Nicole Estrada
Fallbrook,CA
Summary
Results-oriented, highly motivated, hands-on professional, with extensive experience leading teams to increase efficiency, drive employee engagement and improve customer satisfaction. A high achiever with a passion to inspire and motivate others through creativity and collaboration to support strategic goals and drive competitive growth. Strong record of taking initiative, building, and cultivating strong teams, orchestrating, and resolving conflict as well as promoting innovation to serve and support organizational purposes and goals.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Procurement / Contract Specialist
San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians
08.2023 - Current
- Provide expert guidance on complex contracting issues to support informed decision-making across organization
- Manage high-value contracts portfolio, maintaining strong relationships with interdepartmental stakeholders and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements
- Create and finalize contracts for all tribal projects with customers
- Increased operational efficiency through regular audits of existing contracts, identifying opportunities for renegotiation or termination when necessary
- Store and file contract documents in orderly, organized systems
- Enhance contract negotiation processes by streamlining documentation and communication procedures
- Attending various meetings with internal stakeholders and clients to maintain awareness of programs and issues providing relevant department information in support of tribal programs.
- Maintained effective and lasting vendor relationships through dynamic communication, collaboration, and intelligent questioning skills.
- Oversaw [Type] project upgrade and managed costs, leading to savings of $[Amount].
- Conducted research, identifying potential vendors and better pricing options.
- Accepted and processed supply requests from staff, and placed orders per procedures.
- Monitored incoming contracts and service agreements for correct pricing and information.
- Managed bidding process and award of purchases and delivery orders for construction contracts.
- Created and prepared specific contracts to present to senior management.
- Championed change management efforts following major contract revisions, ensuring smooth transitions and minimizing disruption to business operations.
- Reduced expenditures by 15% through implementing cost-saving measures.
- Performed in-depth market research, identified optimal acquisition strategies and prepared contracts for approval.
Founder & Executive Chef
Fresh Creations LLC Catering & Personal Chef Services
08.2017 - 08.2023
- Responsible for ensuring all business licenses, insurance policies, permits, county and state laws are abided by
- Develop policies and procedures to ensure compliance with county and state regulatory requirements around food safety principles
- Responsible for defining company business plan including executive summary, company description, products and services, marketing plan, operating plan, management and organization, financial plan, and startup expenses
- Accountable for all sales and marketing including advertising, promoting, accounting and invoicing procedures utilizing QuickBooks
- Central point of contact for addressing all customer service-related inquiries via email, social media, and phone
- Establish and maintain excellent client and vendor relationships through collaboration, retention, tailored communication, and exceeding expectations
- Responsible for recruiting, onboarding, and training 7 new employees
- Support compliance of food labels and other product communications to ensure consumers are aware of ingredients and instructions for safe handling and storage.
Supervisor - Customer Operations Billing
San Diego Gas & Electric
05.2016 - 08.2017
- Identified, analyzed, and implemented work processes and system improvements architected to enhance business needs and improve customer satisfaction
- Analyzed and accessed the business impact from regulatory changes including process analysis and design to ensure tariff compliance around energy needs and customer billing inquiries
- Conducted frequent liaison with internal clients to understand current issues of concern and anticipated future needs
- Participate in the development of requirements and production support policies; ensures compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements
- Reduce employee turnover, bolster employee engagement and create a positive, meaningful work environment
- Create departmental training documentation used to promote employee professional development
- Applied analytical, organizational, planning and communication skills to ensure that Capital, Regulatory, Refundable and O&M projects were delivered on time, on budget, and met the business needs
- Participated in the design and delivery of management and leadership professional development plans and career development training for department employees and work groups
- Maintain positive employee morale in a highly stressful work environment.
Supervisor - Requirements & Governance
San Diego Gas & Electric
06.2014 - 04.2016
- Identified, analyzed, and implemented work processes and system improvements architected to enhance business needs and improve customer satisfaction
- Analyzed and accessed the business impact from regulatory changes including process analysis and design to ensure tariff compliance around energy needs and customer billing inquiries
- Conducted frequent liaison with internal clients to understand current issues of concern and anticipated future needs
- Participate in the development of requirements and production support policies; ensures compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements
- Reduce employee turnover, bolster employee engagement and create a positive, meaningful work environment
- Create departmental training documentation used to promote employee professional development
- Applied analytical, organizational, planning and communication skills to ensure that Capital, Regulatory, Refundable and O&M projects were delivered on time, on budget, and met the business needs
- Participated in the design and delivery of management and leadership professional development plans and career development training for department employees and work groups
- Maintain positive employee morale in a highly stressful work environment.
Supervisor - Customer Systems & Interfaces
San Diego Gas & Electric
08.2012 - 06.2014
- Identified, analyzed, and implemented work processes and system improvements architected to enhance business needs and improve customer satisfaction
- Analyzed and accessed the business impact from regulatory changes including process analysis and design to ensure tariff compliance around energy needs and customer billing inquiries
- Conducted frequent liaison with internal clients to understand current issues of concern and anticipated future needs
- Participate in the development of requirements and production support policies; ensures compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements
- Reduce employee turnover, bolster employee engagement and create a positive, meaningful work environment
- Create departmental training documentation used to promote employee professional development
- Applied analytical, organizational, planning and communication skills to ensure that Capital, Regulatory, Refundable and O&M projects were delivered on time, on budget, and met the business needs
- Participated in the design and delivery of management and leadership professional development plans and career development training for department employees and work groups
- Maintain positive employee morale in a highly stressful work environment.
Supervisor - Systems Technology Support Billing
San Diego Gas & Electric
01.2007 - 01.2012
- Identified, analyzed, and implemented work processes and system improvements architected to enhance business needs and improve customer satisfaction
- Analyzed and accessed the business impact from regulatory changes including process analysis and design to ensure tariff compliance around energy needs and customer billing inquiries
- Conducted frequent liaison with internal clients to understand current issues of concern and anticipated future needs
- Participate in the development of requirements and production support policies; ensures compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements
- Reduce employee turnover, bolster employee engagement and create a positive, meaningful work environment
- Create departmental training documentation used to promote employee professional development
- Applied analytical, organizational, planning and communication skills to ensure that Capital, Regulatory, Refundable and O&M projects were delivered on time, on budget, and met the business needs
- Participated in the design and delivery of management and leadership professional development plans and career development training for department employees and work groups
- Maintain positive employee morale in a highly stressful work environment.
Education
Tribal Contracting And Purchasing
Falmouth Institute
Fairfax, United States11.2023
Master of Science (M.S) - Organizational Leadership
National University
01.2012
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Business Management
National University
01.2010
Certificate in Marketing -
National University
01.2010
Skills
- Organizational Leadership
- Training and Development
- Project Management
- Customer Satisfaction
- Process Improvements
- Microsoft Office
- Regulatory Compliance
- Accounting
- Contract Negotiation
- Procurement
Volunteer Experience
- San Diego Center for Children, Fundraising Event Coordinator, 2013-01-01, 2013-12-31
- San Diego Gas & Electric, Holiday Toy Drive Committee Chair, 2009-01-01, Present
Timeline
Procurement / Contract Specialist
San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians
08.2023 - Current
Founder & Executive Chef
Fresh Creations LLC Catering & Personal Chef Services
08.2017 - 08.2023
Supervisor - Customer Operations Billing
San Diego Gas & Electric
05.2016 - 08.2017
Supervisor - Requirements & Governance
San Diego Gas & Electric
06.2014 - 04.2016
Supervisor - Customer Systems & Interfaces
San Diego Gas & Electric
08.2012 - 06.2014
Supervisor - Systems Technology Support Billing
San Diego Gas & Electric
01.2007 - 01.2012
Tribal Contracting And Purchasing
Falmouth Institute
Master of Science (M.S) - Organizational Leadership
National University
Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Business Management
National University
Certificate in Marketing -
National University
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