Melanie lives in Croxley in England and joined SciLeads last August as Head of Product. We caught up with Melanie to hear more about her life at SciLeads and her role in the product team.
What does a typical day look like as Head of Product at SciLeads?
It was the opportunity to join a company at the start of its growth journey, where I could bring my experience from working at a large multinational to help drive impactful change. I was particularly drawn to the leadership, which makes decisions with a strong focus on advocating for the user. The company’s agility and ability to pivot quickly also stood out to me. What keeps me here, however, is the team. I have the privilege of working with some of the smartest and most dedicated people I’ve encountered, and we all share a common goal: to create products that genuinely serve our customers. It’s a place where putting the customer at the centre of everything we do isn’t just a slogan – it’s a core value.
What’s one product development you’re especially proud of since joining SciLeads?
I’m really excited about some of the initiatives we have in the pipeline. One area we’ve been focusing on is integrating SciLeads seamlessly into our customers’ workflows. We’re about to launch the first iteration of our Data Enrichment feature, which is designed to enhance customer and prospect data with valuable insights and details. This bulk enrichment capability streamlines the process, saving time and improving efficiency. By gaining accurate, enriched data, users can better understand their leads, segment their audience effectively, and personalize outreach efforts and ultimately drive better results for their sales and marketing efforts.
What advice would you give someone wanting to get into product management at a startup like SciLeads?
My advice would be to focus on developing a deep understanding of both the user and the business. Startups require product managers to wear multiple hats, to be adaptable, resourceful and willing to learn. It’s important to be hands-on, not afraid to roll up your sleeves and understand the end-to-end product development process from gathering user feedback to working closely with engineering and design teams to deliver solutions. Lastly, you need to embrace the challenge of solving real problems for your users, as the best products are built by truly understanding their needs. If you approach it with curiosity, passion and a user-first mindset, you’ll be well on your way to succeeding in product management at a startup like SciLeads.
Do you have a favourite productivity hack or tool?
The one productivity technique that has been incredibly effective for me is the Pomodoro Technique. It’s a simple yet powerful method that breaks work into 25-minute focussed intervals, followed by short breaks. This structured approach helps me maintain high levels of concentration and combats analysis paralysis! I always have the timer beside me on my desk. It’s a tool that encourages deep work while ensuring you don’t lose energy or creativity over long periods.
How do you balance user needs with business goals when making product decisions?
I believe that putting users at the heart of Product Management is essential. The best way to achieve long-term business success is by building products that genuinely solve real problems for customers. If we focus on understanding our users deeply – through research, feedback, and constant iteration – we can design solutions that truly meet their needs. When users feel that a product is valuable and addresses their pain points, they’re more likely to engage with it and become loyal customers. This, in turn, drives business growth and success. So, by prioritizing the user experience and delivering meaningful value, we naturally align the product with business goals in a way that is both sustainable and impactful.
How has the flexible work environment at SciLeads helped you?
First and foremost, it eliminated a 4-hour daily commute, which has allowed me to achieve a much better work-life balance. I now have more time to enjoy family dinners and even fit in a swim in the evenings. Additionally, the flexibility has allowed me to work from different locations, like Norway, where I’ve been able to take advantage of the midnight sun and enjoy late-night picnics on the beach in the summer.
What’s one underrated feature in the SciLeads platform you think more users should explore and why?
One often overlooked feature of the SciLeads platform is its ability to provide detailed insights into purchases made by organizations such as the NIH, universities, and hospitals across various countries. By sourcing this data SciLeads allows users to identify organizations that are actively acquiring products or services like theirs. This feature helps users track procurement trends, monitor competitor activities, and gain valuable insights into pricing strategies and discounting practices for competitor products.
SciLeads is continuing to grow and expand its workforce globally. If you want to join one of the country’s fastest-growing tech companies, then check out our available roles here.