Product Operations Lead - Enablement & Automation

FirstRand Limited; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstRand Limited in Johannesburg seeks a Product Operations Manager to enable scalable product lifecycle execution, drive operational efficiency, and embed best practices that enhance product performance, compliance, and client experience.

You will partner with product, operations and technology teams to operationalise products, manage risks, streamline onboarding, and lead automation initiatives that reduce manual work while sustaining high service levels.

Qualifications

• Honours degree in a STEM-related discipline, Finance, or a related quantitative field.
• 6 to 8 years' experience in Product Support, Development and Analysis.
• Proficient in SQL, Teradata and/or Python for data extraction and analysis.
• Experience in data visualisation and dashboard development to translate complex data into clear and actionable business insights.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that product-related operational risks are mitigated, regulatory requirements are met, and cross-functional teams are aligned to deliver high-quality product enablement solutions.
• Drive product enablement initiatives by collaborating with product teams, operations, and technology to ensure products are seamlessly operationalised and integrated into the bank's infrastructure.
• Develop, implement, and refine product workflows and processes to optimise the end-to-end product lifecycle, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and scalability in line with business growth objectives.
• Act as the key liaison between product, operations, and technology teams to ensure product feasibility, operational readiness, and alignment with business strategy.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks related to product delivery and enablement by ensuring all processes comply with regulatory, risk, and governance requirements.
• Ensure seamless client onboarding and product adoption by streamlining operational processes, minimising friction, and optimising client experience.
• Monitor product performance and operational effectiveness through data analysis and insights, identifying opportunities for process improvements and enhancements.
• Own and oversee product operational efficiency metrics to drive continuous improvement in service levels, cost management, and turnaround times.
• Ensure all product-related operational processes are documented, standardised, and continuously refined to support efficiency and regulatory adherence.
• Develop and execute training and enablement plans for internal stakeholders to ensure teams across the bank understand and can effectively support product operations.
• Lead the resolution of product operational issues and incidents, collaborating with technology, risk, and operational teams to implement sustainable solutions.
• Work closely with external vendors and partners where required to ensure seamless integration and operational alignment with third-party services and platforms.
• Drive automation and digital enablement within product operations to reduce manual interventions and improve efficiency.
• Champion regulatory and compliance adherence by embedding regulatory requirements into operational processes and ensuring continuous monitoring and reporting.
• Support strategic product initiatives and change programmes by ensuring operational readiness and proactively addressing any enablement or execution challenges.
• Contribute to a high-performance culture by proactively seeking ways to optimise processes, improve efficiencies, and drive operational excellence.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to digitise, automate, and enhance product enablement capabilities.
• Act as a thought leader in product operations by staying ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and evolving best practices to enhance operational execution.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders by building strong relationships, facilitating cross-functional alignment, and ensuring seamless coordination.
• Promote a risk-aware culture by ensuring all operational activities align with regulatory standards, risk appetite, and governance frameworks.

Skills

SQL

Python

Data visualization

Dashboard development

Education

Honours degree in STEM or Finance

Tools

Teradata

Job description

FirstRand Limited in Johannesburg seeks a Product Operations Manager to enable scalable product lifecycle execution, drive operational efficiency, and embed best practices that enhance product performance, compliance, and client experience.

You will partner with product, operations and technology teams to operationalise products, manage risks, streamline onboarding, and lead automation initiatives that reduce manual work while sustaining high service levels.