Agile Leadership in Action: Streamlining Processes at a Leading Global Consumer Goods Firm

The Client

Our client, a global, privately owned consumer products company, is headquartered in Virginia and is known for its leadership in the confectionery, pet care, and food industries. With a multi-billion-dollar portfolio and a significant market presence, the company is continuously focused on maintaining operational excellence while innovating in a competitive landscape.

As a consumer-focused company, they place significant value on driving efficiency and streamlining operations to meet the demands of both their internal teams and the external market. To ensure this, the company is always looking for ways to enhance their project management capabilities.

The Challenge

Our client needed an interim Agile Project Manager to support the Americas Commercial Supply Team. With an annual spend of around $2 billion and 150 ongoing projects spanning multiple indirect categories, the challenge was clear: the company needed someone who could integrate Agile methodologies to enhance efficiency, foster team collaboration, and remove project roadblocks.

The position required someone capable of leading a diverse, cross-functional team of 30+ members, focusing on improving workflows through the implementation of tools like Scrum and Power BI. With the growing complexity of projects and teams, there was an immediate need for a leader who could drive process optimization and cultivate a growth-oriented culture, all while working within a fast-paced, results-driven environment.

Role Overview

The interim Agile Project Manager would implement Agile practices to streamline processes, enhance project visibility, and optimize team performance. They would lead the development of visual management tools (including Scrum) and use Power BI for data-driven insights. This role required a project management professional with strong Agile experience, capable of adapting to evolving client needs. The manager would drive efficiency, foster team collaboration, and ensure projects were completed on time and within budget, while mentoring and coaching the team to achieve higher performance.

Qualifications and Candidate Background:

The ideal candidate needed to have a proven track record in managing large-scale projects, ideally in environments where Agile methodologies were at the core of the team’s operation. Specific qualifications included:

• Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and PMP.
• Proficient in Microsoft Power BI, PowerPoint, and Project for data analysis and project tracking.
• Experienced in Agile methodologies, using Scrum to manage cross-functional teams.
• Strong leadership skills, focused on mentoring, coaching, and collaboration.
• Experienced in program management for large, data-driven organizations requiring transparency.

Our Approach

Given the strategic nature of this role, we began by tapping into our network of senior-level project managers with expertise in Agile methodologies. We targeted professionals with a background in large-scale program management, particularly in industries where project complexity and cross-functional collaboration were paramount.

Our approach involved screening candidates based not only on technical skills and certifications but also on their ability to quickly adapt to a fast-paced, high-demand environment. The ideal candidate had to demonstrate the ability to balance competing priorities, solve problems in real-time, and motivate teams toward achieving project milestones.

We identified several strong candidates before focusing on one with a background well-aligned with the client’s needs.

The Placement

The selected candidate was a Certified Scrum Master with PMP certification and extensive experience managing large-scale projects in both the federal government and private sector. They specialized in operationalizing program management and improving transparency in complex environments. With a strong understanding of Agile principles and proficiency in Microsoft tools like Power BI, they were well-suited for the interim role. Their experience managing transformational projects in high-stakes environments, along with their ability to mentor teams and foster collaboration, made them a perfect fit for the Americas Commercial Supply Team.

The Outcome

The Agile Project Manager quickly integrated into the team, implementing Scrum practices and enhancing the team’s ability to manage workflows efficiently. In just a few weeks, they were able to identify bottlenecks in the project management processes and work with the team to eliminate them. Projects that once took longer to complete were now progressing more efficiently, and the team was more aligned than ever.