About the position
SENTECH is looking for Product Development Manager for the Broadband portfolio, who will be responsible for developing and executing the strategy for the company's connectivity products, ensuring that they meet customer needs and drive business growth. In this role, the incumbent will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including technical, , marketing, and sales, to define and prioritize product requirements. will also conduct market research and analyze customer feedback to identify opportunities and create innovative solutions and collaborate with vendors. In addition the Product Development Manager is expected to maximize product profitability and ensure sustainable competitiveness over the full duration of the product life cycle - from conception to retirement - predominantly within the Enterprise Connectivity / Enterprise Solutions space. This a One - Year Contract.
Qualifications and experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration or Marketing is preferred or related field advantageous
- Minimum 8+ years of experience in product development/engineering or related field within the Telecoms industry
- Strong technical background and understanding of connectivity products and technologies
- Proven ability to drive successful product delivery
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Analytical mindset and ability to make data-driven decisions
- Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Applying expert knowledge of the market to ensures product relevance by formulating and implementing strategic action and managing the efficient, operational functioning of the product.
- Role will include aspects related to Product Design, Market Analysis, Product Maintenance, Vendor Engagement and Financial Management
The Following Will Be Advantageous
- Registration with ECSA would be an advantage.
- Experience in the ISP / ICT services environment is an essential requirement.
- Experience with new product development and any relevant technical experience strongly preferred
- Superior understanding of connectivity related technologies including IP/MPLS, Ethernet, Fibre, Wireless (P2P, P2MP) etc
- Have an in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of the following:
o SDH and DWDM and optical transmission networks.
o IP/MPLS networks.
o Radio and Microwave networks; and
o Business and Residential Broadband networks.
Added Responsibilities:
Leads the commercialization of the products within the category:
Supplier Relationship Management
- Define and execute the product roadmap for connectivity portfolio
- Stay up to date with industry trends and emerging technologies to ensure our products remain competitive in the marketplace
- Collaborate with Technology to provide expert advice to key stakeholders on all aspects of product procurement and development recommending a build or buy strategic choices within your category
- Work with outsourced service delivery organisations to develop products against agreed spec (MVP's) and commercialisation plan
- Foster trust relationships with vendors to achieve better pricing and quality of services
- Challenge and motivate providers to optimise service outcomes
- Lead negotiations on high impact, complex supply arrangements and manage contracts to deliver optimal category outcomes
- Consult throughout the organisation to support the development of strategic and high-
risk contracts and supplier relationships - Identify sources of value through the supplier relationship
- Lead supplier development activities for key suppliers and market segments to meet the needs of the organization
- Develop frameworks to identify and track benefit.
Growing and Profitable Categories Delivered - Create an ambitious and wide-ranging and profitable category based on future trends,
disruptive technology, and customer and consumer needs, together with an in-depth knowledge of organisational demand, needs and requirements - Demonstrate expertise in analysing category and product performance and provide expert
advise to sales teams on how to improve profitability - Develop strategies and supply markets to effectively deal with limited sources of supply
- Set the overall strategy and framework for how different 'go-to-market' techniques are to be established and used throughout the organization
- Lead the interpretation of product availability on merchant profitability and collaborated to develop product value propositions to enable sales selling stories
Product commercialisation - Leads commercialization effort for products, new product innovation programs
- Collaborates across the business to develop internal feasibility assessments and
- Business case rationale to support commercialization plans and revenue generation.
- Ensure effective team engagement; review project timelines, cost projections and revenue delivery with the key members of management
- Make forecasts for product availability and ensure the availability of inventory in support of our market penetration strategy
- Facilitate the creation of mitigation/contingency plans and manage communication for any disruptions in the game plan or revenue targets
- Work closely with business areas to identify and manage commercial, contractual, operational, financial, reputational, ethical and supply chain risks emanating from category activity and supply base arrangements
- Act as an internal consultant on techniques and actions to manage high-value complex projects and relationships risk
- Conduct market research and analyze customer feedback to identify new opportunities and improve existing products
- Collaborate with marketing and sales teams to develop effective product content/messaging and go-to-market strategies
- Monitor product performance and adjust strategies as necessary to meet business goals
Sentech will give preference to suitable candidates who add to the cultural and gender diversity of the company.
If you are interested and meet the required criteria as described above, please send your CV on/or before 31 May 2023.
Appointment will be done in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the organisation. People with disability will be given preferences and they are encouraged to apply.
SENTECH reserves the right not to appoint
Desired Skills:
- Product managing
- Radio and Microwave networks
- SDH and DWDM and optical transmission networks
Desired Work Experience:
- 5 to 10 years Middle / Department Management
Desired Qualification Level & Accreditations:
- Degree
- Engineering Council of South Africa
