Junior Product Manager

ECN; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 520,000 - 860,000; Full time

Job summary

ECN is seeking a Product Manager/Functional or Business Analyst to drive product development and market expansion. You will oversee product specifications, pricing, roadmaps and partnerships, and work across teams to deliver competitive offerings.

The role demands market research, cost analysis, vendor negotiations and ongoing performance reviews to meet annual budgets and growth targets. A strong understanding of ICT/telecom markets is preferred, with experience in product lifecycle management.

Job description

Job category: Product Manager/ Functional or Business Analyst

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: Yes

Introduction

The Product Manager is responsible for managing aspects of the distribution process of allocated products. They will be responsible for developing products, identifying new potential products, conducting market research and generatingproductrequirements. They will be responsible for determining product specifications, production timetables, pricing and time-integrated plans forproductintroduction. The Product Manager must develop marketing strategies and achieve individual annual budgets, profit and sales growth plans.

1. Product Performance & Financial Management

• Monitor and evaluate the financial and commercial performance of assigned product lines.
• Conduct regular cost reviews, including third-party and associated product costs, and ensure costing information remains current.
• Track actual versus projected and budgeted sales, revenue and profitability.
• Prepare short- and long-term sales forecasts and monthly product performance reports.
• Monitor incentives, supplier rebates and other commercial benefits.
• Analyse regional and product-category performance, deal volumes and product growth.
• Establish and maintain strong, professional relationships with vendors and suppliers.
• Negotiate supplier pricing, commercial terms and purchasing arrangements to achieve optimal business outcomes.
• Understand vendor strategies, processes and product roadmaps and incorporate these into product planning.
• Manage vendor contracts, purchase agreements and pricing changes.
• Conduct vendor review meetings and promote products and features internally and externally.
• Resolve product and vendor-related issues while protecting the company's interests and maintaining positive supplier relationships.

3. Product Management & Development

• Identify new product opportunities and make recommendations to management.
• Develop and maintain product strategies and quarterly product roadmaps.
• Identify opportunities to enhance existing products and develop plans for new product launches.
• Research integrations, partnerships and licensing opportunities with third parties.
• Review, assess and prioritise product and feature requests.
• Develop detailed functional requirements and business requirement documentation.
• Maintain accurate product information, costing and pricing across relevant business systems and documentation.
• Ensure product data and pricing are consistently aligned across systems, costing sheets and price lists.
• Conduct and compile monthly market and competitor research.
• Monitor competitor products, pricing, promotions and new product launches.
• Analyse competitive advantages, product positioning and market opportunities.
• Conduct SWOT analyses of assigned product lines.
• Obtain industry and competitor intelligence from sales teams, resellers and other relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain expert knowledge of the competitive landscape and changing market conditions.
• Conduct regular reseller and market visits to gather first-hand market intelligence.

5. Product Efficiency & Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve product performance, operational efficiency and profitability.
• Develop and recommend process and product improvements.
• Collaborate with relevant internal departments to implement approved changes successfully.
• Proactively identify inefficiencies and develop practical solutions.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date product price lists.
• Develop pricing models based on market conditions, competitor activity, costs and other relevant commercial factors.
• Determine appropriate pricing according to product segment and market positioning.
• Provide specialist pricing support and guidance to the sales team.
• Ensure pricing consistency across all relevant systems and customer-facing documentation.

7. Product Knowledge, Training & Enablement

• Develop and maintain product knowledge within internal teams and external channels.
• Conduct channel and sales training workshops.
• Develop product support tools, documentation and sales enablement materials.
• Communicate product positioning, functionality, benefits and target markets to sales teams and partners.
• Provide specialist product knowledge and support to customers and channel partners.

8. Product Strategy, Sales & Channel Development

• Develop appropriate channels and routes to market for assigned products.
• Implement strategies and initiatives designed to increase product sales and market penetration.
• Identify customer requirements and anticipate changing market needs.
• Support the sales team in positioning and promoting products.
• Participate in sales calls and provide specialist responses to product functionality and technical questions.
• Provide sales documentation, tools and product expertise to support revenue growth.

9. Marketing & Product Promotion

• Develop and edit product marketing materials in collaboration with the marketing department.
• Generate ideas and initiatives to promote products and increase sales.
• Develop and coordinate product marketing events and promotional activities.
• Create promotional flyers, branding initiatives and other product communication materials.
• Ensure marketing activity supports the overall product strategy and market positioning.

10. Product Documentation & Release Management

• Author and maintain product release notes, product documentation and help systems.
• Ensure product information remains accurate, current and accessible to relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain supporting documentation required by sales, customers, vendors and internal teams.

11. Stock & Inventory Management

• Monitor stock holdings, stock days and aged inventory.
• Maintain optimum stock levels in line with sales forecasts and business requirements.
• Meet supplier inventory requirements to maximise rebates and commercial benefits.
• Identify and resolve stock-related issues.
• Develop and implement proactive action plans for ageing or excess inventory.
• Drive stock efficiency and minimise the financial impact of slow-moving products.
• Forecast monthly purchasing requirements based on product demand and inventory requirements.
• Obtain and process supplier quotations.
• Manage purchase orders, goods receipts and related procurement documentation.
• Coordinate invoice pack sign-offs and payment instructions with the Finance Department.
• Ensure procurement activity supports stock availability, commercial objectives and supplier requirements.

13. Reporting, Systems & Business Administration

• Prepare and submit monthly product costing, sales, profitability and performance reports within required deadlines.
• Maintain accurate product and pricing information on relevant systems, including Porta and SAP.
• Ensure alignment between system information, costing sheets, price lists and other product documentation.
• Provide management with timely and accurate product, market, pricing, stock and commercial information.

14. Professional Development & Product Expertise

• Maintain current professional, technical and industry knowledge.
• Attend relevant educational workshops and professional development activities.
• Review professional publications and industry information.
• Build and maintain professional networks.
• Participate in relevant professional associations and industry forums.
• Remain a subject-matter expert on assigned products, markets, vendors and competitors.

15. Additional Responsibilities

• Perform additional product-related functions, projects and responsibilities as reasonably instructed by the Management Team from time to time.
• Collaborate across departments and with external stakeholders to achieve the company's product, commercial and strategic objectives.

Required Experience

• 2-3 years product management experience in the ICT/Telecommunications field
• 2-3 Years experience in Product Management
• Degree or Diploma in Product or Marketing Management.
• Experience with Unified Threat Management (UTM), firewall solutions, LAN/WAN networking products, and call recording solutions will be a distinct advantage
• IT or communication market/segment knowledge