Software Product Specialist

SUMMARY:
Our Client, a leader within the Office Automation Industry is looking for a Software Product Specialist to join their team. This position will be based in Johannesburg.

POSITION INFO:

Job Description:

The Product Specialist is responsible for managing the Software and solutions Product Portfolio and determining the what, why and when to understand, plan and execute new market requirements and execution of the product roadmap.  This function fulfills a software solutions marketing, technical and support role for the business and its customers.  To determine and understand market needs, establish and maintain vendor relations and onboarding of new products.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Planning
• Develop an understanding of the marketplace and competitive environment
• Develop a multiyear product road map
• Define the annual product strategy and roadmap
• Deliver on the product strategy and roadmap
• Implement local product strategy
• Prepare product forecasts
• Assist in pricing models
• Marketing
• Understand market trends, customer requirements and competitive landscape to ensure that new and correct products are introduced into the market
• Responsible for product planning and product marketing of designated solutions throughout its lifecycle
• Gather, understand and prioritizing product and customer requirements to build a product vision, while working closely with vendors and developers to deliver solutions
• Design market research projects to assess customer attitudes to the current product range and new product introductions
• Develop content for product and company collateral
• Provide in-depth market, industry and competitive analysis and positioning
• Training and equipping
• Collaborate with other function leaders (marketing communication, sales, development and customer service) to create the content and tools needed to successfully sell, implement and service the product
• Work closely with sales team to develop sales tools and training
• Interact with all members of the sales team to ensure product knowledge by planning and executing internal sales training
• Responsible for the launch of products to internal and external teams
• Develop and coach the Consultants
• Collaborate with Marketing team to develop innovative programs and show event campaigns
• Provide sales team with the necessary technical expertise to enable them to sell the product
• Provide the sales team with printed and electronic promotional material, product training as well as relevant product documentation
• Work closely with the market-facing solutions consultants and solutions architects to understand business goals with client and end-user needs and how they relate to the product and proposed software

• Product Management and Support
• Manage product life cycle stages
• Provide day-to-day guidance to the professional services team during the implementation phase, including change requests
• Act as technical and operational advisor for assigned products
• Act as point of first reference for all product related enquiries
• Maintain expert knowledge on the ICT industry and trends
• Review, and keep up to date on new developments regarding competitor and industry products
• Support the product development process
• Develop pricing and packaging strategies
• Maintain communication with customers and partners for product development
• Identify, assess and onboard new products
• Create Business Cases for new products before approval and launch
• Work with CSSD team and Service Operations Manager on identifying skills requirements for the onboarding of new products

Educational Requirements:

• BSc in IT or equivalent Business Degree

Experience and Skills Required:

• Minimum 8 years of experience in ICT / Office Automation (Architect, Pre-sales, Product Management)
• Demonstrated success in product sourcing
• Demonstrated success in product launches and end-to-end execution of strategies as well as experience in product demonstrations
• Demonstrated success in software architecture and software integration in complex IT environments
• Strong business acumen and technical skills
• Interpersonal communication and listening skills
• Problem solving and critical thinking
• Written communication and reading skills
• Exception presentation skills
• Ability to talk and present to large audiences and public

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