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.
Project Management, Problem-Solving, Communication, Leadership, Adaptability
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
Video Highlights
1. The constant need to adapt and pivot project plans due to unexpected challenges and the fast-paced nature of the business.
2. The importance of quickly identifying solutions to problems and presenting compelling business cases to gain buy-in from various stakeholders.
3. The iterative and sometimes trial-and-error process of navigating multiple pivots and securing agreement from different teams to keep projects moving forward.
Transcript
What is your biggest challenge in your current role?
Pivoting is definitely something every project manager has to do. Every good project has some aspect where you might pivot slightly. Pivoting involves planning and understanding what the next step is.
If something happens and you can't go the route you originally thought of, it's important to find a solution in a timely manner. As I mentioned, we are a large, revenue-generating organization, so the business continues day-to-day.
The business is still going, it's not stopping because we're working on rebranding and re-platforming. It's about facing an issue and finding solutions quicker than usual.
You also need to get everyone on board with these solutions. This involves presenting your business case repeatedly to gain buy-in and move forward. Sometimes, this requires multiple different pivots and conversations.
Some things are a lot of trial and error, and some days just go better than others. That's the biggest challenge in my role: figuring out how many different "choose your own adventures" I need to come up with.
It's about how many people I have to pitch it to and how to get the plan going and the buy-in in the fastest manner possible.
Advizer Personal Links
linkedin.com/in/melissa-murray-pmp-342b0481