Product Manager : Xfusion

Our client in the IT industry is currently looking for a Product Manager: X Fusion, in Midrand.

POSITION INFO:

Responsibilities:

1. To provide pre-sales support to partners, xFusion, and internal sales divisions.
2. Design, scope, and build solutions by conducting site visits and customer engagements to clearly define project requirements and key outcomes.
3. Become a trusted technical advisor and training resource as well as a technical resource for all parties.
4. Pre-Sales Solution Building and Design Business Strategy Development and Execution.
5. Understand the development strategy for the vendor and implement it in the SBM sector:
1. Increase customer coverage/count for vendor.
2. Increase geographic coverage for vendor.
3. Define and document a development plan with each partner and focus on the execution.
4. Review the development plan on a quarterly basis.
5. Present the status of the development plan back to the vendor.
6. Training and up-skilling of partners.
7. Development partner tasked with growing sales and presales resources of partner.
8. Training on vendor sales tools and processes.
9. Managing the certification level of partners.
10. Involving partners in vendor training and events.
11. Ensure operational excellence of vendor within the partner, ensuring orders are placed on vendor timeously.
12. Alignment of vendor resources to partner.
13. Ensure that stakeholders at the vendor interface with stakeholders at the partner on the following levels:
1. Technical
2. Management
3. Marketing
14. Solutions Proposals: Working with the partner to drive marketing initiatives on behalf of the vendor, which may include:
1. Marketing events
2. Tele-campaigns
3. Internal incentives
4. Promotion of vendor events
5. Driving vendor GTMs with the partner and ensuring focus on the GTMs.
15. Discount Management: Lobbying support for partners at the vendor.
16. Enlisting vendor support to drive the opportunity to closure.
17. Maintaining relationships with key vendor contacts that are required for success.
18. Solution focus for each partner: Ensuring that vendors are focused on each product.
19. Take ultimate responsibility for the revenue target allocated to the partner.
20. Drive the product focus within each respective partner.
21. Be the custodian of the vendor relationship at the partner.
22. Ensure that vendors' products are top of mind with all key stakeholders within the partner.
23. Analyse market segments and develop marketing strategies to build product demand by creating effective solutions and awareness of the product and brand.
24. Provide marketing plans and GTM plans for the sales team.
25. Liaise with vendor and industry to understand product and market trends and amend plans accordingly to ensure efficient product life cycle management and maximize opportunities.
26. Clearly communicate product, market strategy, objectives, and technical details.
27. Develop a strategic account management plan for all channel partners to be presented once a quarter as part of your quarterly review.
28. Ensure that customer-related queries are effectively dealt with and solved.
29. Assist the team with other related functions when and where required.
30. Submit Weekly / Monthly / Quarterly reports as required by management, vendors, and analysts.

Experience and Knowledge:

1. 2 to 3 years of IT sales experience is essential.
2. Knowledge of server and x86 server products and solutions is key.
3. Understanding of Hyper-Converged Infrastructure systems will be an advantage.
4. In-depth understanding of computing platforms in solutions and problem-solving regarding client needs will be highly beneficial.
5. Understanding of SAN and vSAN systems will be an advantage.
6. Solid Enterprise solution capabilities and background is essential.
7. Previous IT distribution experience will be an advantage.

Requirements:

1. Matric with mathematics is essential.
2. Sales and Marketing qualification and/or relevant diploma is preferred.
3. Advanced knowledge of MS Office suite is essential.
4. Knowledge of CRM and ERP systems is preferred.
5. Knowledge of the process critical to sales e.g., RMA's & deliveries.
6. Service quality oriented.
7. Ability to manage stress, work under pressure and manage a high workload.
8. Relevant technical knowledge and technology-driven, up to date with the current technical products and knowledge within the product and Enterprise certifications.
9. Customer-focused with excellent customer service skills.
10. Planned with good time management skills.
11. Negotiation skills for interactional purposes with clients and vendors.
12. Ability to manage relationships on all levels within a company.