Lara McCollum
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Quality Assurance professional with multi-industry work experience. Strong business acumen with a solutions approach to problem solving. Effective communication across organizational levels. Productive in both team and independent settings. Enthusiastic about learning and committed to continuous improvement.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Closing Expert
Target Corporation
11.2024 - Current
- Foster long-term customer relationships by delivering a welcoming, guest-first culture. Support store operations by making sure floor is fully stocked, well-zoned, and safe. Deliver excellent customer service by answering questions, suggesting items, pulling inventory, and finding items at other locations. Audit inventory counts and capacity for live update to store counts and team member devices. Exercise personal judgement to remove items from inventory due to appearance, condition, and store capacity. Demonstrate expertise with store technology, including handheld scanners, multi-frequency communication devices, and cash register systems,
Voting Machine Technician (Seasonal)
Shelby County Election Commission
10.2012 - 06.2016
- Followed technical processes to ensure integrity of pre/post-election operations. Logic and Accuracy testing. Hearing and height-assistive technologies testing. Audited electronic poll books to verify precinct load data and single vote restriction.
Senior Business Analyst (Contractor)
FedEx Corporation
12.2014 - 06.2015
- Created test cases to document functionality of new HUB transportation management software. Performed performance testing of new mobile hardware devices.
Business Analyst (Contractor)
FedEx Corporation
05.2013 - 07.2013
- Audited contraband and physical incident investigation reports. Advised field investigators of new reporting guidelines. Performed root cause analysis of case closure variances between regional hubs. Provided recommendations for streamlined training and data reporting.
Technical Lead (Contractor)
FedEx Services
10.2011 - 05.2012
- Worked with the Enterprise Data Center Quality Assurance to mitigate risk to the FedEx IT environment during data center migration. Modified test plan using data from multiple enterprise systems. Advised multi-disciplinary teams of project minimums and milestones. Managed team SharePoint site and managed secured access to project files.
Test Lead (Contractor)
Smith & Nephew, Inc.
01.2011 - 07.2011
- Performed test management for international data center consolidation. Approved test scripts. Revised test plan for traceability to project deliverables. Certified testing completion prior to go-live. Followed strict document revision control and digital storage for security, quality management system reviews, and FDA audit readiness.
Systems Analyst
Hilton Worldwide
09.2002 - 04.2009
- Performed software quality assurance and testing of the global OnQ property management system (PMS) used at 3,300 hotels. Audited technical documentation prepared by business analysts, making corrections to system behavior. Confirmed test environment setup for training department. Reviewed offshore testing team defect reports and advised them of expected system behavior. Created a new tester's guide for junior team members and interns. Maintained project document repository for audit.
Education
A.A.S. - Information Technology - Cybersecurity
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
04-2022
Homeland Security Certificate - Criminal Justice Technology
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
04-2022
Bachelor of Science - Community Development
Central Michigan University
Southfield, MIDiploma - Information Technology - System Administration
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Skills
- Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft 365
- Basic SQL querying skills
- Detailed, audit-ready documentation
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Strong organizational skills
- Data analysis expertise
- Exceptional customer service
- HIPAA, PCI DSS
Websites
Certification
- CompTIA Security+ 08/2024
Timeline
Closing Expert
Target Corporation
11.2024 - Current
Senior Business Analyst (Contractor)
FedEx Corporation
12.2014 - 06.2015
Business Analyst (Contractor)
FedEx Corporation
05.2013 - 07.2013
Voting Machine Technician (Seasonal)
Shelby County Election Commission
10.2012 - 06.2016
Technical Lead (Contractor)
FedEx Services
10.2011 - 05.2012
Test Lead (Contractor)
Smith & Nephew, Inc.
01.2011 - 07.2011
Systems Analyst
Hilton Worldwide
09.2002 - 04.2009
Diploma - Information Technology - System Administration
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
A.A.S. - Information Technology - Cybersecurity
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Homeland Security Certificate - Criminal Justice Technology
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Bachelor of Science - Community Development
Central Michigan University