Maria Belen Rojas Acosta

Experience

• 

  Universidad de Costa Rica

  Dec 2010 - Dec 2012

  I had the responsability to lead the classes for the Laboratories of General Chemistry I and II. the groups were up to 25 students. Leader in the development of the project: “Desarrollo de un estudio técnico-económico para la valoración del desecho de la industria procesadora de piña nacional en la producción de L (+) ácido láctico y xilitol” (Development of a technical-economic study to assess the waste of the national pineapple processing industry in the production of L (+) lactic acid and xylitol).

  • Assistant to lead the courses: Laboratory of General Chemistry I and II.

    Mar 2011 - Dec 2012

  • Undergraduate Student Researcher

    Dec 2010 - Dec 2012
• 

  Sensient Technologies Corporation

  Jul 2013 - Dec 2013

  Food Applications Assistant (Flavors)

  Reasearch and development in dry mixes flavor application-Development and application of savory, seasonings and sweet flavors, in different food matrixes.-Flavors development according to the consumer's expectations. Service in a joint marketing effort with other companies. -Technical support to Sales department.

• 

  Mondelēz International

  Dec 2013 - Dec 2020

  Lead and execute innovation and improvement projects to strength the core or to support the business to ensure the continuous production and the consumer preference versus main competitors for Mondelēz top brands Oreo and belVita in European markets. Secure agreements and collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders, and lead the development and deployment of challenging innovation and line transfers projects. Lead and execute productivity projects in biscuit category for European markets. Secure the competitive advantage, the product quality, production KPIs and the consumer expectations. Secure agreements and collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders. Research and development for dry mixes category: powder beverages and meals for WACAM region (Western Andean, Caribbean and Central America). Design and develop products & processes for small to medium size projects, in order to deliver the business goals in relation with margin management, line extensions, quality improvement and brand quality maintenance.

  • Senior R&D Global Growth Biscuits (Oreo&Belvita).

    Nov 2017 - Dec 2020

  • R&D Engineer II Margin Management Biscuits.

    Apr 2016 - Nov 2017

  • R&D Scientist Powder Beverages and Dry Mixes

    Dec 2013 - Apr 2016
• 

  AUGE-UCR

  Feb 2021 - now

  Mentor/Advisor Food Technology & Agribusiness

  Mentor/Advisor for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Food Technology and Agribusiness. I am advisor for entrepreneurs in Auge. I serve on a voluntary basis.

• 

  Rocket Innovation

  Feb 2021 - Jan 2023

  Senior Innovation Consultant

  Responsible of leading and facilitating trainings for Costa Rican companies, according to their innovation and improvement needs with the application of methodologies like Design Sprint, Scrum, and other Agile tools. (Out of the scope: Medical sector)

• 

  Boston Scientific

  Jun 2021 - now

  • Develop, execute, and lead project teams to successfully deliver products/solutions to the business• Provide input to resource needs and prioritization• Ensure timely completion of activities ensuring policies and practices are followed and accurate documentation is kept• Effectively lead team ensuring good cross-functional and cross-divisional communications and providing input to functional managers on team and team member performance• Identify, communicate, and manage project risksType of projects: Product Sustaining, Product Integration from Acquisitions, B2B, Compliance, Productivity. Show less -Project manager for Sustaining projects (accessories and drug-loading products manufactured in Ireland), and for Commercial and Global Projects in Boston Scientific.-Responsible to develop teams from multiple locations and lead them toward the business priorities while the product is being Integrated (Acquisitions).-Lead project review sessions to discuss and align cost, schedule, risks, resources, and project timeline.-Make sure that the products are compliant with all external regulations for the approval of the change BTG-BSC, and for the European requirements such as EU MDR.Besides my role, I am co-lead of the Boston Scientific ERG LEAD (Leadership, Education, Allies for Disabilities). S in ESG. Show less

  • Principal Project Manager

    Sept 2023 - now

  • Senior Project Lead (PM)

    Jun 2021 - Sept 2023