Valeria N. Droz Cruz
Summary
Goal-driven strategic leader and decisive business professional, brings track record of success in start-up companies. Outstanding background managing multiple products from ideation to market launch and profitable monetization. Strong entrepreneurial spirit, open mind, and willingness to take on new challenges that require patience and perseverance.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Startup Founder
SeaMust LLC
05.2023 - Current
- Member of the SeaMust founding team, dedicated to crafting organic and health-conscious fruit beverages centered around sea moss
- Product research, team organization and planning
- Graduated from I-Corps, a standardized entrepreneurial training program, by Guayacán Group to test commercial potential and customer segments.
- Oversaw all aspects of operations including product development, marketing, sales, customer service and finance.
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive business plan to launch the company.
- Created and managed the company's financial budgeting, forecasting, and reporting systems.
- Examined and conducted market analysis to discover target market and demographic audience.
- Participated in small business training and development to increase company development and exposure.
Co-Founder
HUB (Human Urban Bicycle)
02.2023 - Current
- Founder and Project manager of the HUB founding team, an eco-conscious startup that won the Toyota Mobility Challenge, securing $25k in funding
- Developing an e-bicycle rental station powered by solar energy, reducing environmental impact, and a mobile app highlighting environmental benefits and nearby amenities.
Undergraduate Research for Honor Students
Polytechnic University of Puerto rico
08.2022 - 10.2023
- Conducted research to improve the efficiency of a Material Recovery Facility in Puerto Rico using Lean Six Sigma
- Identified projects to reduce downtime by 30%, resulting in approximately $97,630 in annual savings
- Project won Gold Category in QUEST Conference 2023
- Project presented in CLEIN México, 2023; sponsored by the SAFRA Grant.
Public Relations Intern
Syracuse University Green-PR
01.2023 - 06.2023
- Contributed to Syracuse University Green PR's environmental initiatives, including assisting the Solid Waste Association of America (SWANA) Caribbean Chapter in organizing the Manager of Landfill Operations (MOLO) training for forty-one managers to cultivate proper waste management standards in Puerto Rico’s landfills.
- Provided assistance to PR manager with scheduling and organizing events.
- Assisted PR manager with scheduling and organizing various events.
- Identified opportunities for publicity through creative campaigns or initiatives.
Data analyst internship
Haleon
05.2022 - 07.2022
- Quality Assurance- Performed time studies and developed capacity and process analysis for the quality assurance record review areas
- Identified opportunities to increase record review capacity for all manufacturing/packaging processes
- Manufacturing Process- Developed a statistical analysis in the coating process to help identify actions to reduce broken tablets complaints.
Job Design and Work Measurement Field Project
Artifex Solutions
11.2021 - 02.2022
- Performed an analysis of the deburring process and work area
- Reduced processing time by 50% by the implementation of standard work and the reduction of non-value-added activities
- Improved the layout of the work area to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the workers
- Project presented in the Institute of Industrial and System Engineers (IISE) conference New Orleans, 2023.
Statistical Quality Control Field Project
Poskón
11.2021 - 02.2022
- Performed a statistical quality analysis of temperature, humidity, and waste in the manufacturing area
- Identified opportunities to reduce the humidity and temperature controls to reduce $22,292 in yearly waste
- Project won silver in QUEST Conference 2022, presented in CLEIN conference Cuba 2022, and in the IISE conference New Orleans 2023.
- Conducted research to test and analyze feasibility, design, operation and performance of equipment, components, and systems.
Statistics for Engineers Field Project
L.S. Tire Center
08.2021 - 10.2021
- Statistical analysis to improve the check-out service
- Designed standard work to improve the check-out service time
- Findings resulted in an average check-out time reduction of 39%
- Project presented in the IISE conference Seattle, 2022.
Education
Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering -
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico
07.2024
Certification
- Certified Six Sigma Green Belt
- Certified 5S Lean Methodology
Skills
- Fluent Bilingual: English and Spanish
- Conference Speaker
- Production Schedules
- Project Management
- Waste Reduction
- Product Development
- Value Stream Mapping
- Process Improvement
- Proficient With Microsoft Office
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Quality Assurance
- Proficient With Minitab
Extracurricular Activities
2022-present, University Student Council, Industrial Engineering representative, Represented students' interests and concerns as a student council representative. Developed communication, leadership, and teamwork skills while organizing events and initiatives that support academic and professional development in the PUPR student community.
2023, Solid waste association of north america, Young Professional liaison, Young Professional Liaison at the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), responsible for enhancing communication and organizing events to support and educate young professionals in the waste management industry.
Accomplishments
- Gold Medal Project in QUEST Conference 2023
- Conference Speaker at Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) 2022-2024
- Conference Speaker at Latin American Congress of Industrial and Related Engineers (CLEIN) 2022-2023
Languages
Spanish
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Startup Founder
SeaMust LLC
05.2023 - Current
Co-Founder
HUB (Human Urban Bicycle)
02.2023 - Current
Public Relations Intern
Syracuse University Green-PR
01.2023 - 06.2023
Undergraduate Research for Honor Students
Polytechnic University of Puerto rico
08.2022 - 10.2023
Data analyst internship
Haleon
05.2022 - 07.2022
Job Design and Work Measurement Field Project
Artifex Solutions
11.2021 - 02.2022
Statistical Quality Control Field Project
Poskón
11.2021 - 02.2022
Statistics for Engineers Field Project
L.S. Tire Center
08.2021 - 10.2021
Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering -
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico