MARIE MALDONADO
Apopka
Summary
Senior Operations and Program Leader with 20+ years of experience driving large-scale site launches and operational excellence across Amazon’s Workforce Staffing organization. Proven record supporting 120+ new site launches across SSD, AIR, and Hub business lines in the U.S., Canada, LATAM, and Japan. Known for improving execution through disciplined operating mechanisms, driving a 15%+ year-over-year cost per hire reduction, and stabilizing performance in high-ambiguity, launch-heavy environments. Fosters strong field credibility while employing data-driven strategies and advanced GenAI-enabled workflows to optimize productivity, minimize costs, and strengthen leadership impact.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Program Manager – Workforce Staffing
AMAZON
01.2023 - Current
- Own enterprise Workforce Staffing mechanisms including Rhythm of the Business (WBRs, MBRs, QBRs), Cost Per Hire governance, engagement programs, and executive communications
- Owned Cost Per Hire (CPH) mechanisms, driving a 15%+ year-over-year reduction since 2023 through disciplined governance, trend analysis, and leadership decision support
- Designed and launched Quarterly All-Hands for U.S. Workforce Staffing, achieving 95%+ satisfaction scores, improving organizational alignment, transparency, and execution clarity
- Architected and implemented the first integrated people, culture, and engagement operating model for Workforce Staffing, serving a 700+ employee organization across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Brazil
- Founded and led CGEN (Culture, Growth & Engagement Network) to operationalize engagement, development, recognition, and communication mechanisms aligned to this operating model
- Spearheaded GenAI adoption and enablement, achieving 96% training completion among L4–L7 leaders, covering AI fundamentals, legal and ethical considerations, and applied operational use cases
- Designed and implemented GenAI-enabled workflows, including Asana workflow automation, documentation standardization, and reporting support, improving execution consistency, leader efficiency, and scalability
- Partner with senior leadership to translate business priorities into scalable programs, operating mechanisms, and execution roadmaps across Workforce Staffing
Senior Launch Leader – Workforce Staffing
AMAZON
01.2019 - 01.2023
- Led and supported Workforce Staffing strategy for 120+ new site launches across SSD, AIR, and Hub business lines throughout the U.S., Canada, LATAM, and Japan (including 35+ launches in 2021 and 25+ in 2022), owning execution from pre-launch through post-launch stabilization
- Acted as a key contributor to SSD Operations Excellence (OpX) by embedding launch best practices, standard work, and playbooks directly into site execution
- Partnered with site and regional leaders to ensure staffing readiness, execution discipline, and rapid operational stabilization in launch-heavy environments
- Developed and scaled SOPs, playbooks, operational trackers, and standard work supporting SSD, AIR, and Hub launches, improving on-time readiness and post-launch outcomes
- Delivered launch performance insights through operational reporting and executive narratives, supporting risk identification and mitigation during periods of rapid growth
- Developed and mentored L4–L6 leaders, strengthening launch readiness, execution discipline, and operational ownership
Outbound Operations Manager (MIA1, AR SORTABLE)
AMAZON
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Led and developed 5 Area Managers and 500+ hourly associates, owning safety, quality, productivity, and customer experience across AFE1, Ship Dock, and Transship operations
- Played a critical leadership role in one of Amazon’s most complex AR Sortable launches, onboarding and training 500+ associates ahead of Peak
- Improved throughput stability and labor efficiency through labor planning, standard work, and execution discipline, supporting sustained productivity gains during launch and Peak
- Achieved zero safety injuries during launch and Peak while improving Ship Dock scan compliance and rolled freight performance by 30–40%
- Partnered with HR to implement Time Off Task tracking and performance management mechanisms at site level
HR Program Manager, NAFC (ESL/NES)
AMAZON
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Designed and scaled the ESL/NES program across the NAFC network, increasing the direct-hire funnel by 70% year-over-year
- Built standard work, metrics tracking, and operational playbooks to support program scalability
- Partnered with Operations and Workforce Staffing leaders to align hiring, onboarding, and training execution
Site Leader, Prime Now (Last-Mile & Food Delivery)
AMAZON
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Hired, trained, and led a team of 2 Operations Managers, 4 Area Managers, 6 Assistant Managers, 4 Dispatch Supervisors, and 150+ associates during rapid site launch and scale
- Launched food delivery operations at site level and expanded execution to support food delivery for multiple surrounding sites
- Pioneered a centralized food delivery operating model, shifting from site-specific execution to a centralized dispatch approach, improving delivery consistency, speed, and cost efficiency
- Improved delivery throughput and route efficiency, enabling a reduction in delivery cost from $70 to $9.10 (87% reduction) within the first year
- Achieved 98%+ engagement scores through targeted associate engagement and leadership development initiatives
- Designed and implemented a site-wide development program resulting in multiple promotions to Operations Manager and Area Manager roles
Operations Manager, Amazon Fresh (East Coast Launch)
AMAZON
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Led the East Coast launch of Amazon Fresh, hiring and developing 6 Area Managers and 600+ associates
- Increased operational throughput and labor efficiency during launch, supporting large-scale inventory readiness ahead of customer go-live
- Improved engagement scores from 73% to 90% within six months through leadership development and execution discipline
- Stabilized attendance at 95% and reduced attrition to <5%
General Manager
HOSPITAL CENTRAL SERVICES COMPANY
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Managed operations for 700+ hourly and 35+ salaried employees, overseeing production, distribution, HR, safety, and finance
- Improved productivity by 26%, delivering $1.5M in labor cost savings within one year
- Led union labor relations and grievance resolution with Teamsters and Unite locals
Education
Ph.D. - Cybersecurity and AI
Dakota State University
South DakotaMaster of Science - CyberCrime And Digital Forensics
University of South Florida
Tampa, FLMaster of Science - Engineering Management
New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJBachelor of Science - Industrial Engineering
Polytechnic University
Puerto RicoSkills
- Program & Project Management
- New Site Launch Execution & Stabilization
- Operations Excellence (OpX) & Standard Work
- Safety, Quality, Productivity & Cost Optimization
- Rhythm of the Business (WBRs, MBRs, QBRs)
- Cost Per Hire (CPH) Governance
- Data-Driven Decision Making & Metrics
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Change Management & Organizational Adoption
- GenAI Adoption & Workflow Automation (Asana)
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Senior Program Manager – Workforce Staffing
AMAZON
01.2023 - Current
Senior Launch Leader – Workforce Staffing
AMAZON
01.2019 - 01.2023
Outbound Operations Manager (MIA1, AR SORTABLE)
AMAZON
01.2018 - 01.2020
HR Program Manager, NAFC (ESL/NES)
AMAZON
01.2017 - 01.2018
Site Leader, Prime Now (Last-Mile & Food Delivery)
AMAZON
01.2015 - 01.2017
Operations Manager, Amazon Fresh (East Coast Launch)
AMAZON
01.2014 - 01.2015
General Manager
HOSPITAL CENTRAL SERVICES COMPANY
01.2011 - 01.2015
Ph.D. - Cybersecurity and AI
Dakota State University
Master of Science - CyberCrime And Digital Forensics
University of South Florida
Master of Science - Engineering Management
New Jersey City University
Bachelor of Science - Industrial Engineering
Polytechnic University