At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in shaping product strategy and driving technical excellence.
- Company: Join Brother, a global leader in innovation with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous holiday, and industry-leading pension.
- Other info: Travel opportunities across Europe to explore local cultures.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your leadership skills in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Technical expertise and team management experience are essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Audenshaw, Manchester (Hybrid - 2 days on site per week)
A note from the Hiring Manager
This role sits at the centre of a lot of what makes the Product Strategy team successful.
It requires someone with real technical credibility, who takes ownership without needing to be asked, who makes decisions others can rely on, and who genuinely enjoys helping a team succeed as much as succeeding personally.
You'll be managing a specialist team across product, technical enablement, and presales.
That means owning priorities, developing people, and being trusted to make the calls that matter.
It also means being confident enough to say, "I don't know yet" and structured enough to do something about it.
Technical credibility matters here.
Our European offices genuinely depend on us, and this role is often the point where complex issues get resolved properly.
In my own experience, the "At your side" culture at Brother is real.
Your voice is respected, ownership is welcomed, and high performing people are recognised.
You'll be leading a small, experienced Product Strategy team that works closely together, challenges each other honestly, and values openness and doing things properly.
This role will require travel, and you will be encouraged to enjoy the locations and local culture, with support from colleagues across Europe and beyond.
If a leadership role is on your horizon, and you enjoy developing others and being trusted with real responsibility, in a company and team that genuinely cares about its people, that's the opportunity on offer.
About Brother
Brother is a global brand, delivering products and services to customers worldwide with manufacturing and sales facilities in over 40 countries and regions.
Since being established in 1908 as a sewing machine repair business, the Brother Group has grown to be at the forefront of innovation in its history of more than 110 years.
Underlying all activities is our "At your side" spirit, which always places our customers first.
We do this with a customer-first attitude and commitment to the circular economy, ensuring minimal impact on the environment through our "At your side 2030" vision and environmentally conscious approach.
Brother International Europe (BIE) is the European Headquarters for the Brother Group.
We work alongside 20 European offices and are responsible for shaping and supporting the pan-European strategy.
Our teams provide expertise across product, logistics, environmental strategy, IT, finance and operations.
As an Investors in People organisation, BIE are committed to the growth and development of our people, reflected in how roles are designed and supported.
About the Role
To support the definition and execution of the European product strategy by leading the delivery of product, technical enablement, pre-sales support, and team activities across the Product Strategy function.
The role is accountable for managing and developing the Product Strategy team, ensuring effective planning, prioritisation, and execution of product, training, and pre-sales activities across European sales offices.
The Product Strategy Assistant Manager maintains high standards of technical knowledge, training direction, and pre-sales capability, and acts as a senior escalation point for complex technical and commercial issues.
The role works in close partnership with the Product Strategy Manager, supporting prioritisation, operational delivery, and continuity of departmental leadership.
- Training & Development
- Product &Technical Knowledge
- Client Focus
- Fostering Communication
- Product & Service Development
- Decision Making & Problem Solving
- Lead and manage the Product Strategy team, comprising product and solution specialists, providing clear direction, prioritisation and day-to-day support to deliver business objectives.
- Take ownership of team performance and development by setting clear objectives, conducting regular check ins with feedback, supporting professional development and managing other employee-related processed.
- Plan, prioritise and coordinate team activities across product, training and pre-sales workstreams, ensuring effective and timely delivery in line with departmental objectives.
- Provide expert technical leadership and guidance on complex enquiries across hardware, firmware, networking, security and solution integration, providing guidance and resolution where appropriate.
- Provide senior-level pre-sales support to sales teams across Europe, acting as a key escalation point for technical and commercial enquiries whilst ensuring effective outcomes aligned to product strategy.
- Own the direction, depth, and consistency of technical training and enablement across the Product Strategy function, ensuring appropriate balance between detailed technical capability and awareness-level knowledge.
- Guide, review and ensure the quality and technical accuracy of product, training and pre-sales outputs delivered by the team.
- Support and guide the team to ensure high standards of technical judgement, clear communication and consistent delivery
- Collaborate with the Product Strategy Manager to align team priorities with product strategy, supporting effective delivery and operational execution of departmental objectives.
- Act as the senior liaison between Brother Industries Ltd (BIL) and third-party partners for technical, solutions and enablement-related topics to ensure alignment with European strategy.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of Product Strategy processes, standards and capability alongside identifying opportunities to improve consistency, efficiency and effectiveness across all workstreams.
- Recognised technical industry qualification or equivalent relevant experience in a senior technical, pre-sales, or product‑related role
- Demonstrable experience operating as a trusted technical authority, able to make and support decisions across a broad range of technical and commercial topics
- Experience managing a team and/or functional area, including performance management, prioritisation, and development of team members
- Extensive experience supporting or delivering technical training, enablement, or pre-sales activities within a complex, multi‑stakeholder environment
- Proven ability to plan, prioritise, and coordinate multiple activities across a team, ensuring effective and timely delivery of outputs
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences, including colleagues whose first language may not be English
- Proven ability to apply sound judgement to complex or ambiguous situations, balancing technical, commercial, and operational consideration.
- What's on Offer
As well as a competitive salary, BIE offer a range of benefits
- Hybrid & Flexible Working options
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays (plus option to buy 5 extra)
- Industry-leading pension (up to 10% company contribution
- Life Assurance & health cash plan
- Free parking, EAP, social events, environmental days & more
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Assistant Manager, Product Strategy employer: Brother Europe
Brother Europe in Audenshaw is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With flexible working options and a competitive salary, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance while having access to numerous benefits and opportunities for professional growth in the digital landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Manager, Product Strategy
✨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 Brother Europe!
✨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 Brother Europe 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 Brother Europe through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Manager, Product Strategy
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Assistant Manager, Product Strategy, 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 Assistant Manager, Product Strategy position at Brother Europe. 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 Brother Europe
✨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.
