TMcD Project Management About Us

Tessa McDonald

Tessa McDonald has over 30 years' experience managing all types of projects for major fast moving consumer goods companies, including product launches, website implementations, supply chain and IT projects. She has a demonstrated ability to operate at all levels within a company and hands-on experience across a range of functions including Marketing, Procurement and IT. Tessa is recognised for her attention to detail and focus on completion. She enjoys the interaction of different parts of organisation to achieve an objective and in particular, the planning required for successful implementation.

WORK EXPERIENCE

TMcD Project Management Limited 2009 - Present

Since starting TMcD Project Management Limited, Tessa has managed the following projects:

PRODUCT LAUNCHES

Management of three product launches for new consumer healthcare company

Development of project plans for two Rx to OTC switches

Planning of multiple aspects of European relaunch of consumer brand

Development and execution of specific project plans for a Pharmaceuticals division

Rollout of a cancer drug in international markets for Pharmaceutical company

ARTWORK CHANGES

Management of global brand artwork relaunch

Artwork changes for 600 sku site transfer (3 brands)

Artwork, print and production for major European Consumer Healthcare launch

METHODOLOGY / PMO DEVELOPMENT

Consultancy on set up of Project Management Office at major Retail company

Development of branded project management templates for consulting company

Development of a project methodology within Financial Services

TRAINING

Project Management training for two marketing teams approaching critical short time-line launches

Project Management training for a regulatory services company

Project Management training for a small natural health products company

Remote training and coaching of a project manager of digital projects for Pharmaceuticals

Provision of training to Pharmaceuticals employees

MERGERS/INTEGRATIONS

Regional risk management for major consumer healthcare integration

Development of plan and management of project for integration of product business from pharmaceutical to consumer healthcare company

OTHER

Status definition and planning against targets for large metropolitan local authority

Volunteer ("Games Maker") at London 2012 Olympics

Development of plan for marketing material development for global pharmaceutical company

Two-phase New Year Campaign for Consumer Healthcare brand

Three short (3-4) day consultancy projects to Consumer Healthcare covering management reporting, team working and outline project planning

GlaxoSmithKline (World Supply Organisation, Consumer Healthcare UK & Europe) 1997-2009

Over a 12 year career with GlaxoSmithKline, Tessa managed a number of projects, most noteably:

2007-9: simultaneous launch in 25 markets of alli, Europe's first non-prescription weight-loss aid
2006: 5 year strategy development for CH UK business
2005: Company turn-around project for CH UK business
2003-4: European Oral Care Innovation team research into new presentations for major branded products
1999-01: Brand management, cost reduction and efficiency implementation for European Committed Quitters programme (behavioural support for people quitting smoking)
1997-8: Negotiation of contract for packing of nicotine patches for European launch (NiQuitin)

Mars, Incorporated (ISI, Effem GmbH, Pedigree Petfoods) 1986-1997

Over a 10 year career with Mars, developed an understanding of project methodologies within IT and progressed from the role of business analyst to raw materials buyer.

1994-7: Dry Raw Materials Buyer, Pedigree Petfoods. Managed project to outsource manufacturing line.

1994: Dry Raw Materials Buyer, Effem GmbH Germany

1992-4: Led inbound pipeline system functional specification for European Petfoods operation

1986-91: various roles on projects within Mars Confectionery, Pedigree Petfoods and Effem GmbH

SKILLS

Tessa McDonald's key skills are centred in end-to-end project management, from initial agreement on objective and scope of project, through detailed planning to ongoing execution and review, finishing with close review of successes and learning points of project. Coupled with this, many years' experience in effective meeting management and as a facilitator enables more effective use of time and resources to achieve stated objectives.

In addition, Tessa's range of experience across different parts of varied organisations brings a breadth of understanding of how FMCG businesses operate and of where problems might lie, enabling early identification of potential risks to projects.

Tessa is also experienced in providing project management training to large groups of people from different countries and functions within organisations. Training has ranged from formal 3 day workshops to 1 hour specialised topics with small groups.

6 years' experience on UK and European Leadership Teams provides an understanding of the interaction of all areas of business as well as the behaviour and attitudes required to inspire teams to increased performance. 5 years' experience living in France and Germany and multiple multi-national project teams provide a breadth of cultural understanding. Tessa is fluent in French and German and has conversational Italian and Modern Greek.