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Makai, Operations Growth & Strategy Manager at Happy Returns by PayPal: Advize Career Interview
Makai, Happy Returns by PayPal's Operations Growth & Strategy Manager, offers a dynamic and exciting career path in the fast-paced world of reverse logistics.
The role demands strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills, leveraging data analysis to optimize return processing and improve employee experience.
A multifaceted day involves collaborating with various teams, managing third-party vendors, and utilizing Excel modeling to forecast growth.
While unexpected challenges, like vendor delays, require adaptability, the rewarding aspect is seeing immediate impact on streamlining operations.
The interview highlights the importance of a holistic approach, encompassing teamwork, analytical thinking, and a healthy work-life balance.
Entry-level opportunities exist in data analysis, providing a strong foundation for future growth in this field.
Makai's experience emphasizes the value of internships, networking, and actively seeking companies committed to diversity and inclusion.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Makai Cartman
Operations Growth & Strategy Manager
Happy Returns by PayPal
MIT 2015
UCLA Anderson MBA
Engineering - Mechanical
Operations
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member
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Main Responsibilities of an Operations Growth and Strategy Manager at Happy Returns
Makai, Happy Returns' Operations Growth & Strategy Manager, focuses on optimizing the company's return processing operations, "making that experience faster and easier for employees." This involves capacity planning, forecasting return volume, and exploring solutions like "additional product features" or "third party vendors and contractors" to improve efficiency and scale operations.
A Day in the Life of an Operations Growth and Strategy Manager at Happy Returns by PayPal
A day for Makai as Operations Growth & Strategy Manager at Happy Returns by PayPal "can vary pretty drastically," involving tasks such as overseeing third-party contractors, projecting return growth using Excel modeling, and coordinating with internal teams (operations, software, marketing) to ensure smooth product launches and effective marketing strategies. This multifaceted role highlights the importance of collaboration and strategic planning within a rapidly growing company.
Most Important Skills for an Operations Growth and Strategy Manager at Happy Returns by PayPal
Makai, an Operations Growth & Strategy Manager, emphasizes communication as "the biggest one," necessitated by constant interaction with diverse stakeholders. This, coupled with strong organizational skills for managing multiple projects and analytical abilities for interpreting data and modeling future growth, forms the core skillset for success in their role.
Favorite Parts Of Being An Operations Growth And Strategy Manager At Happy Returns By PayPal
Makai enjoys the fast pace and quick turnaround of their current role at Happy Returns, a stark contrast to their previous aerospace work where projects took years to see results. The most rewarding aspect is seeing "how much I'm making lives easier for the employees," by streamlining operations and making their work simpler and faster.
Biggest Challenges Faced by an Operations Growth and Strategy Manager at Happy Returns
Makai's biggest challenge as Operations Growth & Strategy Manager is adapting to unexpected changes, such as a third-party vendor delaying equipment delivery by two months. This requires proactive contingency planning and the ability to "react" and "adjust" on the fly, making the role dynamic and exciting.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Logistics Industry as an Operations Growth and Strategy Manager
Makai, an Operations Growth & Strategy Manager, enjoys the "behind the scenes" view of systems and processes, particularly within return logistics, finding it "really cool and exciting" to understand and improve how consumer returns work. Their engineering background and ability to identify and solve inefficiencies are key to their role, allowing them to "make things better and make things faster."
What Type of Person Thrives in the Operations Industry, According to an Operations Growth and Strategy Manager at Happy Returns by PayPal
Makai, a Operations Growth & Strategy Manager, highlights that individuals who "like efficiency" and possess "an analytical mindset" thrive in the reverse logistics industry. This translates to a strong ability to view processes "as a system," understanding inputs and outputs logically, and applying this organized approach to both daily life and work.
What an Operations Growth Manager at Happy Returns wishes they had known before entering the Operations industry
Makai, a Operations Growth & Strategy Manager, learned that the role is "one step removed" from daily operations, focusing instead on future growth and capacity increases. This involves acting as a "middleman," collaborating with various teams—operations, third-party vendors, and internal software—to support operations without directly managing day-to-day tasks.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Operations Analysts
Entry-level positions in operations growth and strategy are often general, with some companies even assigning roles after hiring, as Makai experienced. Data analyst roles are a strong entry point, requiring strong analytical skills to "create stories from that data" and drive operational improvements.
Significant Career Lesson From An Operations Growth And Strategy Manager At Happy Returns By PayPal
Makai's most significant career lesson, learned especially during the pandemic, is the importance of "balance," countering the pressure to work longer hours by prioritizing self-care through breaks, time off, and healthy habits. This involved actively scheduling time for personal well-being, remembering that "the work is always going to be there," and prioritizing oneself alongside professional tasks.
College Experiences That Helped an Operations Growth and Strategy Manager at Happy Returns by PayPal Succeed
Makai's MIT fraternity leadership roles fostered "holistic thinking" and teamwork skills, crucial for their current Operations Growth & Strategy Manager role. Further, internships and networking with alumni provided valuable real-world experience and insights into various industries, complementing academic coursework.
How Identity Has Influenced An Operations Growth And Strategy Manager At Happy Returns By PayPal's Career
Early in the career, identity was less of a factor in job selection; however, as the career progressed, a heightened awareness of a company's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion became crucial, including reviewing "employee resource groups, demographic breakdowns, volunteer work, and public statements." The professional also noted the importance of feeling comfortable speaking up and sharing opinions, finding a company that allowed for this to occur without feeling "silenced."
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