Product Development Manager
1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Reporting to the DM: Marketing, the Product Manager will be expected to drive the development and implementation of the product strategy. A priority will be product design and development, and business rules implementation. The Product Development Manager will be the ultimate custodian for the product including ongoing business development; this will include managing third party service providers and strategic partnerships.


The Product Development Manager is responsible for the design, development and rollout of Membership and/or corporate products in line with the strategic objectives, as well as the setting and achievement of initial sales targets through available channels. Ensuring that appropriate communication is continuously implemented regarding product development, internally and externally, as well as management and continuous optimization of the channels to reduce barriers to Membership entry/exit is key.

The Product Development Division places a strong emphasis on providing enhanced products and services. Additionally, the development of pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing profits or share of market while ensuring customers are satisfied is also critical.

The Product Development Manager’s ongoing priorities include:
• Development of product and value added benefits to maintain the value proposition
• Project support on key product projects

2. JOB RELATED INFORMATION

Department:

o Product Development

Upward Reporting Relationship:

o DM: Marketing

Number of Personnel Supervised:

o 0

3. JOB OBJECTIVES

o Ensure that policies and business rules are established and communicated to promote Membership and/or corporate products and services,
o Evaluate the financial aspects of Membership including budgets, expenditure, return-on-investment and profit-loss projections.
o Develop pricing strategies, balancing organisation objectives and customer satisfaction.
o Coordinate and direct product development activities based on analysis of customer information.
o Product launch dand assist in the development of a launch campaign, collateral, website, handbook, retail catalogue, posters and campaign materials to support sales and marketing efforts
o Use sales forecasting and strategic planning to ensure the sale and profitability of Membership and/or corporate products, lines, or services, analysing business developments and monitoring market trends.
o Design and development of Membership and/or corporate products
o Develop the core positioning and messaging for products
o New product innovation
o Development of business rules
o Management and continuous optimisation of Membership channels in order to deliver product offerings that reduce barriers to Membership entry
o Manage strategic alliance relationships with service providers to Membership and/or corporate products
o Alignment to the vision and objectives of the AA through performance management
o Define the product strategy and roadmap
o Work with external third parties to assess partnerships and licensing opportunities
o Run pilot programs with early-stage products and case studies
o Be an expert with respect to the competition
o Analyse and interpret large amounts of data
o Assist in developing the core positioning and messaging for new products
o Implement pricing strategies to meet revenue and profitability goals

4. JOB SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Job Knowledge:

o Experience of product development and the development of pricing strategies
o Understanding of channel marketing and optimisation.
o Understanding of information systems to maximize the use of technology throughout the distribution channels

Job Related Skills:

o Strong analytical skills as well as the ability to compare, contrast and match customer data to products and services
o Financially astute with strong business acumen
o Analytical
o Lateral thinking
o Innovative and creative
o Ownership (accountability & responsibility)
o Decision making
o Time management
o Problem solving
o Confident to deal with business at all levels
o Excellent team work skills

Job Experience:

o Substantial product management experience with an excellent track record, including new product design, development and implementation
o Experience working with large database
o Strategic planning
o Budgeting
o Presentation at board level
o Project and programme management
o Demonstrate success defining and launching products
o Excellent written and verbal communication
o Strong links to marketing and sales efforts
o Minimum 2-3 years product management experience

Education:

o Relevant bachelor’s degree with proven track record.

5. COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

Extreme Importance:

o Commercial Awareness
o Specialist Knowledge
o Leadership
o Creativity & Innovation
o Action Orientation
o Strategic
o Resilience

High Importance:

o Problem Solving and Analysis
o Planning and Organising
o Persuasiveness
o Oral Communication
o Flexibility

Moderate Importance:

o Written Communication
o Personal Motivation
o Interpersonal Sensitivity