Assistant Manager, Product Strategy

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
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