KRISTA PENA
Lorain,Ohio
Summary
Highly organized and detail-oriented business operations professional with extensive experience supporting daily operations, finance, and project coordination in fast-paced environments. Proven ability to manage budgets, vendor relationships, payroll, and reporting functions while contributing to cross-functional initiatives. Recognized for strong communication skills, technical proficiency, and the ability to manage multiple priorities efficiently.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Administrative Manager
IPSC Corporation – West Lorain Power Plant
03.2019 - Current
- Support development and management of the plant’s operating budget, including approximately $40M in OpEx and $32M in CapEx, while tracking expenditures and performance against targets.
- Assist with contract negotiations and vendor management, including establishing terms and conditions, onboarding vendors, and maintaining compliance documentation.
- Coordinate project planning, scheduling, and control activities to support plant operations and maintenance initiatives.
- Collaborate across departments to assist with intra-portfolio, cross-functional project closures, ensuring timely completion and documentation.
- Manage purchase order lifecycle including creation, tracking, and reconciliation of invoices.
- Process invoices and oversee budget approval workflows for out-of-scope expenditures.
- Maintain plant inventory through cycle counts, adjustments, and optimization of stock levels.
- Prepare and contribute to monthly plant manager reports and operational summaries.
- Administer payroll and maintain employee schedules and system access (Dayforce, GPi, Maximo).
- Coordinate vendor services including inspections, maintenance, and emergency support (fire systems, HVAC, safety training, etc.).
- Manage IT and facility service requests and ensure timely issue resolution.
- Generate and distribute weekly and monthly operational reports (oil usage, P-card reconciliation, etc.).
Administrative Technician II
FirstEnergy Corporation – West Lorain Power Plant
03.2017 - 03.2019
- Processed work orders, notifications, and material receipts within plant systems.
- Managed invoicing, accrual reporting, and budget tracking activities.
- Administered payroll and timekeeping functions.
- Prepared monthly operational reports including fuel usage, mileage, and plant performance metrics.
- Coordinated safety meetings and maintained environmental and GADS reporting compliance.
- Supported daily plant operations including scheduling, logistics, and administrative coordination.
Inventory Coordinator / Buyer
University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center
03.2015 - 03.2017
- Managed purchasing and inventory operations using Oracle, including requisitions, purchase orders, and receiving.
- Maintained inventory across multiple hospital departments and ensured stock accuracy.
- Resolved purchase order discrepancies including pricing, quantity, and backorders.
- Generated reports for management including utilization, open orders, and financial tracking.
- Handled vendor communications, product recalls, and returns.
- Supported accounts payable functions and month-end financial close processes.
IVR Administrator / Payroll / Purchase Order Coordinator
Emerson Network Power – Lorain, Ohio
Lorain, Ohio
12.2007 - 03.2015
- Managed administrative operations of labor tracking (IVR) systems.
- Prepared payroll reports and supported accounts payable/receivable functions in SAP.
- Monitored exception reports and escalated issues to management.
- Coordinated work order review and release processes for contract staffing.
Paraprofessional / Accounting & Payroll Support
Lorain City Schools – Lorain, Ohio
Lorain, Ohio
09.2005 - 06.2007
- Provided administrative and financial support including payroll assistance and recordkeeping.
- Maintained inventory and processed purchase orders and expense reports.
- Assisted with customer service, communications, and general office operations.
Education
Business Academy I & II -
Lorain County Joint Vocational School
Oberlin, OhioDiploma - General Studies
Marion L. Steele High School
Amherst, OhioBusiness (Banking & Financing/Accounting/Secret -
Lorain Joint Vocational School
Lorain OhioSkills
- Budgeting & Financial Tracking
- Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable
- Payroll Administration (Dayforce, Paycom)
- Vendor Management & Contract Support
- Purchase Orders & Invoicing
- Project Planning & Coordination
- Inventory Control & Asset Management
- ERP Systems: Maximo, Oracle, SAP, MAS90, AS400
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Reporting & Data Analysis
- Human Resources Support
- Organization and multitasking
Certification
- Business Certification (Banking, Finance, Accounting, Secretarial)
- American Heart Association – BLS for Healthcare Providers
- National Safety Council – First Aid & Safety
Timeline
Administrative Manager
IPSC Corporation – West Lorain Power Plant
03.2019 - Current
Administrative Technician II
FirstEnergy Corporation – West Lorain Power Plant
03.2017 - 03.2019
Inventory Coordinator / Buyer
University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center
03.2015 - 03.2017
IVR Administrator / Payroll / Purchase Order Coordinator
Emerson Network Power – Lorain, Ohio
12.2007 - 03.2015
Paraprofessional / Accounting & Payroll Support
Lorain City Schools – Lorain, Ohio
09.2005 - 06.2007
Diploma - General Studies
Marion L. Steele High School
Business Academy I & II -
Lorain County Joint Vocational School
Business (Banking & Financing/Accounting/Secret -
Lorain Joint Vocational School