answer:Well, here it鈥檚 always more than that, whether it鈥檚 the environment or people鈥檚 experience with the product, or something more. And yes, you definitely feel good doing the right thing. And you get another kind of motivation from the people here.

Your team? Leadership?

Answer:Both. I remember times when we thought, 鈥淭his is so daunting.鈥� Then we鈥檇 come out of meetings with Lisa Jackson, and I鈥檇 think, 鈥淪he鈥檚 so amazing 鈥� we have to make this happen!鈥�

It鈥檚 like a booster shot.

Answer:Yeah. When you meet with the execs, you see how they鈥檙e focused on the big picture, and they鈥檙e counting on you. Wow, no pressure.

鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of cool, because you realise that they believe in you more than you believe in yourself.鈥�

Learn about working in Operations and Supply Chain More stories about shared values

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