At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy and development for cutting-edge optical fibre solutions.
- Company: Join AFL, a global leader in optical fibre network infrastructure since 1984.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a focus on team development.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the tech industry while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and 5+ years in product marketing or development required.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Founded in 1984, AFL is an industry-recognized global leader in optical fiber network infrastructure. Our customer-first, high-speed fiber network solutions serve various markets – including energy, enterprise, and hyperscale – across 130+ countries. Products and services include single- and multi-mode optical fiber cable, test and inspection equipment, and our award-winning Data Center Interconnect solution, enabling centralized resource management for enhanced performance across multiple data center facilities.
Key responsibilities:
- Define and execute product line strategy, roadmaps, pricing, and portfolio priorities.
- Lead new product development and commercialization, from market requirements through launch.
- Manage the full product lifecycle, including investment, enhancement, repositioning, or retirement decisions.
- Own product line business performance, including revenue, margin, profitability, and corrective actions.
- Enable sales success through training, content, tools, market insights, and customer-facing support.
- Build strategic partnerships with customers, partners, rack manufacturers, and emerging companies.
- Lead cross-functional alignment across engineering, operations, sales, marketing, finance, and support.
- Manage and develop PLM talent, driving accountability, execution, and improved ways of working.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Engineering, Science, Business Administration, or related field.
- 5+ years’ experience in product marketing, product development, or related field.
- Strong project management skills.
- Product Management/Marketing expertise, including market trends/analysis, NPI process, product roadmap development, product life-cycle management.
- Experience working effectively within a matrix environment.
- Data Center Ecosystem Experience: knowledge of the overall environment and infrastructure within data centers, including the different components and how they interact (e.g., networking equipment, rack power distribution, and cooling).
- Proven track record of successfully establishing initial engagement with companies, driving productive collaborations and fostering successful partnerships.
- Moderate travel is required.
- Ability to work extended hours to accommodate global operations may be required.
- Occasional flexibility may be required to support global stakeholders across time zones.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams, including setting clear goals, providing structured coaching, and driving accountability within a matrixed environment.
- Proven ability to influence and lead cross-functional stakeholders at multiple organizational levels, driving alignment, decision-making, and execution in fast-moving or evolving business conditions.
This role will be based in Milton Keynes on a hybrid working arrangement.
Product Line Manager Lead in Milton Keynes employer: AFL
AFL is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, AFL offers numerous opportunities for professional development and career advancement, particularly in the fast-evolving field of optical fiber network infrastructure. Located in Milton Keynes, employees benefit from a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while being part of a global leader in technology solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Line Manager Lead in Milton Keynes
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like AFL!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at AFL would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at AFL through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Line Manager Lead in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Line Manager Lead, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Product Line Manager Lead position at AFL. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at AFL
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
