Head of Product and Planning in London

This role sits at the heart of an exciting joint venture between Jameel Motors and GAC, established to introduce the AION range of intelligent electrified vehicles to the UK market. As part of the team, you will play a defining role in establishing and shaping the AION product strategy in the UK, ensuring the portfolio reflects the innovation, intelligence and ambition behind the brand. The Head of Product and Planning is more than a leadership role; it is an opportunity to directly influence how a new automotive brand is positioned, launched and grown within a highly competitive and rapidly evolving market.

About the Role

As Head of Product and Planning, you will take ownership of the UK product strategy end-to-end, leading the development, positioning and lifecycle management of AION’s model line-up. This is a highly strategic and hands-on role that blends deep market insight with commercial acumen and strong execution. You will translate complex data, competitive intelligence and customer insight into clear product direction, compelling messaging and actionable plans that drive commercial outcomes. Working closely with colleagues across Marketing, Sales, PR and senior leadership, as well as international stakeholders, you will ensure the UK product offering is competitive, compliant and aligned with both global strategy and local market expectations. You will also lead and develop a Product Manager, ensuring delivery against key milestones and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Set UK pricing and positioning for current and future models, using competitor benchmarking to identify opportunities, risks and optimal market placement.
• Lead the full product lifecycle, from market analysis and business case development through to launch planning and ongoing performance management.
• Define UK product localisation requirements, ensuring specifications, trim levels and option structures meet regulatory requirements and customer expectations.
• Collaborate with international teams, including GAC and research and development functions, to influence product development and ensure alignment to UK market needs.
• Oversee sales channel strategy, including retail, fleet and motability, defining pricing structures and financial offers to support margin and competitiveness.
• Support residual value setting through coordination with sales leadership and third-party valuation guides.
• Ensure homologation and compliance requirements are met for all UK market introductions.
• Lead launch planning activity, aligning cross-functional stakeholders and ensuring readiness across all phases from pre-launch through to market introduction.
• Use advanced data analysis to generate clear, compelling insights that inform business planning, strategy and stakeholder decision making.
• Partner with Marketing and Public Relations teams to track and report on campaign performance, ensuring product messaging is clear, consistent and impactful.
• Lead and develop the Product Manager while overseeing external support to ensure delivery, organisation and results.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a senior product or planning role within the automotive industry.
• Strong product knowledge and understanding of the UK automotive market, including competitive landscape and customer dynamics.
• Demonstrable experience of launching new models and ideally new brands into the UK market.
• Excellent analytical capability, with advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint and the ability to translate data into clear, compelling messaging.
• Experience working with international or overseas teams, influencing stakeholders across different markets and functions.
• Commercially focused, with a strong understanding of sales channels, pricing structures and finance models.
• Confident communicator, able to articulate strategy, influence decisions and drive alignment at all levels.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment, combining strategic oversight with hands-on delivery and a focus on outcomes.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to shape and lead the future product roadmap of a major new automotive brand in the UK.
• Play a visible role in the launch and growth of AION in a highly dynamic market.
• Competitive compensation package, including a company car scheme.
• Hybrid working model.
• Health and wellbeing support through our partnership with the automotive charity BEN.