Mikaela E. Manson
Bolingbrook,IL
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Transportation & Distribution Supply Chain Analyst
BASF
12.2024 - Current
- Led a marine supply chain optimization project that eliminated reliance on third-party barge inspection services, capturing $300K in annual cost savings.
- Transitioned inspection responsibilities to a contracted tankerman company by developing new SOPs, risk .assessments, and process maps.
- Collaborated with Quality, Operations, and Marine teams to redesign end-to-end inspection workflows using an online process tool, accelerating cycle time and improving cross-team handoffs by consolidating all documentation into a single source of truth.
- Conducted data analysis on inspection failures, rework, and shipment delays to identify systemic root causes and cost drivers.
- Created dashboards and reporting tools to track logistics KPIs, enabling leadership to make data-driven decisions.
- Assisted in developing and training an AI automation tool to streamline invoice processing, increasing efficiency and reducing cycle time by 30%.
Production Engineer
BASF
12.2021 - Current
- Successfully managed concurrent production campaigns, overseeing the on-time production of millions of pounds of catalysts. Utilized extrusion, dynamic drying, mixing, and calcining technologies to ensure high-quality output while prioritizing safety throughout the entire process.
- Cultivated and maintained strong relationships as lead engineer for the site's key customer, Chevron, delivering technical reviews and insights to important stakeholders, ensuring alignment with production goals and expectations.
- Created and improved engineering documentation for manufacturing processes, equipment specifications, and change notices for all production campaigns.
- Implemented process improvements to increase yields, improve quality, improve cost effectiveness, and reduce downtime.
- Collaborated directly with research and development, business and technology managers, operations, maintenance, quality, supply chain, and customers.
- Provided round the clock technical support to troubleshoot equipment issues, minimizing downtime and maintaining production targets and quality.
- Completed and submitted monthly analytical reports to support executive decision making.
- Effectively trained and mentored new engineer, ensuring smooth onboarding and knowledge transfer, while efficiently managing my own production responsibilities to meet deadlines and quality standards.
Production Engineer
BASF
04.2021 - 12.2021
- Completed weekly MOCs, batch record reviews, and NCM investigations to decrease customer concerns.
- Worked with compliance and regulatory group to ensure Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements are met.
- Investigated and proposed corrective actions for quality issues.
- Utilized TrendMiner to identify plugged nitrogen lines and create respected alarms to assist operations to increase production yield above 80% at unit's prill tower.
- Identified risk mitigation actions to reduce injuries, accidents, and hazards in production environment.
Customer Experience Champion
BASF
07.2020 - 03.2021
- Conducted stakeholder analysis of 25 North American BASF power users for the Salesforce rollout to help identify opponents, followers, and enthusiasts for interface implementation.
- Utilized Microsoft teams to manage Salesforce training materials and to optimize communication amongst Salesforce power users and Salesforce end users.
- Developed spreadsheet to document over 100 customer interactions to maintain customer service history details for account manager.
- Worked with North and South American implementation leads to create 3 userlist templates for Salesforce.
- Coordinated Salesforce bi-weekly office hours for BASF sales teams to collaborate on effective solutions and resolve issues to increase user adoption and user satisfaction.
- Presented presentation about implementation progress to senior leadership of the company.
- Authored and published article for BASF Global Newsletter and CP Insights describing how the sales team identified pain points and created sustainable solutions using the Net Promoter System tool.
Process Safety Engineer
BASF
09.2019 - 07.2020
- Supported sites by collecting sufficient data to complete 50 pressure relief device calculations while providing recommendations for the remediation of deficient Non-HFDC devices.
- Carried out OSHA PSM and EPA RMP audit sections to completion while offering areas of safety improvement for two sites. Documented findings with required evidence, assigned action levels, and presented in audit closing meetings.
- Utilized Microsoft excel macros to help modify audit checksheets for a more efficient auditing process.
PDP Engineering Intern
BASF
05.2018 - 08.2018
- Led the initial site wide implementation of mobile operator rounds and provided trainings for the Intelatrac software
- Provided justifications for purchase of $300,000 worth of critical spare parts for equipment by reporting lead time, building idle cost, and idle cost.
- Reported and analyzed the data representative of 250 + hours of downtime for bottleneck areas at the site.
- Maintained constant communication with vendors to obtain quotes and to coordinate meetings essential for technical project completion.
PDP Engineering Intern
BASF
05.2017 - 08.2017
- Utilized the BASF’s Kollicoat MAE 100-55 to effectively coat tablets and softgel capsules for customers with requested conditions.
- Discovered the impact of formulation composition on the drug dissolution kinetics. Controlled the drug release time from 1 hour to more than 24 hours.
- Co-authored scientific publication discussing the application of Kollicoat MAE100-55 in sustained release drug development.
- Proficient in utilizing pharma product development equipment of tablet machine, fluid bed, pan coater, disintegration tester apparatus and UV spectrometer.
Research Assistant
North Carolina A&T University
03.2016 - 08.2016
- Conducted tests to detect the energy transfer for the reactions of lanthanide metals and phthalates. Analysis of the reaction will be used to assist in creating a sensor to identify phthalates in manufactured products.
- Followed specific safety rules and regulations in performing assigned duties. Performed duties to conduct prototype or laboratory tests following prescribed procedures.
- Assisted in compiling, analyzing, and interpreting data to prove or disprove hypothesis.
Education
Master of Engineering - Engineering Mangement
Duke University
Durham, NC05-2025
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
North Carolina A&T State University
Greensboro05-2019
Harvard Business School Summer Venture in Management Program
Boston, MA2018
Skills
- BASF Women in Business Member: 2019-Current
- BASF National AAEG Communications Chair: 2020-2021
- BASF Houston Chapter AAEG Community Service Chair: 2020-2021
- Part-Time Zion Learning Tutor: 2020-2021
Skills
Process Analysis & Optimization, Quality Control, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Troubleshooting, Resource Management & Prioritization, Multitasking & Organization, Strong Cross-Functional Communication, Adaptability, Continuous Improvement (Lean/Six Sigma Principles), Professional Presentation & Communication
- Software: SAP, Aspen, Wonderware, TrendMiner, Microsoft Office Tools
- Technical & Analytical Experience: Experimental Design, Data Analysis, Engineering Calculations, Laboratory Instrumentation Techniques (Luminescence Spectroscopy, FT-IR), Mechanochemical Synthesis
- Programming: Java (foundational)
Timeline
Transportation & Distribution Supply Chain Analyst
BASF
12.2024 - Current
Production Engineer
BASF
12.2021 - Current
Production Engineer
BASF
04.2021 - 12.2021
Customer Experience Champion
BASF
07.2020 - 03.2021
Process Safety Engineer
BASF
09.2019 - 07.2020
PDP Engineering Intern
BASF
05.2018 - 08.2018
PDP Engineering Intern
BASF
05.2017 - 08.2017
Research Assistant
North Carolina A&T University
03.2016 - 08.2016
Master of Engineering - Engineering Mangement
Duke University
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
North Carolina A&T State University
Harvard Business School Summer Venture in Management Program