Manager: Product at Absa Group Limited (Absa)

Job Summary

• To develop tactical strategy and delivery plans, formulate associated practice/s and to ensure operational implementation and adoption i.t.o. product development methodology and delivery objectives.

Job Description

Commercial management: 

• Accountable for managing the commercial performance (P&L) of the product across the product lifecycle in support of the business's high-level financial ambitions and Balance Sheet shape

Product Management: 

• Delivers a compelling and insights led Product Proposition offering that aligns to and enables the business and customer strategies

Product Infrastructure: 

• Accountable for the entire end-to-end infrastructure (People, Process and Technology) on which the product runs to support the target customer experience whilst ensuring that the product remains commercially viable.
• Adhere to and contribute to the development of standard operating procedures and guidelines within the area of accountability. 
• Adhere to identified best practices in providing advice and support from a specialist perspective. 
• Consult in area of expertise to provide specialist input into the development and amendment of processes, procedures, guidelines and standards. 
• Provide specialist advice and support in area of accountability to ensure that identified solutions and recommendations are appropriate and effective. 
• Analyse data to identify possible areas for improved operations and optimised work schedules and make practically implementable recommendations. 
• Collate and gather information to identify business issues and opportunities to improve current operations. 
• Investigate anomalies and or irregularities to establish and verify facts that leads to the identification and reduction of risks. 
• Responsible for contributing towards the product development book of work for cash management. 
• Ensure that daily operations run seamlessly to support the target customer experience and performance requirements. 
• Accountable for ensuring an optimal and compliant control environment within relationship banking products that appropriately balance risk appetites and customer demand with the need to grow to achieve the financial ambitions and balance sheet aspirations 
• Ensures that the product value propositions seamlessly integrate into segment and sector value propositions to support “golden baskets” and enable the acquisition and retention of customers in specific segments and sectors to support the targeted commerce 
• Conduct in-depth investigations, where recurring deviation from segments targets are prevalent with relation to payment acceptance products and ensure corrective and preventative measures are put in place 
• Develop cross sell, retention and acquisition action plans in alignment with strategy set by payment acceptance and monitor the progress thereof. Monitor alignment between marketing and sales support activities through prioritization of retail segments initiatives. 
• Design and deliver products specific to their portfolio that will enable segment leaders across retail markets to optimize retail penetration and quarterly realignment. 
• Develop the overall enterprise & commercial segments execution strategy and business plan for their product portfolio that will establish the business unit as a centre of excellence for execution across absa retail markets. 
• Responsible for managing the commercial performance (p&l) of the cash management product portfolio allocated to them across the product lifecycle in support of relationship banking’s high-level financial ambitions and balance sheet shape. 
• Identify and contribute to the development of solutions to improve operational service and quality and escalate unresolved issues to management and process owners. 
• Provide advice and support for value-added process improvements, initiatives and services.
• Report on transactional and process activities to enable timely and effective decision making

Accountability: Finance 

• Provide advice to prevent and reduce financial wastage in the relevant business area. 

Accountability: Learning and growth 

• Provide expertise, participate and contribute to a culture of work centric thinking, productivity, service delivery and quality management. 
• Support and contribute to the successful implementation of change initiatives. 

Accountability: Conduct 

• Adhere to corporate governance and compliance policies to manage and mitigate risk exposure liability. 

Education and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, banking, Economics or Similar (NQF6)       
• Post Graduate degree or MBA (NQF Level 7) preferable
• 10 years banking experience
• 5-10 years relevant product management experience

Knowledge & Skills: (Maximum of 8)

• Management and Leadership Skills
• High quality written and verbal communication and presentation skills                        
• Time Management
• Enthusiasm and high levels of drive
• Business Skills
• Technical Knowledge
• Commercial effectiveness
• Cash management products

Competencies:  (Maximum of 8 competencies)

• Managing Relationships
• Influencing People Commercial
• Effectiveness Information
• Gathering Forward planning
• Leading and supervising
• Deciding and initiating action 
• Formulating strategies and concepts
• Applying expertise and technology

Special work requirements 

• 2 – 5 years mastery level cash management products
• 3 – 5 years extensive knowledge of the product lifecycle
• 3 - 5 years extensive knowledge of payment related legislation

Education

• Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Business, Commerce and Management Studies (Required)