Monica Sar's Story‍

In the world of power systems, precision and planning drive results. Behind every successful project at HICO America is someone who makes sure the numbers add up, the bids are sharp, and the strategy is sound. For Monica Sar, Purchasing Manager, that’s where the fun begins.

From Paris markets to Pittsburgh substations, Monica’s career has been anything but conventional. Her journey shows that whether it’s luxury handbags or high-voltage transformers, great procurement is about more than contracts. It’s about vision, conviction, and teamwork.

A Global Path to Procurement

Monica began her career in fashion and retail in France, working across jewelry, leathergoods, perfumes, and cosmetics for nearly a decade. Always rooted in procurement, she specialized in purchasing for mass-market and luxury products in Paris, after obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Montpellier and master’s degree in Lyon. Along the way, she learned that quality is universal — the same standards that define excellence in luxury goods also guide smart purchasing in any industry.

By 2019, Monica was ready for a new chapter. She moved tithe United States for an international experience and quickly fell in love with Pittsburgh. “It’s funny,” she recalls. “In France no one would touch Peanut Butter, but Joe Locke told me in my first year at HICO in 2021 if I wanted to make friends here, I’d better learn to like it. I did not.”

After taking a year off to settle in, Monica began her job search in late 2020. When she found an opening at HICO, she knew immediately it was the right fit. “I loved procurement, and here was a chance to build my career again, this time in a new country and an industry with so much potential.” She joined in January 2021, when the company was still in an early stage of growth, with around 40 employees and a close-knit, family-orientedculture that continues today.

Building Tools for Smarter Work

When Monica started, the purchasing team was two people. From day one, she focused on creating structure, building tools and processes that became the backbone of HICO’s purchasing function and continue to shape how the team works today.

With support from her manager, Joe Locke, Monica built HICO’s revenue and margin analysis for Product Execution from scratch, a tool that tracks both purchasing and project management performance in real time. She also created a bid price calculator for transformer oil and installation with help from colleague Jackie Hoydick, eliminating hours of manual work.

For Monica, these weren’t just spreadsheets. They were proof that data could drive better decisions. “I love making numbers speak,” she says. “Work smarter, not harder.”

Leading with Conviction and Care

As HICO has grown, so has Monica’s role. Now leading a team, she approaches management with patience and purpose. Her philosophy is to train people well, give them the tools to succeed, and let them grow.

“Your resume is only the first battle,” she explains. “It’s the manager’s job to make each person self-productive. You don’t have to know everything, but you do need to know who to ask. The network is key.”

Monica’s practical approach to leadership comes from experience. Early in her career, an internship in London introduced her to procurement through a consulting firm’s brochure. It opened her eyes to how strategy, communication, and collaboration drive results — and she’s carried that mindset ever since. “That was the spark,” she says. “It showed me exactly what I wanted to do.”

Finding Joy Beyond the Office

When she isn’t making numbers sing, Monica can often be found at a local karaoke bar with friends. She loves good food, great company, and the excitement of a spontaneous night out. For Monica, finding happiness in her hobbies is just as important as excelling at work because life, like procurement, is about knowing what matters most.

Her personal mantra is simple but firm: be faithful, be honest, come prepared. Conviction, she believes, is essential. “You should always be ready to defend your ideas with facts and reason. Stay true to yourself and don’t let your views be easily shaken.”

The Road Ahead

Monica is proud to be part of HICO’s continued transformation, watching the company diversify, expand, and welcoming more talent each year while staying true to its supportive, collaborative roots. What drives her is simple: helping HICO grow profitably while lifting up the people around her.

“Making money for HICO means more opportunities for everyone,” she says. “Seeing my team evolve, watching them contribute and thrive, that’s what makes me happiest.”

From Paris to Pittsburgh, from fashion to transformers, Monica has built a career defined by resilience, innovation, and conviction. And as HICO continues to grow, she’s proof that procurement isn’t just about the bottom line. It’s about the people and purpose behind the power.