Senior Software Product Manager at BURN

Position Summary            

• Reporting to the Head of Product, the Senior Product Manager will play a key role within the Software Product Team by owning the long-term roadmap and core internal capability by collaborating closely with other Product Managers, Design teams, Engineering and Quality Assurance teams, and other business functions to develop and execute product roadmaps, as well as manage product launches and releases.   
• They will be required to drive key strategic initiatives focused on improving efficiency and quality across multiple company verticals, in collaboration with different functions within the global and country teams using data-driven insights to make recommendations and validate projects to be implemented, as well as drive project rollout at scale.

Key Responsibilities         

• Leadership:  
  • Provide leadership and guidance to the product management team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. 
  • Set clear goals and expectations for team members, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to excel in their roles.
• Product Strategy & Vision:  
  • Develop and articulate the product vision and strategy in alignment with the company's overall business goals and objectives.
  • Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and customer interviews to identify market trends, user needs, and opportunities for product opportunities and differentiation.
  • Define and draw insights from experiments, data exploration, user feedback, and market research to inform project prioritization and feature design. Prioritize ruthlessly, don’t be afraid of saying no, and champion progress over perfection. 
• Product Planning, Execution and Roll-Out
  • Develop and execute product roadmaps based on customer needs and market research.  Create detailed product specifications, user stories, and acceptance criteria to guide the development team throughout the implementation process. 
  • Drive the entire product lifecycle from concept to launch, ensuring on-time and high-quality product delivery. Work closely with cross-functional teams, including development, design, marketing, and sales, to define and prioritize product requirements and features. 
• Stakeholder Management: 
  • Act as a primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including executives, customers, partners, and vendors. Effectively communicate product vision, roadmap, and progress updates to stakeholders, ensuring alignment and managing expectations. 
  • Gather feedback and insights from stakeholders, incorporating them into the product development process to drive continuous improvement. Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers, understanding their evolving needs and using their feedback to shape product enhancements. 
• Market and Competitive Analysis: 
  • Conduct market research, monitor industry trends, and analyze competitor offerings to identify new opportunities and stay ahead of the competition. 
  • Gather and analyze data related to market share, customer satisfaction, and product performance to make informed decisions and drive product strategy. Utilize market intelligence to identify potential partnerships, acquisitions, or strategic alliances that can enhance the product portfolio and drive business growth. 

Key Qualifications            

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, business, or a related field. 
• 4-7 years of experience in software product management. 
• Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle.
• Proven experience in delivering scalable software products in Africa to more than 100k users across multiple markets.  
• Experience in a Pay-as-you-Go company.
• Experience in the manufacturing industry. 
• Experience with cloud-based software development.
• Experience with product marketing. 
• Good working knowledge of the human-centred design approach and agile development methodologies.