Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Languages
References
Timeline
Generic
Natalie Rivera
Open To Work

Natalie Rivera

Reston,VA

Work Preference

Job Search Status

Open to work
Desired start date: Open to discussion

Desired Job Title

Associate Project ManagerProject Manager

Work Type

Full Time

Location Preference

RemoteHybrid
Location: Reston, VA, USMiami, FLTampa, FLSt. Petersburg, FLFort Lauderdale, FL
Open to relocation: Yes

Salary Range

$120000/yr - $200000/yr

Important To Me

Work-life balanceCompany CultureHealthcare benefitsWork from home option401k matchPaid sick leaveCareer advancementPaid time offFlexible work hours

Summary

Associate Project Manager with demonstrated ability to lead teams effectively, collaborate cross-functionally, and drive project success. Strengths include project scheduling, risk management, relationship building and stakeholder communication. Skilled in collaboration, problem-solving, and adaptability, ensuring projects meet objectives with quality and
timeliness.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Associate Project Manager, PMO

VB Spine
09.2025 - Current
  • Manage day-to-day operations of projects while ensuring successful completion within established deadlines.
  • Keep project teams on-task through proactive management of budgets, schedules, and scopes, ensuring alignment with project objectives.
  • Develop detailed project plans, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocations.
  • Identify potential risks associated with assigned projects and develop mitigation strategies.
  • Facilitate team meetings to align on project goals, objectives, deliverables, and timelines, enhancing collaboration and clarity.
  • Facilitate meetings for cross-functional alignment and address concerns from stakeholders effectively.
  • Maintain accurate records of all project documents including meeting minutes and change requests.
  • Provide regular status updates to senior management on progress of active projects, ensuring informed decision-making and engagement.

Senior Quality Engineer

VB Spine formerly Stryker
09.2023 - 09.2025
  • Executed processes to ensure high-quality production of spinal implants and surgical instruments in alignment with QMS.
  • Led QC team of 13 employees as the interim Quality Control Supervisor, managing daily operations and collaborating with finance and supply planning to prioritize product flow. Reduced backorders to $900K, significantly below the target of $1.5M and the stretch goal of $1M.
  • Owner of Sustaining Supplier Part Certification Process. Completed the first Supplier Part Certifications for Stryker Spine, executing 11 PPAPs, and certifying 2,460 SKUs across 6 implant suppliers.
  • Managed Supplier-Initiated Change Request process, closing over 50 supplier change requests by leading weekly Supplier Change Review Board meetings.
  • Applied statistical methods of analysis for process control, supporting management review, and CAPA initiatives.
  • Lead internal and supplier-driven NC/CAPA projects, and manage timely root cause investigation, implementation, and closure.
  • Support internal and external audits, ensuring compliance with GMP regulations from the FDA and other regulatory bodies.
  • Support the development and review of process and equipment validation/qualifications (IQ, OQ, PQ, EQ, MSAs).

Quality Engineer

Stryker
11.2021 - 08.2023
  • Conducted root cause evaluations to mitigate risks and promote continuous improvement.
  • Analyzed quality metrics to identify trends and areas for enhancement.
  • Implemented corrective and preventive actions addressing non-conformities identified during inspections.
  • Led weekly Material Review Board meetings to determine disposition of Quality Control rejected products.
  • Drove timely assessment and implementation of changes via Management of Change process.
  • Managed Approved Supplier Lists for Spine, Leesburg, and Allendale sites, ensuring proper classification and qualification.

QUALITY ENGINEER

PRAXIS MEDICAL LLC
09.2020 - 10.2021
  • Wrote and updated procedures to ensure compliance with FDA QSR, ISO 13485, MDSAP, and MDR.
  • Conducted root-cause investigations to establish and implement corrective action plans.
  • Developed and maintained Design History Files for current and future medical devices.
  • Reviewed quality data for Post Market Surveillance, including complaints and device performance.
  • Evaluated suppliers through performance reviews and critical audits to ensure quality standards.
  • Supported internal and regulatory audits, including FDA inspections and ISO certifications.
  • Assisted in FDA 510(k) submissions to facilitate product approvals.

Education

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - Biomedical Engineering

Florida International University
Miami, FL
04.2020

Skills

  • Project management
  • Continuous improvement
  • Quality management
  • Root cause analysis
  • Vendor Management
  • Project scheduling
  • Cross-functional teamwork
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Relationship building
  • Process mapping

Certification

  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
  • ISO 13485

Accomplishments

  • 2024 Stryker Spine Excellence Award Recipient
  • 2023 Stryker Spine Peer Recognition Award Recipient

Affiliations

  • Employee Resource Group leader for SOMOS and SWN

Languages

English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Spanish
Proficient (C2)
C2

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Associate Project Manager, PMO

VB Spine
09.2025 - Current

Senior Quality Engineer

VB Spine formerly Stryker
09.2023 - 09.2025

Quality Engineer

Stryker
11.2021 - 08.2023

QUALITY ENGINEER

PRAXIS MEDICAL LLC
09.2020 - 10.2021

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - Biomedical Engineering

Florida International University

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Natalie Rivera