Vehicle Life Cycle and Product Development Manager at Boardroom Appointments

• The Vehicle Lifecycle and Product Development Manager is responsible for managing the complete lifecycle of vehicle-related financial products—from ideation and development to implementation and ongoing optimization. This includes ownership of services supporting vehicle financing and management, such as leasing, loans, insurance products, and customer loyalty programs. The role also leads the strategic development and execution of the vehicle lifecycle approach, including vehicle segmentation, lifecycle performance metrics, remarketing strategies, and dealer engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute comprehensive vehicle lifecycle and remarketing strategies.
• Define, enhance, and innovate vehicle lifecycle products, integrating them into new or existing offerings.
• Lead the design of product concepts from a business perspective, including requirements gathering, implementation planning, and go-to-market strategies.
• Prepare, present, and motivate business cases for new products and product improvements.
• Translate strategic objectives into executable goals with clear KPIs and progress tracking mechanisms.
• Conduct and manage market research, data analytics, and trend analysis to guide product strategy and ensure competitive positioning.
• Drive ideation, validation, and alignment of new product opportunities to evolving customer and market needs.
• Manage external partner and dealer network relationships to support product delivery and lifecycle transitions.
• Collaborate with internal teams, VWFS AG, WesBank, and third parties for effective implementation and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Business, Commerce, Engineering, or related field (Postgraduate qualification preferred).
• 5–7 years of proven experience in Product Management, particularly within financial services or vehicle asset finance.
• Demonstrated success in launching and managing financial products or services.

Technical Competencies & Skills:

• Strong background in Vehicle Asset Finance, with knowledge of financial products and regulatory environments.
• Skilled in conducting market research and using data insights for product design and strategy.
• Proficient in building business cases and managing cross-functional product development projects.
• Technically literate with the ability to engage IT and development teams effectively.
• Deep understanding of the product lifecycle and strategies for maximizing lifecycle value.
• Experience in stakeholder and vendor management, with excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of sustainability practices and their application in vehicle and product lifecycle management.
• Strong project and resource management capabilities, with a focus on timely, budgetconscious delivery.