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An avid photographer and lover of nature, Cynthia Santoso finds herself most at peace in Kalimantan, Indonesia, where sunsets stretch across the horizon in breathtaking hues. Behind the lens of these stunning images is a powerhouse of talent, leadership, and quiet resilience.
At just 30 years old, Cynthia serves as the Lead Superintendent of the Refinery and Fractionation Plant at Apical, overseeing an impressive team of 116 people. In her role, she manages nine palm oil process plants, where she monitors chemical consumption, optimises production costs, and ensures quality control for processing crude palm oil and kernel oil – bio-based materials that support food, feed, oleochemicals and renewable fuel needs across the world. Her leadership has played a key part in building a team that not only performs efficiently, but also supports one another like a well-oiled machine.
“The plants and processes are all very important, but the real secret to a smooth operation is the people,” Cynthia confides. “I have been very fortunate to meet so many great people at Apical.”
Cynthia joined Apical as a wide-eyed management trainee, starting on the Apical-Kao Chemical project team. The company’s production capacity has nearly quadrupled since she joined eight years ago.
Cynthia’s journey with Apical began more than eight years ago, when she joined as a management trainee at the Apical-Kao Chemical project in Dumai, Riau. The challenges started as soon as she begun – she was exposed to unfamiliar technologies and faced a steep learning curve. But rather than be discouraged, Cynthia found it exhilarating. The experience opened her eyes to the world of engineering, and she dove into it with enthusiasm.
Looking back, Cynthia is proud to have grown with Apical during a time of remarkable expansion. The company’s production capacity has nearly quadrupled since she joined, and she has played a direct role in that transformation.
“It’s a privilege to contribute to something so dynamic,” she says. “It was incredible to grow alongside the company and witness this rapid evolution with a front row seat.”
Like any story worth telling, hers hasn’t been without its bumps. Leading a large team – especially one composed of individuals from diverse professional backgrounds – has brought its fair share of challenges. Many of the employees under her supervision came from different companies, bringing with them a pre-existing range of work habits, perspectives, and values. Some were seasoned veterans, doubtful when it came to taking direction from someone younger, and would challenge her continuously. Navigating that dynamic took patience and strong communication.
“Non-stop communication is key,” Cynthia emphasises. “And when there’s conflict, find common ground and start from there, and don’t ever stop communicating.”
Her leadership approach matured further when she was selected for the RGE Future Leaders Programme (FLP), a prestigious initiative designed to nurture high-potential individuals within the company. Through the FLP, Cynthia gained deeper insights into management, finance, and strategic leadership, tools that she now applies to foster an environment of collaboration within her team.
Her focus on operational excellence is guided by a QPC mindset – Quality, Productivity, and Cost control. She’s a firm believer in continuous improvement, always encouraging her team to reflect on past actions to shape a better future. Perhaps more importantly, Cynthia ensures her team understands the “why” behind the “what.”
“To get your team invested in the work, we must first ensure everyone understands why each process is important.” Why details matter, why their work makes a difference, and why curiosity is ultimately essential. Cynthia encourages questions and cultivates a culture where problem-solving is a shared responsibility.
“Don’t be a lone wolf,” she advises. “Work as part of a pack, and you’ll grow far more than you could have done alone.”
Cynthia balances work with her passion for photography, chasing natural beauty around Apical’s plants and refineries at East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
When the workday winds down, you’ll often find Cynthia outdoors, camera in hand, shaking off the stress by chasing light across the Kalimantan sky. Whether she’s resolving a conflict on the ground or guiding her team through complex operations, she brings the same clarity and intention as she does when capturing a photograph: focus, patience, and heart.
Cynthia’s story is layered with transformation. Each chapter and each new challenge mark a new era – from wide-eyed trainee to respected lead superintendent, she’s rewritten her narrative with grace and grit.
Learn more about careers at Apical: Careers | Apical
