Product Manager

Roles and responsibilities

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic and Planning

• Recommend and develop the Products & Marketing functional strategy in line with business vision, mission, and corporate objectives.
• Ensure that the overall business strategy is translated into annual Products & Marketing operational business plans and the performance is monitored to ensure business plans are in line with the overall strategy.

Policy, Procedures, Process and Systems

Recommend & develop Product & Marketing functional policy, systems, processes, procedures, and controls covering all Product & Marketing functional areas in line with policies to ensure fulfilment of all relevant procedural/legislative requirements while delivering quality and cost-effective service in a consistent manner.

Compliance

Manage Products & Marketing compliance frameworks and programs within the Products & Marketing department, ensuring alignment with local and international laws, regulations, and industry standards.

B. Core Responsibilities:

Product and Performance Management

• Manage the Photocopiers and Calculators product portfolio within designated geographical territories.
• Recommend & develop product strategies that safeguard product lifecycle and secure a strategic market position, price positioning and by model profitability.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of market trends and pricing dynamics to uphold competitiveness and bolster profitability.
• Ensure that all products and marketing efforts comply with relevant industry regulations and standards.
• Assist in the strategic planning and execution of new product launches, ensuring successful market entry and sustained growth.
• Recommend, develop and maintain a product training program for both internal teams (sales, support) and external partners/dealers, ensuring that they are well-versed in product features, benefits, and applications.

Partner Management

• Work closely with partners to understand their needs and assist them in gaining a better share in the market.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with partners to ensure effective collaboration and communication.
• Provide guidance and support to partners on product positioning, pricing, and marketing strategies.

Marketing

• Collaborating seamlessly with cross-functional teams to meticulously devise and execute comprehensive marketing plans and dynamic campaigns.
• Mining market trends and unraveling customer insights to unearth promising growth opportunities and innovative pathways.
• Ensuring the seamless alignment and effective communication of marketing strategies with both the product and sales teams.

Budget Management

• Collaborate in setting internal and HQ related sales budget, by account, by fiscal, by model.
• Guide and motivate Sales Account Managers and Partners to ensure that overall sales budgets are met in alignment with internal guidelines and targets.
• Monitor and report on budget performance to ensure alignment with business objectives.

Performance Management

• Recommend & develop performance metrics to measure the effectiveness of product and marketing strategies.
• Monitor and report on performance metrics to ensure steadfast alignment with overarching business objectives.
• Use performance insights to inform continuous improvement and optimization of product and marketing strategies.

Market Expansion

• Explore opportunities for expanding product presence into new international markets and develop entry strategies.
• Present product and marketing strategies, performance updates, and future plans to the senior management team.
• Contribute to the development of the company's long-term strategic vision, ensuring alignment with product and marketing strategies.
• Identify potential risks and market challenges that may impact product performance and devise contingency plans to mitigate them.

Customer Relationship Management

• Develop and conduct product-focused training programs for the sales force to enhance their product expertise.
• Collaborate closely with the sales team to provide them with the necessary product knowledge, tools, and materials for effective selling.

C. Development Responsibilities:

Culture

• Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Create and foster a collaborative work environment within the Products and Marketing team.

Coaching and Mentoring

• Provide guidance, mentorship, and coaching to junior team members, assisting in their professional growth and skill development.
• Foster a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment within the team, encouraging continuous learning and improvement.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, Business Administration, Engineering, Management, or equivalent is required.
• Master’s degree in executive MBA, Engineering, Management or equivalent is preferred.
• Experience in the multi-functional printers is mandatory

Desired candidate profile

Product Strategy and Vision

1. Defining Product Vision

   • Creating a clear and compelling vision for the product that aligns with the company's goals and customer needs.
   • Communicating this vision to stakeholders and ensuring the product’s development aligns with long-term strategic goals.

2. Setting Product Strategy

   • Developing a strategic plan for the product, including market positioning, target audience, and competitive advantage.
   • Continuously evaluating and adjusting the product strategy based on market trends, customer feedback, and business objectives.

3. Product Roadmap Creation

   • Creating and maintaining a product roadmap that outlines the key features, milestones, and timelines for product development.
   • Prioritizing product initiatives based on customer impact, business value, and resource availability.

Market Research and Analysis

1. Conducting Market Research

   • Researching and analyzing market trends, customer needs, and competitor products.
   • Gathering insights to inform product decisions and identify market gaps or opportunities.

2. Customer Feedback and Validation

   • Engaging with customers to collect feedback through surveys, interviews, and usability testing.
   • Validating product ideas and features with real-world user feedback to ensure the product addresses customer pain points.

3. Competitor Analysis

   • Monitoring competitor products and features to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for differentiation.
   • Ensuring the product remains competitive in the market by adjusting the product’s offerings as needed.

Product Development and Execution

1. Collaborating with Cross-Functional Teams

   • Working closely with engineering, design, marketing, sales, and support teams to ensure seamless product development.
   • Ensuring all teams are aligned with the product vision, goals, and deadlines.

2. Feature Prioritization and Roadmap Management

   • Deciding which features to build and when, based on customer needs, business value, and technical feasibility.
   • Balancing short-term demands with long-term strategic goals and managing product backlogs.

3. Defining Product Requirements

   • Writing clear and detailed product requirements (e.g., user stories, functional specifications) to guide the development process.
   • Translating business goals into actionable tasks for the engineering and design teams.

4. Agile Methodology and Sprint Planning

   • Using Agile methodologies (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) to manage product development cycles.
   • Organizing and participating in sprint planning, daily standups, and reviews to ensure the team is meeting product goals.