Product Operations Manager

FirstRand Bank Limited; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Networking opportunities

Challenging projects to innovate

Job summary

FirstRand Bank Limited is seeking a Product Operations Manager to oversee the seamless operation and enablement of the bank's product suite. The role focuses on optimizing product lifecycle processes, driving efficiency, and embedding best practices to enhance performance, compliance, and client experience.

The ideal candidate will establish governance, collaborate across product, operations, technology and client-facing teams, and lead initiatives to mitigate risks while delivering scalable

Qualifications

• Honours degree in a STEM-related field, Finance, or a related quantitative discipline.
• 6–8 years' experience in Product Support, Development and Analysis.
• Experience with data extraction, manipulation and analysis using SQL, Teradata and/or Python.

Responsibilities

• Establish and embed operational frameworks for product execution.
• Drive product enablement with cross-functional teams to integrate products.
• Develop and refine workflows to optimise end-to-end product lifecycle.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks and ensure regulatory adherence.
• Ensure seamless client onboarding and smooth product adoption.
• Monitor product performance and drive continuous process improvements.

Skills

Data extraction

Data manipulation

Data analysis

Data visualization

Dashboard development

Education

Honours degree in STEM/Finance or related quantitative field

Tools

SQL

Teradata

Python

Job description

Product Operations Manager

RMB is a place where exceptional people create their own opportunities by challenging the conventional and driving sustainable impact. United by our proud heritage and strong ethics. Innovative ideas, its the magic of our people and culture that sets us apart. Now, is the time to imagine your next move with South Africa's number one employer in Financial Services for 2025, where you can embrace the power of collective thinking to unlock unique opportunities for our clients and society.

This role entails ensuring the seamless operational execution, enablement, and scalability of the organisation's product suite by optimising product lifecycle processes, driving operational efficiency, and embedding best practices that enhance product performance, compliance, and client experience. 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. Act as a key bridge between product, operations, technology, and client-facing teams, ensure that product delivery remains seamless, sustainable, and commercially viable.

Responsibilities

• Establish and embed operational frameworks and governance structures for product execution to ensure that relevant products are delivered in a standardised, efficient, and scalable manner.
• 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.

Ideal Candidate

• have an Honours degree in a STEM-related discipline, Finance, or a related quantitative field.
• have 6 to 8 years' experience in Product Support, Development and Analysis are proficient in data extraction, manipulation and analysis using SQL, Teradata and/or Python.
• have experience in data visualisation and dashboard development, with the ability to translate complex data into clear and actionable business insights.

You Will Have Access To

• Opportunities to network and collaborate
• Challenging Work Opportunities to innovate

Are you interested to take the step? We look forward to engaging with you further.

Important Closing Date

Note Take note that applications will not be accepted on the below date and onwards, kindly submit applications ahead of the closing date indicated below. 22/10/26

Equality and Equity

All appointments will be made in line with FirstRand Group's Employment Equity plan.

The Bank supports the recruitment and advancement of individuals with disabilities. In order for us to fulfill this purpose, candidates can disclose their disability information on a voluntary basis. The Bank will keep this information confidential unless we are required by law to disclose this information to other parties.

Company Overview

FirstRand provides a comprehensive range of financial services in South Africa and certain markets in broader Africa. The group also offers certain niche products and services in the UK and India. Listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX), FirstRand Limited is the largest financial institution by market capitalisation in Africa. The group follows a multi-branding approach. Its portfolio of financial services businesses includes FNB, RMB, WesBank, Ashburton Investments, Aldermore, MotoNovo and DirectAxis. Many are leaders in their respective segments and markets, offering transactional, lending, investment and insurance products and services The FirstRand Corporate Centre houses many of the critical functions required by a large and complex financial services group. The group's track record of delivering superior returns to shareholders has been achieved through a combination of organic growth, acquisitions, innovation and the creation of completely new businesses. The group's purpose of delivering Shared Prosperity provides many opportunities for employees to innovate to address social and environmental challenges in our markets. All of our businesses have successful Volunteering programmes which also allow employees to adopt and support causes close to their hearts.