Group Director, Product Lead

Job Description: Group Director - Product Lead - Sales Order Management (SOM)   

Role Overview:  We are looking for a Product Lead to manage the suite of applications and toolsets required for Sales Order Management (SOM). This is a critical role that ensures seamless collaboration between the Operations (Ops) team, business units, and technology teams to deliver best-in-class solutions for SOM and its related upstream and downstream tools. The Product Lead will have ownership of the product lifecycle management (PDLC), from defining the product roadmap, prioritizing requirements, to overseeing the design and implementation of optimal workflows. You will be the key liaison between Operations, Technology, and SAM (Sales Account Management), negotiating the scope, functionality, and technical requirements to ensure the tools are maintained with the highest standards of rigor.  

Key Responsibilities:  

1.  Product Ownership & Lifecycle Management:  - Own and manage the toolset and applications required for SOM, including upstream and downstream systems that SOM interacts with. - Oversee the full PDLC from ideation through to delivery and ongoing maintenance. - Ensure tools are managed with operational excellence and maintain a rigorous approach to updates, improvements, and troubleshooting.

2.  Collaboration & Stakeholder Management:  - Act as the key point of contact between the Ops team, Technology, and SAM teams, ensuring alignment on product goals and timelines. - Negotiate the scope of work, functional requirements, and technology priorities with internal and external stakeholders. - Collaborate with business-aligned product teams to ensure the seamless integration of SOM-related tools with broader business applications.

3.  Product Strategy & Roadmap Development:  - Develop and maintain a comprehensive product roadmap for SOM tools and applications. - Prioritize requirements in alignment with business goals, technical feasibility, and resource availability. - Define, document, and communicate product strategies to key stakeholders and teams.

4.  Workflow & Process Optimization:  - Design and implement optimal workflows to improve operational efficiency and ensure smooth functioning of SOM tools. - Continuously identify opportunities for process improvements and automation to drive better outcomes for the Ops team.

5.  Technical Oversight:  - Partner with the Technology team to define and prioritize technical activities, ensuring the right technologies are deployed and maintained effectively. - Work closely with the Ops team to ensure that the tools and capabilities meet their operational needs while adhering to the highest quality standards.  

Qualifications:  

- Proven experience in product management, ideally within Sales Order Management or related domains.

- Strong understanding of PDLC with a track record of successfully managing end-to-end product lifecycle.

- Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with Ops, Technology, and Business teams.

- Experience in developing product roadmaps, prioritizing requirements, and driving execution. - Strong problem-solving skills and ability to optimize workflows and processes.

- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.  

Key Competencies:  

- Strategic thinking and ability to translate business needs into product solutions.

- Strong negotiation and collaboration skills.

- High level of accountability and ownership over product quality and delivery.

- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in a fast-paced environment.  

Location:  UK/US  

Reports To:  Head of D&A Operations ---

This role is crucial for ensuring the effective management of SOM tools and applications, requiring a candidate who is both strategic and execution-focused, with the ability to lead cross-functional efforts.

CRITICAL DELIVERABLES: 

Growth: 

• Support D&A Financial Health through effective execution of fulfilment and financial processes 

• Deliver D&A Operations Transformation programs 

Culture: 

• Focus on Talent Development and Diversity & Inclusion 

• Build Operations Academy Learning Capability 

Customer: 

• Deliver Order Management Operational Performance 

• Support customer experience by migrating customer onto next generation platforms 

• Partner on the successful delivery of Transformation Programs 

Efficiency: 

• Deliver 2024 Financial Plan 

Resilience: 

• Mature Risk & Controls for D&A Customer Operations 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS AND COMMITTEES 

• Steering Group Representation / Working Group Lead for all mentioned