Director of Product Management

Aleran Software offers an intuitive cloud-based software for sales management/automation and associated B2B Ecommerce sites.  The product is sold as Software-as-a-Service and includes valuable tools that give knowledge to the sales process and offerings, including fully integrated sales order entry, order processing, commissions management, and Ecommerce site management in a single, affordable software solution.  The cloud-based connected offering includes a mobile solution useful in both connected and connectivity-challenged environments, wherein results are readily synced when connectivity is available.

We are seeking a Director of Product Management to help us take our product to the next level, gain greater market share, and fuel our growth to multi-vertical market leadership.  This is a direct hire position based in the greater Minneapolis, MN area.  The position offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including equity.  The right candidate will demonstrate the capacity to serve as a key executive within the company, with great responsibility for the company’s near-term and long-term product and operational strategy and execution.

OVERVIEW

With a focus to address the organization’s vision, you will manage/execute all aspects of product management, feature/function release timing and associated communicatitons, and the operational impact of adding planned products/enhancements to our service offering.  You will work closely with Software Development leadership and Sales leadership, and be responsible for product planning, positioning and seamless release as an offering, whether as an existing product enhancement, product upgrade, or new service offering.   Sales growth and customer satisfaction are the key metrics by which we drive our company.  Hard work and success are rewarded within our organization.

With your guidance, the company will become the leader in its segment for cloud-based, Software-as-a-Service B2B sales automation and Ecommerce services.

The company is a start-up, with the need to flex resources to optimize investment.  The ideal candidate will be familiar with web-based technologies and software-as-a-service offerings, with the ability to engage in develop/buy/license decisions so as to bring solutions to our customers with the right timeliness vs. profitability trade offs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Product Management:

• Be the customer advocate within the organization, based on knowledge of our customer’s business, our offerings, and competitive offerings.
• Determine where the “puck is going” – what are the near-term and long-term feature-sets or offerings required to grow our share in the segment.
• Work with Software Development to translate the feature-sets and offerings into user stories for scrum-based product development.
• Plan and execute releases of new feature-sets/offerings, to include scope, pricing, timing, messaging, documentation (we used video-based training today), upgrade schedules, etc.
• Determine best-practice Customer Service structure and practice for a Software-as-a-Service company. Propose any needed structural changes with associated cost/impact/benefit.
• Participate in business planning – create realistic projections as to how / when feature-sets and offerings will drive revenue for the company, and cooperatively determine trade-offs from a cost/benefit perspective to maximize growth in a resource-constrained environment.
• Create a long-term product roadmap, with an eye on innovation and emerging technologies.
• Collaborate with Sales leadership in support of their initiatives: competitive benchmarking, messaging plans to prospects and installed base, pricing promotions to meet sales goals, etc.

Marketing Communications:

• Support the enhancement of our existing web presence to drive awareness and sales velocity.
• Ensure the branding and messaging is on-target and aligns with business vision. Support the communication of branding and messaging internally and externally with efficiency, creativity, and impact.
• Support the creation of compelling product marketing that establishes key features and benefits, motivating sales inquiry and ultimate product purchase. (website content, sales tools)

Leadership:

• Proactively work with all functions to ensure company success.
• Collaborate with Finance and executive team to determine and track success metrics for the company.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor s degree from an accredited university required.
• Master’s degree (Technical or Business) preferred.
• Proven track record of launching and managing multiple successful enterprise B2B product lines, preferably in a Software-as-a-Service environment.
• Analytical mindset – understanding of value drivers and metrics in a recurring revenue business model.
• 10 or more years of related work experience.
• Thrive on and excel in a start-up culture and entrepreneurial environment.
• Impeccable followup, strong sense of urgency, ability to drive outcome.
• Experience developing, motivating, and mentoring cross-functional teams to set and meet ambitious goals.
• Personal awareness – ability to recognize strengths and weaknesses in self and others; use this knowledge to optimize performance of internal and external resources.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

The company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Join our team

If you want to join our team, please send us an email with your cover letter, resume and portfolio to jobs@aleran.com. We look forward to hearing from you!