April Sotelo
Mesa,AZ
Summary
Experienced with overseeing manufacturing processes and leading engineering teams to ensure efficient operations. Utilizes expertise in process improvement to streamline production and enhance quality. Track record of fostering team collaboration and maintaining high standards in manufacturing environments.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Service Technician
Mazon’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
Scottsdale, AZ
03.2025 - Current
- HVAC installation and repair, water heater replacement, and HVAC system maintenance.
Automation Engineering Supervisor
West Pharmaceutical
Tempe, AZ
10.2020 - 02.2025
- Managed a team of engineering technicians across four automated assembly lines valued at approximately $20M, ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance.
- Contributed to a positive safety culture through risk mitigation and adherence to proper use of PPE to maintain a strong focus on safety standards, contributing to a zero-incident record in maintenance operations.
- Tracked key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify areas for improvement and maximize productivity.
- Demonstrated sound decision making in prioritizing maintenance and repairs and managing workload effectively.
- Improved operational efficiency by slashing Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) from $1.4M to $330K ($1.07M) on one line and saving $76K annually in scrap on another through complex troubleshooting and process improvements.
- Executed routine maintenance and repairs, contributing to optimal Plant Management and equipment longevity.
- Contributed to meeting financial objectives through effective resource allocation and spare parts inventory control.
- Conducted performance reviews, coaching, and team development to enhance personnel skills and engagement.
- Contributed to hiring new employees, focusing on technical skills relevant to technician responsibilities. Also participated in company hiring events specific to technical skills.
- Present information to customer on machine performance metrics, providing quarterly updates on maintenance and repair expenditures, and supported machine upgrades and design reviews.
- Implemented streamlined support management processes to improve response times and quality.
- Effectively utilized skills to solve problems, maintaining high standards of service and customer satisfaction.
Manufacturing Engineer
West Pharmaceutical
Tempe, AZ
01.2020 - 10.2020
- Supported automation development and qualification for new assembly lines.
- Collaborated with engineering on design reviews, continuous improvement efforts.
- Drafted change requests, managed mold qualification schedules, and provided technical support for molding and assembly equipment.
- Led automation work instruction revisions and executed PDCA projects to improve molding automation processes.
Engineering Technician
West Pharmaceutical
Tempe, AZ
04.2014 - 01.2020
- Troubleshot and maintained automation equipment, including motors, sensors, and pneumatic components.
- Managed spare parts inventory, equipment logs, and authored work instructions.
- Lead process improvements and scrap investigations, utilizing mechanical and electrical schematics.
- Maintained and calibrated essential Tooling to ensure optimal performance and accuracy.
- Performed preventive maintenance and used machine interface I/O screens for troubleshooting.
Education
High School Diploma -
Pinnacle Charter High School
MesaSkills
- Proactive and results-driven
- Six Sigma and lean methodologies
- Project coordination
- Decision-making
- Health and safety regulations
- Production planning
- Engineering documentation
- ISO standards
- Industrial automation
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Cost reduction strategies
- Workforce training
- Production monitoring
- 5S methodology
- Scheduling proficiency
- Waste reduction
- Process improvement
- Manufacturing processes
- Technical support
Accomplishments
- Achieved a $1.07M reduction in Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) in one year on a single line through complex troubleshooting and process improvements.
- Resolved a high scrap issue of 24% on average over 3 months to 2.5% average for the following 6 months through rigorous upstream inspections and daily preventive maintenance.
Certification
- Six Sigma White Belt – Certification
- Cognex: In-Sight Easy Builder Standards – Vision Systems Training
- Mastering Project Management – Project management certification
- Mikron Automation Basic Training – Mikron machine certification
Timeline
Service Technician
Mazon’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
03.2025 - Current
Automation Engineering Supervisor
West Pharmaceutical
10.2020 - 02.2025
Manufacturing Engineer
West Pharmaceutical
01.2020 - 10.2020
Engineering Technician
West Pharmaceutical
04.2014 - 01.2020
High School Diploma -
Pinnacle Charter High School