Product Manager / Commercial Lead

Location:	Johannesburg
Reference:	#CAW005925/NT
Company:	SydSen Recruit

The product manager's primary goal is to enhance user and customer engagement, efficiency, and satisfaction by translating user needs into business opportunities and solutions. A true product manager understands user pain points and maintains an entrepreneurial, customer-first mindset. Key questions are continuously asked: What makes users' lives easier? What solutions are available?

The product manager plays a central role in managing teams, both Support and Consulting, ensuring progress towards an excellent final product while keeping both external and internal stakeholders aligned. The aim is to save time and money, enabling customers to serve their clients more effectively. This involves a deep understanding of existing customer processes, discussing alternatives with users, and securing stakeholder buy-in. The ideal candidate will ensure customer satisfaction and retention through excellent support and fostering strong, long-term relationships.

Responsibilities:

Commercial strategy:

• Evaluate the product's impact on customers' business operations.
• Develop and implement commercial strategies aligned with the company's growth objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve the customer experience and deliver business value.
• Explore new business opportunities to drive revenue growth, including new product lines and expanding existing offerings.
• Identify cross-selling and up-selling opportunities.

Customer relationships:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders.
• Organise and participate in customer events, webinars, and conferences.
• Gather and analyse customer feedback to identify areas for improvement and communicate insights to relevant teams.
• Collaborate with staff and external third parties to develop system test cases from usage scenarios.

Stakeholder experience:

• Effectively communicate product vision, progress, and outcomes to stakeholders at all levels.
• Act as the key point of contact for stakeholders, keeping them informed about product updates and progress.
• Ensure compliance with relevant policies, regulations, and security standards for digital products and solutions.

Product analysis:

• Participate in collaborative requirements workshops with stakeholders.
• Develop usage scenarios and use cases to demonstrate product value.
• Resolve conflicts between stakeholder requirements and decide on the best path forward.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success.
• Provide training and resources to help customers maximise product value.
• Make decisions on proposed requirements and changes using a commercial mindset.

Change and project management:

• Define implementation priorities with the project manager.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality products on time.
• Align product delivery with the company's commercial strategies.

Continuous improvement:

• Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in digital product management.
• Explore innovative ideas and seek feedback to improve the digital journey.

Team leadership:

• Manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering accountability and continuous improvement.
• Set performance metrics, monitor KPIs, and ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Optimise resource allocation to meet business needs and maximise efficiency.
• Manage the budget effectively.

Inherent requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; advanced degrees or certifications are beneficial.
• Proven experience (typically five or more years) as a product manager or in business consulting, preferably in the digital space.
• Experience scaling digital offerings to grow revenue, particularly in the motor industry, is advantageous.
• Customer solutions-focused mindset with a strong passion for delivering customer service and identifying opportunities.
• Demonstrable track record in business consulting, understanding business needs, and developing solutions.
• Excellent people and communication skills.
• Proven track record of engaging and achieving results in a UK-based business.
• Accountability-focused, results-driven management style.
• Good organisational skills, agility, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven commitment to the company’s values.
• Willingness and ability to travel and deliver at customers' premises.
• Flexibility and adaptability to handle changes day-to-day or week-to-week.
• Project management mindset with a proven understanding of a projected environment and/or a PMO.

Posted on 25 Sep 08:36, Closing date 30 Sep