Pamela Alfaro Z.
Project Manager/ Continuous Improvement Lead
San Rafael,Alajuela
Summary
Focused Project Manager adept at planning, directing and maintaining continuous operations in various departments. Experienced in directing manufacturing employees and keeping efficient production in accordance with quality standards. Applying creative and analytical approach to operations for continuous process improvement. Skilled at identifying or anticipating problems and providing solutions. Excels through mentoring, training and empowering team to excel in performance.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
17
17
years of post-secondary education
11
11
Certifications
2
2
Languages
Work History
Project Manager
British American Tobacco
8 2024 - Current
- Led and managed teams of 50+ members, efficiently allocating resources to meet project needs.
- Completed final deliverables, obtained stakeholder approval, conducted project reviews, and documented lessons learned.
- Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks according to urgency, resource availability, and alignment with organizational goals.
- Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives.
- Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.
- Monitored progress against established goals, adjusting schedules and resources as needed to keep projects on track.
- Met project deadlines without sacrificing build quality or workplace safety.
- Established effective communication among team members for enhanced collaboration and successful project completion.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks.
- Managed risk assessments and implemented mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues during project execution.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams and resolved conflicts, maintaining a positive work environment throughout the project lifecycle.
- Prepared detailed reports on project status for stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment with objectives.
- Developed strong relationships with stakeholders through regular communication updates, fostering trust and confidence in the team''s ability to deliver results.
Continuous Improvement Lead
British American Tobacco
08.2023 - Current
- Developed and executed plans for process enhancements, including managing 56 SOx controls.
- Led change management efforts, including communication, training, and process mapping.
- Monitored improvements with KPIs and scorecard reviews.
- Fostered a CI culture in a 50-person team through monthly meetings and recognition.
- Collaborated with departments to align improvements with goals.
- Reported progress to senior management and stakeholders.
- Established metrics-driven approach to monitor progress and measure success of continuous improvement efforts.
- Spearheaded adoption of new technologies, enabling improved efficiency and increased capacity for growth.
- Enhanced operational efficiency by identifying bottlenecks and implementing process improvements.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful execution of continuous improvement projects.
- Leveraged expertise in Lean methodologies to drive sustainable improvements across multiple departments within the organization.
- Utilized data-driven decision making to prioritize projects with the highest potential for impact on organizational goals.
- Developed comprehensive training programs to build a culture of continuous improvement within the organization.
- Championed change management initiatives, fostering a positive environment for innovation and growth.
- Achieved significant cost savings with the implementation of Lean Six Sigma methodologies.
- Improved production throughput by optimizing workflows and streamlining operations.
- Mentored team members on Lean Six Sigma principles, fostering a mindset of constant learning and development among staff members.
- Reduced waste and increased productivity through careful analysis of existing processes and targeted improvements.
GBS Professional Finance Team Lead
British American Tobacco
01.2021 - 08.2023
- Led a team of 10 people in the finance department, creating reports for stakeholders and advising clients on financial matters using Excel, SAP, Salesforce, and Oracle.
- Streamlined financial processes by implementing efficient software solutions and optimizing workflows.
- Enhanced stakeholder communication through timely delivery of clear, concise financial updates via presentations, written reports, or one-on-one discussions.
- Collaborated on a system transformation project with IT US, enhancing efficiency and user experience by providing key insights, areas for improvement, solutions, and supporting reports.
- Assessed and provided feedback on individual and team performance, set goals for improvement, and managed difficult situations, including improvement plans, to foster team development.
Senior Financial Analyst
British American Tobacco
01.2021 - 03.2021
- Increased financial accuracy by conducting in-depth analyses of financial data and trends.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive process improvements and increase operational efficiency.
- Enabled informed decision-making by presenting key findings from complex data sets in clear, concise formats for senior leadership team members.
- Streamlined financial reporting processes, resulting in more efficient delivery of critical information to stakeholders.
- Trained new analysts on corporate policies and procedures and implemented mentoring program, reducing onboarding time.
- Conducted detailed financial analysis to identify and evaluate changes in operations, trends and potential areas of improvement.
- Utilized Excel, SAP, Oracle, and Salesforce to deliver comprehensive financial reports and analyses for clients.
- Handled topics such as completed and pending payments, escalated investigations, and cross-functional problem-solving.
- Communicated with clients post-investigation, providing necessary evidence via email.
- Developed actionable recommendations from data analysis, prepared detailed reports and presentations for stakeholders.
- Identified opportunities for improving data collection and analysis processes, while providing guidance and support to junior analysts and team members.
Customer Service Agent
Auxis
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Customer Service Agent with experience in delivering high-quality support and resolving customer issues effectively.
- Skilled in managing high-volume interactions, employing strong communication and problem-solving abilities to improve customer satisfaction and retention.
Fraud Department Agent and Team Lead Assistant
Capital One
01.2017 - 12.2019
- Handled sensitive account information while providing secure and efficient customer support in the fraud department.
- Investigated and resolved fraud-related inquiries, ensuring compliance with security protocols and safeguarding customer data.
Education
Bachelor's Degree - Architecture
University/College
San Jose 05.2001 - 01.2018
Skills
Adaptability
Microsoft Office
Critical Thinking
Leadership
Project Management
Teamwork
Continuous Improvement
Certification
CCE Scrum Master certification
Timeline
Continuous Improvement Lead
British American Tobacco
08.2023 - Current
GBS Professional Finance Team Lead
British American Tobacco
01.2021 - 08.2023
Senior Financial Analyst
British American Tobacco
01.2021 - 03.2021
Customer Service Agent
Auxis
01.2019 - 01.2021
Fraud Department Agent and Team Lead Assistant
Capital One
01.2017 - 12.2019
Bachelor's Degree - Architecture
University/College
05.2001 - 01.2018
CCE Scrum Master certification
CCE Kanban
Six Sigma Foundations
Lean Six Sigma Foundations
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Training
Green Belt Training
Learning Design Thinking
Learning Data Science
Financial Modeling and Forecasting
Financial Statements Financial Forecasting with Big Data
Enhancing Team Innovation
Project Manager
British American Tobacco
8 2024 - Current
Similar Profiles
LWEENDO MATONGOLWEENDO MATONGO
Marketing Deployment Assistant at British American TobaccoMarketing Deployment Assistant at British American Tobacco
Mihaela BengaMihaela Benga
Commercial Finance Assistant Manager at British American TobaccoCommercial Finance Assistant Manager at British American Tobacco
MOSTAFA SABOURIMOSTAFA SABOURI
Sustainability Legal Counsel at British American Tobacco (Holdings) LtdSustainability Legal Counsel at British American Tobacco (Holdings) Ltd