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Melissa, Senior Project Manager at eCommerce Leader in Health and Wellness Supplements: Advize Career Interview
A senior project manager at a leading health and wellness eCommerce company shares a fascinating career journey, starting in banking and traversing publishing and healthcare before landing in the fast-paced supplement industry.
This individual's path highlights the value of strategic career pivots, continuous professional development (including PMP certification), and adaptability in the face of unexpected challenges.
The interview reveals the importance of patience, strong communication, and empathy in a senior project management role, along with the rewards of building a strong team and achieving impactful results.
A key takeaway emphasizes knowing one's worth and advocating for oneself, alongside the significance of undergraduate training in developing crucial organizational and time-management skills.
The interview also sheds light on navigating gender-based pay inequities, offering valuable insights for aspiring professionals in the health and wellness industry, particularly those considering entry-level coordinator roles as a pathway to project management.
The emphasis on contributing to consumer well-being and creating top-market products adds to the inspiring narrative of a successful and impactful career.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Melissa Murray
Senior Project Manager
eCommerce Leader in Health and Wellness Supplements
San Diego State University
NA
Classics, Spanish Literature
Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
Operations and Project Management
Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student
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Career Path Of A Senior Project Manager At An eCommerce Supplement Company
Melissa's career path is "a little bit different," starting with banking, where early success led to a pivot back to school to complete a degree in English Literature. This led to roles in publishing and healthcare, ultimately culminating in their current position as a Senior Project Manager in the e-commerce supplement industry, a journey marked by varied sectors and the strategic acquisition of a PMP credential, showcasing a commitment to professional development and showcasing that "I know my stuff when it comes to project management."
Main Responsibilities Of A Senior Project Manager At An eCommerce Health And Wellness Supplement Company
Melissa's senior project manager role at a rapidly growing health and wellness supplement company involves strategic planning with executive leadership, "where do you want our company to go in the next three years, in the next five years?", and translating that vision into actionable yearly objectives, including a major rebranding and re-platforming initiative to Shopify. This work also encompasses building the company's operational infrastructure and managing day-to-day operations alongside these large-scale projects, which Melissa refers to as "keeping the plates spinning."
A Day In The Life Of A Senior Project Manager At An eCommerce Supplement Company
A senior project manager's day involves significant "firefighting and roadblock clearing," adapting constantly to unexpected challenges while simultaneously supporting staff through change and growth; this role requires a solution-focused approach, "being a cheerleader" and ensuring everyone feels valued to achieve overall organizational success.
Most Important Skills For A Senior Project Manager At A Health And Wellness eCommerce Company
A senior project manager at a health and wellness eCommerce leader revealed that patience is "the top skill," even though it's a personal challenge, highlighting the need for adaptability amidst unexpected project derailments. The role also demands high organization, empathy for team members ("trying to meet where they're at"), extroverted communication skills for relationship building and presentations, and a willingness to "pivot" when plans change.
Favorite Parts of Being a Senior Project Manager for eCommerce Health
Melissa's favorite aspect of her Senior Project Manager role at a health and wellness eCommerce leader is "the people element"—a strong team where everyone gets along. The successful completion of projects, even with challenges, and seeing "the end result" are also key sources of job satisfaction.
Biggest Challenges Faced By a Senior Project Manager in eCommerce Supplements
Melissa's biggest challenge as a Senior Project Manager involves "pivoting and planning," adapting quickly to unexpected issues within a large, constantly operating organization. This requires efficient problem-solving, securing buy-in from multiple stakeholders through repeated presentations, and navigating a process that is often "trial and error," demanding a flexible approach to project management.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Health And Wellness Industry As A Senior Project Manager
Melissa, a Senior Project Manager in the health and wellness supplement industry, finds the most rewarding aspect of her work is "helping people," particularly through the positive impact of the company's products, as evidenced by customer testimonials. This passion for contributing to others' well-being aligns with her past experience in both for-profit and non-profit sectors, demonstrating a consistent career focus on positive societal impact.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Supplement Industry According To A Senior Project Manager At A Leading Supplement Company
Melissa, a Senior Project Manager in the health and wellness supplement industry, describes thriving individuals as "innovators, drivers" who are "data-driven" and focus on creating top-market products with proven effectiveness, unlike competitors who prioritize celebrity endorsements over product quality. The industry's competitiveness necessitates strategic thinking and a genuine desire to improve consumer well-being, exemplified by a focus on addressing specific needs like "joint pain relief".
What a Senior Project Manager at an eCommerce Health and Wellness Company wishes they had known before entering the eCommerce industry
Melissa, a Senior Project Manager, learned that the health and wellness supplement industry is "fast-paced" and requires deep regulatory knowledge, while also highlighting the slower decision-making processes within large revenue-generating organizations, necessitating adaptability and a willingness to "pivot" frequently.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Project Managers
Melissa, a Senior Project Manager, suggests that entry-level "coordinator esque positions," such as marketing, product, or social media coordinator roles, offer valuable project management experience. These positions, requiring "keeping the needle moving forward" and "being good at planning," provide a strong foundation for a project management career.
Significant Career Lesson From A Senior Project Manager At A Leading eCommerce Company In Health And Wellness Supplements
Melissa, a senior project manager, emphasizes the crucial lesson of "know[ing] your worth," a realization that grew with career advancement. This involves recognizing one's value, setting boundaries, and advocating for oneself, ensuring a reciprocal relationship between employee and employer where support is present, while understanding that "it's just a job."
College Experiences That Helped a Senior Project Manager at an eCommerce Company Succeed
Melissa's undergraduate experience provided invaluable training in project management, teaching essential skills like "time management and scheduling," and identifying personal strengths and weaknesses through independent learning and group projects. This self-reliance and organizational experience, honed by the need to manage one's own academic success, directly translated into the planning and execution skills crucial for a successful career as a Senior Project Manager.
How Identity Has Influenced a Senior Project Manager's Career at a Health Supplements eCommerce Company
Melissa, a senior project manager, discovered a significant pay disparity between herself and a less-experienced male colleague, prompting a conversation with the CEO about "pay inequities that are going on between just the different genders." This experience, which resulted in a successful negotiation for higher pay than the male counterpart, marked a turning point where the professional began actively addressing gender-based inequalities in compensation and promotion.
Advizer Personal Links
linkedin.com/in/melissa-murray-pmp-342b0481
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