Michele Najar
Duncan,Arizona
Summary
Dynamic Lean Coach experienced in guiding teams through Lean principles and Continuous Improvement initiatives. Skilled in problems solving to create improvement measures and standard works that drive operational efficiency and collaborative employee engagement. 32 years of public service in transportation and public safety, focusing on administration and management of in public resources, personnel and roadway maintenance.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Lean Coach
Arizona Department of Transportation
2019.10 - Current
- Deliver in-person and virtual coaching of Lean and Continuous Improvement principles to Highway Maintenance, Right-of Way Permitting, Roadway Construction and Materials groups
- Develop key performance indicators, tracking mechanisms and metrics with leading and lag measurements
- Create dashboards as visual management tools for progress indicators and data analysis to identify areas for process improvement and increase efficiency
- Lead problems solving efforts using 4 or 8 step methodology, root cause analysis, countermeasure development for district, statewide, cross-divisional and industry partner groups to ensure collaboration and systemic problem solutions
- Guide teams in development of standard work for unit to statewide processes; ensure they are vetted, staff is trained and a review cycle is established.
- Hold Kaizen events to encourage, share and celebrate employee innovations
- Program Manager for statewide Equipment Roadeo events
- Lead statewide effort to reorganize the Highway Operation Technician classification to improve retention and develop leadership skills for career progression.
- Facilitate cross-divisional voice of the customer driven project to reform technical training for Maintenance personnel
- Serve as a Maintenance and Lean subject matter expert for agency-wide human resource management initiatives and strategic planning efforts
- Develop and deliver training programs to enhance team performance and operational efficiency using 8 Wastes, 5S, metrics, team huddles, problem solving, standard works and innovations
- Boost team morale through regular communication, feedback, team building and recognition of individual achievements
Administrative Service Officer I
Arizona Department of Transportation
2010.07 - 2019.10
- Responsible for the administration and management of all business functions for the Southeast Operations District to support the Maintenance, Construction, and Permits programs and numerous Regional hosted staff
- Supervised 4-8 administrative staff members; ensured they were properly trained and had a high understanding of the construction or maintenance work functions performed at their assigned units in order to best serve and support their missions
- Liaison with corporate specialists for all areas of responsibility.
- Administered and directed district-level Human Resource processes for staff of approximately 100 including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, promotions, ETE payroll approval, FMLA, EEO
- Ensured operators' CDL requirements were met; oversaw drug/alcohol testing;
- Coordinated grievances and complaints with appropriate offices; facilitated employee relation issue resolution; guided and assisted supervisors with progressive discipline actions from verbal warning through dismissal, performance appraisals, and investigations
- Interpreted, applied, explained and enforced applicable policies and procedures.
- Responsible for million dollar budget: allocated, tracked and managed budgets for multiple work units and funding sources at both capital and non-capital levels; authorized and prioritized expenditures based on justified needs and ensured funds are spent in accordance to state and federal regulations; prepared annual and special funding requests and reports.
- Oversaw all procurement activities for assigned budgets and programs: authorized expenditure of funds; approved purchase requests based on agency need and funding availability; oversaw team of administrative staff that researches contracts and creates purchase orders to ensure all State Procurement laws are adhered to; ensure all goods and services are properly received and paid; problem-solve all procurement for issues.
- Member of district leadership team: familiar with district activities and concerns for construction, maintenance, development, and permits programs; assist with preparation of annual work plan and report; coordinate work-force planning by predicting staffing levels based on need and attrition rates, suggest succession planning strategies, and create and monitor mission critical position requests; promote employee engagement activities and champion continuous improvement efforts.
- Sponsored and directed district Safety program including conducting monthly District Safety Representative meetings, quarterly and annual yard inspections; review, investigated all incidents and near misses and implemented corrective/preventative measures; tracked incidents, analyzed for trends, initiated and implemented special campaigns or additional training; attended statewide safety meetings and served on Safety Council; organized annual Safety Standdown Day events.
- Managed the coordination and scheduling of in-district training opportunities to ensure the most efficient use of limited resources and reduce down-time; tracked training matrices for new employees and promotions.
- Served on statewide implementation teams and utilized change management principles to roll-out multiple new programs/processes that had major impact on all programs and employees including: employee performance management (MAP), Personnel Reform, Talent Acquisition hiring process, Targeted Selection behavioral based interview process, electronic onboarding, Procure AZ and APP procurement systems, new state accounting system (AFIS), District Realignment, Electronic Time Entry, and the Continuous Improvement initiative.
- District Incident Management team member: assisted with coordination of logistics and allocation of resources for response to major incidents due to accidents, weather events or other disasters that stop the follow of traffic; ensured long-term response and resources are available and sustainable.
- Championed district employee appreciation efforts including spot recognition, major event and annual recognitions.
- Coordinate facilities maintenance and improvement activities.
Administrative Assistant 3
Arizona Department of Transportation
2000.07 - 2010.07
- Administer all procurement functions
- Maintain all materials and fixed asset inventories
- Entered and reconciled all daily crew reports in maintenance management system
- Provided back-up flagger duties and deploy VMS boards for emergencies.
- Coordinated inter-agency responses and reimbursement documentation for emergency incidents including fire, flood, snow and hazardous material spills.
- Provided information to the traveling public and update AZ511
- Assisted in preparing correspondence, reports, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
- Streamlined filing system to improve document retrieval efficiency and accuracy.
- Liaised with vendors to ensure timely procurement of office supplies and services.
Program and Planning Specialist III
Arizona Game and Fish
1994.07 - 2000.07
- Statewide Boating Education Coordinator 7/99 to 7/2000
- Range Master, Redevelopment Coordinator, Community Outreach Specialist, General, Tactical and Women's Shooting Instructor for Ben Avery Shooting Range 8/95 to 6/99
- State Certified Peace Officer 7/94 to 2000; Reserve Officer-retired 2021
Education
Bachelor of Science - Wildlife & Range Management
Colorada State University
Fort Collins, COAssociate of Applied Science - Criminal Law
Rio Solado Community College
Scottsdale, AZSkills
- Facilitation and collaboration
- Implementing Process Improvements
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Training Delivery
- Data Analysis
- Problems Solving
- Google Guru
- Human Resource Management
- Budget Administration
- Emergency Management & Response
Timeline
Lean Coach
Arizona Department of Transportation
2019.10 - Current
Administrative Service Officer I
Arizona Department of Transportation
2010.07 - 2019.10
Administrative Assistant 3
Arizona Department of Transportation
2000.07 - 2010.07
Program and Planning Specialist III
Arizona Game and Fish
1994.07 - 2000.07
Bachelor of Science - Wildlife & Range Management
Colorada State University
Associate of Applied Science - Criminal Law
Rio Solado Community College