Global Head of Product Management & Product Development

SUMMARY:
Our client that specializes in mobile outdoor cooking based in Midrand is looking for a Global Head of PM & PD to join their team.

POSITION INFO:
Your main responsibilities:
Product Strategy and Planning:

• Develop and implement a global product strategy that aligns with the companies Standalone strategic direction and the division's overall business goals.
• Conduct market research to identify customer needs, market trends, market size and competitive landscape.
• Define product vision, roadmap, and lifecycle management processes.

• Analyze market trends, customer feedback, and competitive products to identify opportunities and threats.
• Use data-driven insights to guide product development and marketing strategies.
• Continuously monitor the competitive landscape and adjust strategies as needed.

• Oversee the global product portfolio, ensuring a balanced mix of products that meet market demands.
• Evaluate product performance and profitability, making adjustments as necessary.
• Ensure consistent brand positioning and messaging across all products.

• Lead the product development process from ideation through to launch.
• Collaborate with PD, engineering, and design teams to ensure product feasibility and innovation.
• Manage product specifications, features, and performance criteria to meet market and customer requirements.
• Develop packaging concepts and solutions
• Support the manufacturing preparation for a new product or product improvement introduction, incl. definition of tooling requirements, process documentation, process validation
• Support the advanced product quality planning process by means of quality verification & control plans, part and process approval process (PPAP).
• Support sourcing initiatives such as cost reductions, specification changes and supplier relocations etc.
• Drive continuous product improvements and cost reduction initiatives by means of value analysis and value engineering (VA/VE) methodology

• Work closely with the China based Manufacturing and development engineers (8 team members).
• Work closely with marketing, sales, and operations teams to ensure successful product launches and market penetration.
• Coordinate with regional sales team to tailor products for specific markets.
• Foster strong collaboration between different departments to align product initiatives with business goals.

• Manage the technical design team in South Africa (4 team members) as coordinator, decision maker and team leader
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing global product management team.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Implement training and development programs to enhance team capabilities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Marketing, or a related field; MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in product management within the mobile cooking, outdoor, or related industries, with at least 5 years in a global leadership position.
• Proven track record of successfully managing product lifecycles and driving product innovation.
• Experience in working in an international set-up, work across 3 continents and especially working with Chinese companies and people
• Experience in working with Microsoft Office 365 tools, ERP & PDM/PLM Systems, CAD & CAE tools etc.
• Business fluent in English

• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills.
• Excellent leadership and team-building abilities.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills (working with various stakeholders during product development processes)
• Ability to travel extensively.