Project Management Process Improvement

NIKHOLAS FERNANDEZ

Colorado Springs, CO

520-***-**** *****************@*****.***

PROJECT MANAGEMENT BUSINESS ACUMEN

Project Management Professional and Military Veteran with over 10 years of experience as a dynamic leader and manager, adept at executing complex missions, projects, and programs. Skilled in optimizing personnel and resource allocation to meet both internal and external objectives. Bringing a comprehensive background in operations management, program analysis, logistics, strategic planning, process improvement, resource management, and cross-functional leadership cultivated through managing maintenance operations in the United States Army. Proven ability to combine vision, strategic thinking, and business acumen with advanced project management and leadership expertise to drive organizational success. Accomplished in problem-solving, team development, and fostering organizational growth. Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Management, with certifications and operational experience supporting continued professional development and success.

Customer Service

Quality Control/Assurance

Risk Management

Process Improvement

Operations Management

Installation & Repair

Lean Processes

Organization/Communication

Safety / OSHA

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Akima – Colorado Springs, CO July 2024-Present Current

Lead

Trained, mentored, and supported Agile teams, conducting performance reviews, providing actionable feedback, and coaching to address areas of improvement, resulting in high-performing and collaborative teams.

Facilitated conflict resolution and addressed team concerns, promoting a positive and productive team environment while escalating complex matters to stakeholders or leadership as necessary.

Maintained meticulous records of team activities and sprint outcomes, ensuring transparency in task tracking, resource allocation, and backlog management for improved operational oversight.

Developed and implemented training programs to align team members with Agile methodologies, sprint planning, and performance enhancement strategies, leading to measurable process improvements.

Conducted evaluations of tools and workflows, identifying areas for improvement and implementing solutions to align with organizational standards, resulting in increased team efficiency and project quality.

Akima – Colorado Springs, CO Aug 2023 – July 2024

Material Coordinator

Successfully facilitated over 200 Agile projects, ensuring delivery on time and within budget while maintaining alignment with sprint goals and client expectations.

Optimized team resource allocation by ensuring effective utilization of personnel, tools, and materials, resulting in streamlined workflows and cost savings.

Enhanced team efficiency by 20% through continuous improvement initiatives, such as refining processes during retrospectives and implementing feedback loops.

Fostered effective communication within cross-functional teams by facilitating daily standups, sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives, ensuring clear understanding of priorities and progress.

Continues…

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Mike Maroone Automotive – Colorado Springs, CO May 2022 – Aug 2023

Reconditioning Manager

Coordinated the reconditioning phase of the overall used vehicle supply chain with the buyer team and the retail team

Utilized technical knowledge to ascertain issues and provide swift, successful resolutions

Planned and executed delivery routing, team workflows, and promotional initiatives

Managed sublet work relationships, holding vendors accountable for on-time delivery at negotiated rates

Forecasted goals and objectives for the department/individuals, and strived to meet them as a team leader

Assumed ownership of high-quality reconditioning standards that minimized comebacks; conducted periodic spot checks of completed jobs for thoroughness and quality

United States Army – Various Locations Sept 2021 – May 2022

Project Manager

Coordinated the efforts of 8 cross-functional teams comprising 55 employees, providing clear guidance and motivational leadership to achieve sprint goals and project objectives.

Facilitated Agile ceremonies and stakeholder meetings, enabling timely decision-making and fostering collaboration to drive process improvements across all levels.

Tracked sprint progress and team performance, recording metrics like task completion, resource allocation, and budget utilization, which informed performance reports and implemented corrective actions, leading to a 15% improvement in process efficiency.

Planned and managed daily operations and task prioritization, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and the successful delivery of project deliverables.

Evaluated and optimized Agile processes for resource management and equipment maintenance, supporting both immediate sprint requirements and long-term strategic initiatives.

Oversaw complex international projects involving 5 teams across 4 European countries, coordinating milestone planning, budget development, and risk management for high-stakes deployments.

United States Army Aug 2020 – Sept 2021 Assistant Project Manager

Applied Agile project management principles to creatively resolve a wide range of challenges, ensuring smooth project execution and stakeholder satisfaction.

Assisted in managing over 10 DoD Agile projects annually, overseeing budgets ranging from $3M and coordinating a cross-functional team of 47+ employees to meet project objectives.

Spearheaded the implementation of virtual learning platforms in response to COVID-19, leveraging digital tools to ensure continuous employee training and development.

Conducted detailed business analysis of underperforming product lines, leading to data-driven adjustments in market strategies and streamlined product offerings aligned with customer needs.

Supported operational planning efforts by advising the Project Manager, resulting in the successful and timely completion of 121 vehicle service tasks under compressed deadlines.

United States Army Nov 2018 – Aug 2020 Assistant Manager

Coordinated schedules, workflows, and sprint planning for over 3 Agile teams with 7 members each, effectively managing a $7M budget to meet evolving business demands.

Oversaw and facilitated 8 Agile projects within a one-year period, managing budgets of $1.1M+ and leading 3 separate cross-functional teams to successful delivery.

Facilitated workshops and team development programs, applying Agile project management principles to guide teams through all project stages, from initiation and sprint planning to monitoring and release.

Collaborated with team members, vendors, and stakeholders to ensure seamless coordination of tasks, timely risk mitigation, and continuous delivery of value.

Conducted ongoing analysis to provide operational and technical insights, offering actionable guidance to senior leadership, team members, and external stakeholders to achieve organizational goals.

Continues…

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United States Army Nov 2015 – Nov 2018 Supervisor

Trained, mentored, and supported high-performing Agile teams, conducting regular performance reviews, providing constructive feedback, and coaching in areas needing improvement to foster continuous growth and development.

Facilitated conflict resolution and addressed team member concerns, ensuring smooth collaboration and escalating complex issues to higher authorities when necessary.

Maintained accurate tracking of team performance metrics, overseeing detailed documentation of sprint progress, backlog items, and team outputs to ensure transparency and alignment with Agile goals.

Implemented training programs to mentor team members on Agile practices, sprint processes, and performance improvement strategies, driving team efficiency and cohesion.

Evaluated tools, systems, and workflows to identify inefficiencies, recommend solutions, and ensure alignment with quality standards, resulting in improved organizational performance and streamlined processes.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Arts Management American Military University 2023

Master of Arts Business Administration Project Management Colorado Technical University 2024

Master of Science Management ISSO Colorado Technical University 2024

Project Management Professional PMP

Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) Six Sigma Global Institute

Certified Project Manager Essential Star 6 Sigma Global Academy

Google Data Analytics Google

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Tri-County Career Academy

The Agile Project Manager Star 6 Sigma Global Academy

Google IT Support Google

Agile Scrum Professional Star 6 Sigma Global Academy

Google Project Management Google

IBM Cybersecurity Analyst IBM

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Microsoft: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint

Google Workspace: Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, Meet & Chat

Google Drive: Docs, Sheets, Slides

Scaled Agile Frameworks: Scrum, Kanban, XP, Jira

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