Robert Half is searching for a TPO (Trade Promotion Optimization) Product Director who will be responsible for managing the development and lifecycle of trade promotion optimization software. This role involves acting as the bridge between business stakeholders (typically the Revenue growth management group) and the development team, ensuring that the software meets business needs, delivers value, and aligns with the strategic goals of the organization. The TPO Product Director will prioritize features, define product roadmaps, and drive the execution of software enhancements to optimize trade promotions and increase ROI
Responsibilities
Product Strategy and Vision:
Define and communicate the product vision and strategy for the TPO software, aligning it with company goals and business objectives.
Understand the market, customer needs, and industry trends to create a compelling product roadmap that enhances trade promotion management.
Ensure the TPO software delivers value to end-users and meets the needs of sales, marketing, and finance teams.
Collaborate with key stakeholders to define short-term and long-term product goals.
Product Backlog Management:
Develop and maintain a prioritized product backlog, ensuring that the development team works on the most critical features and enhancements.
Gather and document detailed business requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria.
Continuously prioritize features and technical debt based on business value, customer impact, and strategic goals.
Ensure clear communication of product requirements and priorities to development teams.
Stakeholder Collaboration:
Work closely with cross-functional to define product requirements and ensure alignment with business needs.
Act as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, providing updates on product development and gathering feedback.
Collaborate with customers and end-users to understand pain points, gather feedback, and refine product features.
Manage relationships with third-party vendors, consultants, or partners as needed.
Product Development and Delivery:
Collaborate with the development team to deliver features on time, within scope, and according to requirements.
Review progress during Agile sprints and ensure that product features are being developed as expected.
Ensure high-quality delivery by defining acceptance criteria and participating in testing (UAT).
Oversee the software release process, coordinating with marketing, sales, and support teams for smooth product launches.
Market and Competitive Analysis:
Conduct competitive analysis and assess market trends to ensure the TPO software remains innovative and relevant in the trade promotion space.
Leverage industry best practices and technological advancements to drive product improvements and stay ahead of market demands.
Gather insights from customers, market research, and data analytics to inform product decisions.
Performance Tracking and Optimization:
Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of trade promotions managed through the software.
Use data-driven insights to recommend improvements in trade promotion planning, execution, and analysis.
User Training and Support:
Ensure the development of user training materials, documentation, and guides to facilitate smooth adoption of the software.
Provide ongoing support and training to internal teams and end-users, addressing any questions or concerns.
Gather user feedback to refine product features and improve the overall user experience.
What will you learn?
You will be working on large scale applications that uses cutting edge machine learning models, optimizers, and Generative AI technology
Work with industry leading providers of RGM solutions
North America operating unit business strategies
What makes you a good fit?
Experience: Experience working in the RGM function with a responsibility of optimizing the effectiveness and efficiency of trade promotions within an organization is a plus.
8-10 years of experience in product management, with at least 3-4 years of experience in Trade Promotion Optimization (TPO) or a related field (CPG, FMCG, retail).
Product Management Expertise: Proven experience managing the development of enterprise software, ideally with a focus on trade promotion management or related areas.
Strong knowledge of Agile methodologies and experience working with cross-functional Agile teams.
Ability to define and prioritize product backlogs and translate business needs into user stories and technical requirements.
Analytical and Business Acumen: Strong analytical skills with the ability to make data-driven decisions and measure product success.
Knowledge of trade promotion processes, sales, and marketing strategies, and how TPO software can enhance those activities.
Strong understanding of trade promotion KPIs, ROI analysis, and the business impact of promotional activities.
Leadership and Communication: Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate the product vision, requirements, and progress to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver product features according to business objectives and timelines.
Proven ability to collaborate with diverse teams, including engineering, sales, marketing, and business leaders.
Technical Knowledge: Familiarity with trade promotion software, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and ERP integration.
Experience with business intelligence tools, data analytics, and reporting tools is a plus.
Understanding of AI/ML technologies and how they can be applied to trade promotion optimization is desirable
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Computer Science, or related field. Advanced degrees or certifications in product management or project management are a plus.
Preferred experience with TPO tools or platforms.
Preferred familiarity with machine learning, optimization algorithms, or predictive analytics in the context of trade promotion