At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive product development and manage customer interactions in a cutting-edge materials lab.
- Company: Innovative spin-out from the University of Leeds, specialising in auxetic polymer technology.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, work with advanced materials, and develop your professional skills.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for growth in a dynamic team environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of revolutionary technology and make a real impact on product development.
- Qualifications: Degree in materials science, physics, or chemistry; strong communication and management skills.
Auxetec Limited is a spin-out built around novel auxetic polymer technology developed at the University of Leeds. The company’s proprietary platform is based on the world’s first synthetic, molecular, auxetic Liquid Crystal Elastomers (LCE), enabling materials with unique mechanical and functional properties. This role is a unique opportunity to contribute to the technology programme and commercial development of Auxetec, as our novel products are sampled by customers and we respond to customer and market needs. It’s a blended role requiring both laboratory work and customer programme management. The individual must be comfortable in both environments.
A member of the company’s growing team of materials scientists, chemists and engineers – focussed on refining and improving the performance of our auxetic films in response to customer and market needs.
- Product development and testing in our Leeds laboratory
- First point of contact with customers for all sample requests and technical queries
- Ensuring that customer promises are met
- Programme management of customer joint development agreements
Experience
- Degree or higher qualification in a relevant scientific discipline (materials science, physics, chemistry)
- Laboratory work – materials preparation and testing
- Customer interactions independent of commercial staff in the business – programme management, sample management (delivery and feedback)
Special Features
- Must be willing to work 5 days / week in our Leeds laboratory – this is not a remote role
- Willing to travel to customer sites in UK, EU and North America
- Confident and articulate
- Previous experience of independent management of customer interactions
- Right to work in UK and able to travel visa-free to the USA
Product Manager in Reading employer: Auxetec Limited
Auxetec Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets collaboration. Located in Leeds, our team thrives on the unique blend of laboratory research and customer engagement, fostering both personal and professional growth. With a commitment to developing cutting-edge materials and a culture that values creativity and teamwork, Auxetec provides employees with meaningful opportunities to contribute to groundbreaking technology while enjoying a supportive and inclusive workplace.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Manager in Reading
✨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 Auxetec Limited!
✨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 Auxetec Limited 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 Auxetec Limited through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Manager, 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 Manager position at Auxetec Limited. 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 Auxetec Limited
✨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.
