The Product & Innovation is a highly dynamic, innovative and entrepreneurial department, with the exciting responsibility for developing and executing a product strategy that brings life-changing impact products & services to VITALITE customers while meeting the business goals of the company.
This is a cross-functional department working closely with all VITALITE departments to develop products that are both commercially and operationally viable, and support departments to ensure the product portfolio is delivered effectively.
This team is accountable for our product portfolio throughout its lifecycle at all stages; from research, supplier
assessment, development, testing, piloting, launch, refinement and end-of-life and makes sure our portfolio of
offers delivers maximum value for our customers, remains competitive and meets the needs of the business.
The Product & Innovation Representative will play a key role offloading the dept manager through being involved in a diversity of tasks as needed in existing product management, internal department support and new product development. There are great opportunities over time for specialisation in product management of specific products, research and new product development.
What does the role involve?
The successful applicant will be responsible for:
1. Organise product documentation and portfolio overview
a. Ensure there is up-to-date product information and documentation for each existing product
b. Ensure all required documentation is attained and in place for new products
c. Maintain and update documentation showing the product portfolio pricing, specifications and other relevant information
d. Organise the documentation on google drive
2. Support internal departments
a. Provide access to and share product information and documentation for internal stakeholders as needed
b. Be first point of contact for internal inquiries on product support
c. Provide direct support on product related inquiries internally and escalate where necessary
d. Keep track of all product support requirements and ensure queries are resolved timely
3. Collect data on existing Product portfolio
a. By designing and running surveys, focus groups and seeking feedback from sales teams
4. Support New product development
a. Support the development of new products by helping design and carry out competitor analysis, market research, hold meetings with existing and potential suppliers, customer surveys and pilots.
5. Support Competitor analysis and research
a. Conduct periodic research on competitors by gathering information on pricing, presale, and after-sale services, strengths, and weaknesses and product packaging/bundling
b. Work closely with the customer care and national sales team to conduct customer or agent product feedback surveys
c. Maintain and populate a competitor analysis database
6. Run clean cooking projects
a. Manage Donor funded clean cooking projects such as A2C with specific targets and milestones on capacity development, training, marketing, sensitization and or sales.
b. Ensure project reporting and coordination of internal and external stakeholders, management of projects through GANTT or similar project management tools.
c. Conduct Market research and competitor analysis of the clean cooking space in the Zambian Market and identify business partnership opportunities.
7. Run agricultural projects
a. Such as partnerships with innovative business models to deploy agricultural products or donor funded agricultural projects with specific targets on capacity development, training, marketing, sensitization or sales.
b. Ensure project reporting and coordination of internal and external stakeholders, management of projects through GANTT or similar project management tools.
8. Assist the Manager with agricultural products and pilots
a. Manage existing agricultural products in portfolio, including solar irrigation products, post-harvest storage bags, water additives and seed input by assessing sales performance, market potential, sales strategy and sales channels used, marketing needs, training requirements, customer satisfaction and product technical performance. Find ways to scale products that are viable.
b. Introduce new products through running limited pilots to analyse performance and viability of products. Manage pilots by following up on feedback from sales staff and customers and liaising with product suppliers for support and ideas.
What sort of person will excel in this role?
This person needs to have a passion for technology and products, and a desire to understand how all products in the portfolio works by studying technical manuals and specifications and other documentation. The person should be highly organised, improving the organisation of product knowledge, information and documentation and utilising this structure to provide fast internal support and expertise on product matters. Based on this knowledge the person will assist in finding new products and suppliers to innovate and broaden the portfolio, through research, comparisons, supplier meetings, arranging surveys and ways of improving the existing products. A strong commercial acumen is also valuable to understand and contribute to product development and decision making.
Qualifications and Skills:
Degree or diploma in a relevant field such as Engineering, product management/design or business
administration
1-3 years of Experience in a relevant field such as Product management, product development or retail
sales
Strong Literacy in Microsoft Office/Google suite products, in particular Microsoft Excel/Google
Spreadsheet
Ability to effectively communicate with multiple departments and external stakeholders.
Excellent organisational and time management skills.
Familiarity with the product development process and market research is advantageous.
Very curious, eager to learn and possess a strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to grasp and explain technical issues to technical and nontechnical employees.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Proficient with or the ability to quickly learn and use an array of CRM platforms
Language(s):
– English
– Any local Zambian language
To apply for this job email your details to recruitment@vitalitegroup.com
Closing Date : 30th May, 2024.
