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Sample Job Description: Product Manager


We are looking for a Product Manager to lead the design and development of our products. This role is a key strategic position responsible for the success of the product in the field. As the product requires a deep technical understanding of customer environments and applications, the individual must be comfortable working closely with sales, marketing, development, QA, support, and operations teams. The role reports to the VP of Product Management.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES IN PRIORITY ORDER:

  • Drive the strategic agenda for the product line with executive staff, Engineering, Sales, Operations and other departments
  • Define product strategy and direction; define and prioritize product requirements, features and functionality; develop product roadmaps; recommend product direction
  • Meet with customers, field, business partners and other industry sources to identify functional requirements
  • Write product requirements documents (MRD/PRD) that enable the company to deliver leadership products
    • while continuing to satisfy tactical needs
  • Work with development groups during the development cycle to ensure the product meets customer requirements

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Represent the company at conferences and trade shows; interface with industry analysts
  • Work with corporate marketing to create internally and externally focused product collateral and to define the product message

WORK AND INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

  • 5+ years product management experience preferably in start-up companies with responsibilities spanning inbound product management and product marketing Solid understanding of product management processes
  • Know how to create MRDs/PRDs, perform competitive analysis, feature/function prioritization and assessment
  • Must be a very capable communicator and be comfortable working with a wide variety of corporate executives, sales, marketing, engineering, operations, customers and business partner
  • Proven teamwork and people management skills; excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
  • Business focus with strong technical background; well developed analytical skills; excellent project management skills
  • Ability to formulate product marketing business plans, competitive analysis and product marketing requirement documents

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES THAT WILL DISTINGUISH A CANDIDATE

  • Experience as a product manager for an ASP (e.g. SalesForce.com), or other hosted, web-based applications
  • Experience working with large, strategic channel partners, such as HP, IBM, EMC, etc.
  • Experience with messaging, email, or instant messaging solutions
  • Experience with disaster recovery products, such as systems backup and recovery

   ►Read the chapter on Product Marketing and Product Management
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