I focus on working smarter, not harder, through Operational Excellence and Lean thinking.
I enjoy turning complex challenges into simple, structured ways of working that align with strategic goals.
For me, continuous improvement isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about making real progress feel achievable, sustainable, and worthwhile.
Charleen Newland
Email:
About me
Work Experience
Tesla BV - Quality Engineering Specialist - EMEA Technical Operations
2025 - present
Leading data-driven analysis of vehicle quality and reliability to identify trends and drive improvements.
Collaborating with engineering, factory, and service teams on root cause analyses to implement impactful solutions.
Applying data tools and Six Sigma methodologies to improve product reliability and operational performance.
Tesla BV - Warranty Operations & Project Management Lead - EMEA Field Quality & Compliance
2024 - 2025
Oversaw Tesla's European warranty policy, driving improvements and efficiency in warranty and compliance processes.
Collaborated across teams to streamline systems and monitored key metrics, ensuring operational excellence.
Tesla BV - Business Planning & Business Performance Management
2021 - 2024
Proposed and performed relevant data analyses to support performance management and planning workstreams.
Analyzed key performance indicators and provided strategic insights and conclusions, resulting in operational efficiencies, cost reductions, and revenue opportunities.
PPG Industries - Lead Specialist in Business Process Improvement and Optimization |
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
2019 - 2021
Led strategic cross-functional projects, delivered operational excellence across the organization.
Coordinated the adoption of quality standards in coordination with relevant departments.
Identified and delivered process improvements through Lean Six Sigma techniques, innovative thinking, and improvement methodologies.
Developed key performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of the Operational Excellence efforts.
Aram Project Management BV - Project Management Consultant
2017 - 2018
Managed multiple projects in Primavera and/or Microsoft Project at determined intervals to ensure that tasks were completed on time and within budget.
Managed project schedules, tasks, progress meetings and timely distribution of progress reports.
Surinam Airways - Manager Production Planning, Control and Records
2014 - 2016
Managed the department responsible for the forecasting, planning, and control of all aircraft maintenance activities.
Managed and monitored a wide variety of aircraft maintenance projects. Promoted and coordinated interaction with cross-functional teams to reach company goals.
Managed and monitored a wide variety of aircraft maintenance projects. Promoted and coordinated interaction with cross-functional teams to reach company goals.
Surinam Airways - Aircraft Maintenance Project Engineer
2011 - 2014
Planned and scheduled all project activities, and interfaced between both stakeholders,
third party providers and suppliers abroad.
Ensured adherence to the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airworthiness Directives and manufacturers' Service Bulletins.
Blog posts
July 2023 ~ What are the reasons for Process Improvement failures?
Learning from mistakes: Reasons behind improvement project failures.
Aug 2023 ~ Unlocking the Potential of an Operational Excellence Maturity Model.
Part I. Understanding the Basics: Continuous Improvement.
Sep 2023 ~ Unlocking the Potential of an Operational Excellence Maturity Model.
Part II. Understanding the Basics: Driving Operational Excellence.
Oct-Nov 2023 ~ Unlocking the Potential of an Operational Excellence Maturity Model.
Part III. Achieving Operational Excellence: A Step-by-Step Approach to Maturity.
Dec 2023 ~ Deck the Halls of Efficiency: A Visual Management Wonderland for Seamless Communication. Visual Management's Gift to Organizational Communication.
Deck the Halls of Efficiency: A Visual Management Wonderland for Seamless Communication.
Jan 2024 ~ Embracing Kaizen Part I.: Your Guide to Planning and Executing Successful Process Improvement Workshops. Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement - Teams, Goals, and Gemba Walks
Part I. Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement - Teams, Goals, and Gemba Walks.
Feb 2024 ~ Embracing Kaizen Part II. : Your Guide to Planning and Executing Successful Process Improvement Workshops. Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement - Value Stream Mapping
Part II. Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement - Value Stream Mapping.
Mar 2024 ~ Embracing Kaizen Part III. : Your Guide to Planning and Executing Successful Process Improvement Workshops. Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement - Root Cause Analysis
Part III. Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement - Root Cause Analysis.
Projects
CI Pulse – Continuous Improvement Maturity Model
The CI Pulse is a simple and effective Excel tool designed to assess Continuous Improvement maturity across teams.
The name captures its intent: taking the “pulse” of CI efforts to check whether improvement is active, consistent, and healthy in day-to-day operations.
It helps teams visualize progress, identify gaps, and focus their efforts where it matters most.
Ideal for teams seeking a structured, practical way to advance their CI journey.
Note: This Excel file contains macros. For best functionality, please enable macros and read the disclaimer
included in the document.
Education
Master of Business Administration in Innovation and Technology, TSM Business School
2015
Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnic College Suriname
2013
Certificates
IATA Airline Auditor
2014