Terra Elseng
Zion,IL
Summary
Forward-thinking project management specialist confident in leading team members, managing schedules and coordinating resources. Keeps projects on-track with decisive supervision and quick problem-solving. Persuasive in communicating and negotiating with internal team members, vendors and other stakeholders.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Manager
KDM Engineering, LLC.
Chicago , IL
05.2022 - 01.2024
- Engaged directly with clients in the energy & power sector, to build and maintain valuable relationships.
- Led tracking and managing analytics for project reporting on 4 project types (underground, overhead utilities, civil and AMIDA relay devices).
- Managed a team of 4 engineers to complete 75 designs for AMIDA Relay devices, installation locations and ensured completion under tight deadlines. Achieved 95% KPI's.
- Worked closely with internal stakeholders and cross-functional teams to define project reducing scope creep.
- Increased team productivity by 10% and efficiency by 15% using MS Office TEAMs and Webex to maintain communications and collaborate on project progress by reducing emails for faster response times.
- Collaborated with technical management and engineers on engineering estimates for RFQ & RFP proposals.
- Collaborated with a team of 3 project managers to work cross-functionally with overlapping design due dates and assigned resources to ensure on time delivery for projects.
- Conducted pre-design kick-off meetings, design reviews and coordinate with civil and drafting to identify underground utilities for AutoCad design
- Managed risk assessments, implemented mitigation strategies to minimize potential issues during project execution
- Negotiated revisions, changes and additions to contractual agreement with clients for approval
- Forecasted monthly budgets for milestone invoicing, project delivery and project close outs for final invoicing
- Provided regular project status updates to internal stake holders and clients, by conducting weekly project status meetings
- Performed high level design review of over head/ and or underground electrical designs before submitting to QA for technical review
- Verified red lines/comments were addressed by engineering before designs are released to the client
- Conducted post project evaluations and incorporated lessons learned activities for continuous improvement
- Provided construction support for permitting, design updates, field deviations and red-line for project close out.
Quality Document Specialist
Semtech Corporation
Camarillo , CA
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Supported R&D business unit quality manager and supported cross-functional teams.
- Respond to customer requests for quality documentation within the time constraints defined.
- Established and kept cycle times for customer requests by collaborating with customers, suppliers, engineers and other quality team members to resolve requests quickly and efficiently by using supported documentation from the QMS system (PLM).
- Interacted with engineering,manufacturing field operations and marketing departments to proper changes are documented and /or communicated effectively.
- Managed and updated REACH, ROHs, & BCP compliance tables.
- Worked with suppliers to obtain R &D data necessary to complete request and populate data repository (PLM) and keep customers updated on status extending beyond the requested by date on test data delays.
- Followed-up with back end R &D quality processes by supporting supplier corrective actions, process change notifications, non-conforming material requests, end of life notifications and supplier environmental test reports.
- Developed strong client relationships through consistent communication and attentive service.
- Resolved discrepancies between physical files and electronic records within the system.
- Conducted periodic audits of archived documents to ensure accuracy of information stored in the system.
Quality Engineer
Abbot Laboratories (ICONMA) Contract
Gurnee , IL
11.2020 - 02.2021
- Validated production batch records for accuracy and completeness to approve materials for use in production
- Reported and resolved all deviations/errors before production
- Validated new raw material quantities issued for production and report any discrepancies from inventory report
- Validated unused material removed from production floor and reconciled and returned to inventory
- Internal audits of production lines
- Ensured quality standards are being practiced by federal guidelines issued for production
- Advised on improvements to specific area/employees in production
- Tested samples for compliance and stability within acceptance criteria.
Quality Specialist Engineer
Fluence Automation_Blue Crest
Arlington Heights , IL
09.2017 - 07.2020
- Contributed to overall R & D development, implementation, training, and maintenance of Quality Management Systems (QMS).
- Supported R & D design, execution, and maintenance for quality systems processes and lean manufacturing.
- Ensured organization's QMS complies with internal/external ISO 9001 and regulatory, legal requirements.
- Managed R & D non-conforming material vendor returns.
- Developed and maintained quality control systems for production processes.
- Prepared reports on product defects to identify trends in quality issues.
- Monitored supplier performance to ensure parts met company specifications.
- Performed process inspections to evaluate conformance of products to established standards.
- Created inspection checklists and trained staff members in proper use of them.
- Analyzed customer complaints, identified root causes, and implemented corrective action plans.
- Provided technical support to other departments on quality-related matters.
- Investigated non-conforming materials and proposed solutions for improvement.
- Maintained records of test results, QC and QA activities, and related documents.
- Reviewed drawings, blueprints, and product specifications prior to production runs.
- Documented daily inspection results and reported any discrepancies or problems immediately.
- Recommended changes in design or testing protocols based on findings from inspections or tests.
- Collaborated with engineering teams to resolve complex product issues during the design phase.
- Assisted in the development of new products by conducting research into raw materials used in production processes.
- Ensured compliance with ISO 9001 requirements through regular audits and reviews.
- Supervised incoming inspection of material
- Managed monitor, measure, and review internal processes that affect the quality of the organizations products
- Internal ISO compliance audits to ensure program activities follow government regulation and company quality standards, corrective actions and root cause analysis
- Analyzed quality assurance data to identify trends and develop and implement corrective action plans.
- Prepared reports to communicate results of quality inspection activities to management.
- Collaborated with management to discuss effective plans for resolving major quality problems.
- Monitored QA procedures for adherence by employees, notifying personnel of non-compliance issues.
- Used quality monitoring data management systems to compile and track performance at team and individual levels.
- Determined training needs of staff and organized training interventions to achieve quality standards.
- Executed test cases and logged generated various reports and graphs for further analysis.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to identify, investigate and verify complex records and potential risk issues.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction ratings by building client rapport and timely resolving crises and issues.
- Secured positive customer experiences while executing effective quality assurance practices.
- Designed forms for documentation of testing procedures and results, identifying fields of measurement relevant to increasing production consistency.
- Learned new testing methods through continued education and research.
- Trained end users on software and hardware functionality, best practices and protocols.
- Initiated change management practices that created new revenue streams and streamlined operational efficiencies.
- Leveraged operational statistics to implement continuous improvement programs and generate substantial revenue gains.
- Worked with internal/external customers, employees, contractors, and outsourcing firms to develop requirements
- Recommended changes to operational methods and practices along with overall strategy to enhance department effectiveness
- Prepared training materials, conduct training courses to ensure employees follow programs and company requirements
- Reviewed and updated SOP's to ensure compliance, efficiency, and clarity of new and existing material used
- Wrote quality control documentation, standardized procedures across all departments promoting consistency
- Managed a team of 3 quality technicians, providing coaching and guidance for professional development and improved performance
- Software validation, testing, UI and regression testing.
- Conducted internal audits to ensure compliance with quality standards and procedures.
Human Services Caseworker
Department of Human Services
Waukegan , IL
01.2014 - 09.2017
- Performed professional casework activities in providing public aid services available from Department of Human Services as well as auxiliary state and local federal programs
- Explained eligibility criteria and requirements for public aid programs
- Collected customer data and decide eligibility, review customer's goals and participation expectations for programs
- Assessed customer's skills, evaluated their ability to obtain and keep employment; make proper referrals to other DHS programs, state services or local private services to verify customer receives available benefits
- Managed case loads of over 50 clients, prioritizing needs and maintaining accurate records
- Provided crisis intervention services, deescalating situation and connecting clients to appropriate resources
- Adhered to strict client confidentiality laws and site specific procedures to uphold privacy and provide the best experience possible.
QA Engineer
Bell and Howell
Wheeling , IL
01.2009 - 12.2013
- Responsible for supervising R & D QA test technician, quality assurance activities, including test plans, test case generation, automated, manual and GUI testing execution
- Ensured R & D software, hardware and client configurations were met during the development life cycle of product
- Reported software defects to engineering and cross-functional teams for errors reported by customers and validated by QA team
- Supervised, plan testing activities by priority and negotiate test time estimates with engineering staff
- Wrote instructions for program management including training and customer operator's manuals
- Improved team efficiency with streamlined test processes, resulting in faster release cycles
- Collaborated with developers to identify and resolve software issues, leading to higher product reliability
- Contributed to successful R & D product launches through meticulous end to end testing applications
- Facilitated smooth application migrations through comprehensive regression testing of existing functionality after updates or enhancements
- Aid project managers in estimating resource requirements and time lines for QA efforts, ensuring alignment with project deadlines
- Root cause analysis for code failures and errors.
Sr. Department Administrator
Bell and Howell
Wheeling , IL
01.1996 - 09.2009
- Prepared monthly reports detailing departmental budget status, progress towards goals, and any issues or challenges encountered.
- Created databases to track personnel performance, training records, and other relevant data.
- Organized meetings between department heads to discuss strategies and objectives.
- Developed and implemented procedures to ensure the efficient operation of the department.
- Conducted onboarding sessions for new staff members, providing them with necessary information about the department and its operations.
- Coordinated with outside vendors to secure necessary supplies and services for the department.
- Provided support to supervisors on disciplinary actions when needed.
- Maintained an accurate filing system for all documents related to the department's operations.
- Drafted correspondence for various internal communications such as memos, emails, letters.
- Monitored project timelines and budgets to ensure completion within established parameters.
- Compiled weekly expense summaries to provide senior management with updates on spending trends.
- Tracked employee attendance records using automated systems for accuracy.
- Generated purchase orders for equipment repairs or replacements as needed.
- Reviewed contracts from suppliers before approving payments on behalf of the department.
- Planned team-building events throughout the year to boost morale among staff members.
- Organized special projects assigned by upper management such as policy reviews or process improvements initiatives.
- Trained and mentored new associates on department policies and procedures.
- Reviewed and analyzed departmental budgets to increase adherence.
- Established work procedures or schedules to organize daily work of administrative staff.
- Managed paper or electronic filing systems by recording information, updating paperwork and maintaining documents.
- Worked with management team to improve workflows and eliminate unnecessary tasks.
- Liaised with customers, addressed inquiries, handled meeting requests and answer billing questions to provide outstanding customer care.
- Collaborated with other departmental leaders to establish organizational goals, strategic plans and objectives.
- Trained employees on best practices and protocols while managing teams to maintain optimal productivity.
- Created and implemented administrative processes and procedures to prioritize job tasks and establish personnel responsibilities.
- Analyzed internal processes and recommended and implemented procedural or policy changes to improve operations.
- Read through contracts, regulations and procedural guidelines to verify comprehension and compliance.
- Managed busy calendar for executive team, planning and preparing meetings and communications.
- Represented work unit at meetings or conferences to serve as liaison for requests or complaints.
- Organized and maintained documents, files and records.
- Monitored administrative tasks and personnel and supervised budget development and adherence.
- Served as a liaison between departments, resolving conflicts between teams.
- Ensured that all safety regulations were followed within the workplace environment.
- Managed employee vacation requests and leave balances while ensuring compliance with company policies.
Education
BSM Management -
Kaplan University
12.2008
A.A.S Criminal Justice -
Kaplan University
12.2006
Skills
- Project Management
- Agile Methodology
- SDLC ( Software Development Lifecycle)
- ROHs, REACH, BCP,D65 Compliance
- Communication
- Team building
- Backlog management
- Requirements gathering
- Results Driven
- ISO 9001:2015 Internal auditor certification
- Time management
- Budget control and forecasting
- ISO 9001 Standards
- CAR, 5 Why's, 8D Root Cause Analysis
- Effective customer and stakeholder communication
- Resource allocation and planning
- Project Tracking
- PPAP, APQP
- Permit Processing
- Systems Implementation
- Change and risk management
- Coaching, training and facilitation Leadership
- Attention to detail
- Quality Assurance
- Software skills: MS Office Suite, Office 365, Jira, PLM, Unanet, Citrix, SharePoint, AutoCAD
Activities
Volunteer at local food pantries to distribute food to needy families and participate in Cancer Fighters charity activities at City of Hope hospital.
Timeline
Project Manager
KDM Engineering, LLC.
05.2022 - 01.2024
Quality Document Specialist
Semtech Corporation
08.2021 - 05.2022
Quality Engineer
Abbot Laboratories (ICONMA) Contract
11.2020 - 02.2021
Quality Specialist Engineer
Fluence Automation_Blue Crest
09.2017 - 07.2020
Human Services Caseworker
Department of Human Services
01.2014 - 09.2017
QA Engineer
Bell and Howell
01.2009 - 12.2013
Sr. Department Administrator
Bell and Howell
01.1996 - 09.2009
BSM Management -
Kaplan University
A.A.S Criminal Justice -
Kaplan University
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