Paola is available for hire
Hire PaolaPaola Palacio Aranza
Verified Expert in Finance
Management Consulting Expert
Location
San José, San José Province, Costa Rica
Toptal Member Since
June 7, 2022
Paola is a senior manager with 20+ years of experience in leadership positions related to business development, project management, standardization, and budget and cost controls. She's results-oriented and has a successful track record in global shared services, manufacturing, and medical industries. Paola is a strategic leader with experience managing startups, strong communication and relationship-building skills, an avid learner, and a Lean Six Sigma, change management, and Agile enthusiast.
Career Highlights
Operational Excellence Consultant
Freelance
Business Manager and Startup Leader
High Technology Solutions
Education Highlights
Bachelor of Science Degree
International University of the Americas
Certification Highlights
Six Sigma Foundations
LinkedIn
Remote Work Revolution for Everyone
Harvard University
Strategic Management
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
Case Studies
Expertise
Work Experience
Operational Excellence Consultant
2016 - PRESENT
Freelance
- Conducted assessments of company operations to identify areas for improvement.
- Designed and implemented operational improvement plans.
- Provided guidance on process standardization and cost control.
- Developed and executed growth strategies for clients.
- Collaborated with clients to ensure a successful implementation of recommendations.
Focus areas: Change Management, Administration, Human Resources (HR), Inventory, Projects, Administrative Procedures, Operating Models, Target Operating Models, Process Flows, Process Design, Continuous Improvement, Process Mapping, Business Strategy, Business Management, Training, Management, Business, Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Negotiation, Human Capital Strategy, Production, Head Hunting, Digital Transformation, Customer Experience, Management Consulting, Project Management, Operations, Business Development, Storytelling, Branding, Lean Six Sigma, Business Operations, Growth Strategy, Organizational Design, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Market Research, Market Segmentation, Operational Excellence, Business Process Flow (BPF), Business Process Management (BPM), Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Entrepreneur and Business Manager
2009 - 2016
Ideas
- Led business development efforts and brand development.
- Managed and motivated a diverse team to enhance productivity.
- Developed short and long-term plans to drive company growth.
- Identified new opportunities and set strategic objectives.
- Maintained financial discipline through budget management.
- Ensured compliance with legal guidelines and policies.
- Successfully initiated operations in Costa Rica, managing a $60,000 budget within a 3-month period.
Focus areas: Administration, Startups, Negotiation, Human Resources (HR), Head Hunting, Projects, Training & Training Content Development, Learning, Mentorship & Coaching, Operating Models, Target Operating Models, Process Flows, Process Design, Continuous Improvement, Process Mapping, Business Strategy, Business Management, Training, Management, Business, Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Human Capital Strategy, Production, Quality Control (QC), Digital Transformation, Customer Experience, Digital Strategy, Project Management, Operations, Warehouse Management System (WMS), Supply Chain, Business Development, Storytelling, Brand Identity, Branding, Lean Six Sigma, Pricing, Business Operations, Growth Strategy, COO, Financial Modeling, Organizational Design, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Market Research, Market Segmentation, Operational Excellence, Business Process Flow (BPF), Business Process Management (BPM)
Business Manager and Startup Leader
2005 - 2009
High Technology Solutions
- Provided leadership and direction for company operations.
- Led cross-functional teams in executing growth strategies.
- Evaluated employee performance and implemented improvement plans.
- Developed and managed comprehensive budgets.
- Ensured compliance with legal requirements.
- Oversaw resource allocation and optimization.
- Spearheaded the opening of operations in Costa Rica, managing a $140,000 budget within an 8-month period.
Focus areas: Administration, Change Management, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources (HR), Head Hunting, Projects, Negotiation, Operating Models, Target Operating Models, Process Flows, Continuous Improvement, Process Mapping, Business Strategy, Business Management, Training, Management, Business, Strategy, Human Capital Strategy, Quality Control (QC), Digital Transformation, Customer Experience, Project Management, Operations, Supply Chain, Business Development, Brand Identity, Branding, Lean Six Sigma, Pricing, Chief Operations Officer (COO), Business Operations, Growth Strategy, COO, Financial Modeling, Organizational Design, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Market Research, Market Segmentation, Operational Excellence, Business Process Flow (BPF), Business Process Management (BPM)
Production Engineering Leader
2003 - 2005
Baxter International
- Spearheaded high-volume production lines overseeing 140 employees, optimizing efficiency.
- Ensured compliance with FDA regulations for medical device manufacturing.
- Engineered resource optimization initiatives, driving production output, machine performance, and ergonomic improvements.
- Orchestrated the successful implementation of process enhancements, including robotic integration.
- Gained distinction for contributing to the recognition of the best production line during the initial semester of 2004.
Focus areas: Change Management, Employee Communication, Projects, Production, Quality Control (QC), Process Mapping, Asset Quality Review, Operations, Lean Six Sigma, Operational Excellence, Business Process Flow (BPF), Business Process Management (BPM), Industrial & Manufacturing
Inventory Management Analyst
2002 - 2003
Hanes Brands
- Oversaw the comprehensive supply chain process, optimizing product ordering, storing, and distribution.
- Orchestrated meticulous inventory control, employing analytical audits to ensure compliance and accuracy.
- Developed and implemented corrective measures to bridge discrepancies and enhance logistics efficiency.
- Spearheaded annual production inventory across diverse levels and plants, driving process optimization.
Focus areas: Inventory Management, Change Management, Continuous Improvement, Operations, Warehouse Management System (WMS), Operational Excellence, Business Process Flow (BPF), Industrial & Manufacturing
Strategic Communications and Quality Assurance Specialist
2001 - 2002
Sykes
- Crafted and executed effective communications strategies, fostering improved organizational network interactions.
- Managed internal communications, deploying memos, newsletters, and interactive communication boards.
- Pioneered the creation of the first internal company newspaper, fostering improved employee engagement.
- Conceptualized and implemented employee-centric spaces, enhancing breaks and relaxation environments.
- Led the execution of an employee satisfaction program, enabling effective idea communication.
- Played a vital role in the COPC certification implementation team.
Focus areas: Change Management, Asset Quality Review, Communication, Quality Control (QC), Customer Experience, Operational Excellence, Business Process Flow (BPF)
Education
1996 - 1999
Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering
International University of the Americas - San Jose, Costa Rica
Certifications
JANUARY 2024 - PRESENT
Executive Coach
International Association of Professions Career College
MAY 2023 - PRESENT
Change Management Specialist
Management and Strategy Institute
AUGUST 2022 - PRESENT
Pricing Strategy
JULY 2022 - PRESENT
Six Sigma Foundations
JUNE 2022 - PRESENT
A3 Problem Solving for Continuous Improvement
JUNE 2022 - PRESENT
Scrum Master
TestDome
FEBRUARY 2022 - PRESENT
Remote Work Revolution for Everyone
Harvard University
JUNE 2021 - PRESENT
Storytelling in the Workplace
Rochester Institute of Technology
MAY 2020 - PRESENT
Strategic Management
Indian Institute of Management Bangalore
FEBRUARY 2009 - PRESENT
Managing a Restaurant
Musmanni
MARCH 2006 - PRESENT
Problem-solving and Decision Making
Kepner-Tregoe
MAY 2005 - PRESENT
Project Management
Kepner-Tregoe
NOVEMBER 2003 - PRESENT
Customs Procedures
PROCOMER
Collaboration That Works
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