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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy and vision to enhance school dining experiences.
- Company: Join CRB Cunninghams, the UK's top cashless catering provider.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a chance to innovate in education.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with significant influence on company direction.
- Why this job: Shape the future of school dining with cutting-edge technology and AI.
- Qualifications: Proven senior product leadership experience and a passion for innovation.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
The Company
CRB Cunninghams is the UK’s leading provider of cashless catering, identity management, online payments, and nutritional analysis solutions, supporting more than 3,300 schools and colleges nationwide. With nearly 60 years of heritage, we employ over 100 dedicated professionals, including a national field service team delivering fast, expert support wherever it’s needed. We operate from offices in Headley (Birmingham) and Loanhead (Edinburgh). In recent years, CRB Cunninghams has experienced strong growth, driven by innovation, customer intimacy, operational excellence, and a clear, meaningful vision. Our purpose is simple and powerful: When children eat well and enjoy lunchtimes, they’re happier, healthier, and achieve more. Our strategy is to help schools deliver fully cashless dining experiences that enable anonymous free-school-meal access, streamline operations, and accelerate the provision of nutritious meals.
The Role
The Chief Product Officer (CPO) is responsible for defining and executing CRB Cunninghams’ product vision, strategy, and roadmap, including the responsible adoption of AI and automation to improve customer outcomes and long-term differentiation. This role ensures our products deliver clear customer value, support commercial growth, and align with the company’s long-term strategic objectives. The CPO acts as the bridge between customers, partners, commercial leadership, and technology, owning the full product lifecycle from discovery through delivery and continuous improvement. This is a senior leadership role with significant influence over company direction, reporting at executive level.
Key Responsibilities
- Product Strategy & Vision
- Define and own the product vision, strategy, and long-term roadmap
- Ensure product direction aligns with CRBC’s business strategy and growth ambitions
- Identify new product opportunities, enhancements, and market expansion potential
- Set the direction for how AI and automation are embedded across the product portfolio to remove operational friction and create defensible value
- Customer Intimacy & Market Insight
- Build a deep understanding of customer needs, workflows, and pain points
- Use market research, customer feedback, and data insights to guide product decisions
- Monitor competitor offerings and industry trends to maintain differentiation
- Align product strategy with key partners, including school caterers
- Product Delivery & Lifecycle Management
- Own the full product lifecycle: ideation, prioritisation, development, launch, and optimisation
- Work closely with R&D and delivery teams to ensure high-quality, timely releases
- Balance short-term delivery priorities with long-term scalability, resilience, and sustainability
- Commercial & Financial Impact
- Partner with sales, marketing, and leadership to drive revenue growth and retention
- Shape product pricing and positioning alongside commercial leaders
- Track and report on product performance, ROI, and success metrics
- Leadership & Governance
- Lead, develop, and mentor the product management function
- Establish clear product processes, prioritisation frameworks, and governance
- Act as a senior product voice at executive and board level
Key Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in a senior product leadership role (CPO, Head of Product, Product Director, or similar)
- Strong track record delivering successful B2B products (software or technology-enabled services)
- Commercially minded, with experience linking product decisions to revenue and growth
- Excellent stakeholder management across technical and non-technical teams
- Experience applying AI, automation and advanced data capabilities to improve workflows and customer outcomes
- Comfortable operating in a growing, evolving organisation
Desirable Experience
- Background in SaaS, EdTech, and/or payments
- Experience in regulated, professional services, or compliance-driven environments
- Experience scaling products and teams in a growth-focused business
What Success Looks Like
- A clear, well-communicated product strategy aligned to business goals and purpose
- Products that customers value, adopt, and actively recommend
- AI and automation embedded into core products and workflows in ways that measurably add extra value, reduce customer effort and operational cost
- Predictable, high-quality product delivery
- Strong collaboration across leadership, commercial, and technical teams
- Be at the forefront of transforming how schools operate canteens and deliver better lunchtime experiences for children
- Shape the future direction of a market-leading product portfolio
- High-impact role with executive visibility and influence
- Collaborative culture with genuine scope to innovate and lead
Chief Product Officer (CRBC UK) in Birmingham employer: EWS Group
Contact Detail:
EWS Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Product Officer (CRBC UK) in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching CRB Cunninghams thoroughly. Understand their products, values, and recent developments. This will help us tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Chief Product Officer.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. We want you to shine when discussing your vision for product strategy and customer intimacy.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the position and the company. Remember, we’re all about making connections!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Product Officer (CRBC UK) in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about the opportunity to shape the future of our products and make a real difference in schools.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience that aligns with the Chief Product Officer role. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've successfully led product strategies and delivered value in previous positions.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on communicating your ideas effectively. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at CRB Cunninghams.
How to prepare for a job interview at EWS Group
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into CRB Cunninghams' mission and values. Understand their product offerings and how they impact schools and colleges. This knowledge will help you align your vision with theirs and show that you're genuinely interested in their work.
✨Showcase Your Product Leadership Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous roles in product leadership. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully defined product strategies or led teams through product lifecycles. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact on revenue growth and customer satisfaction.
✨Emphasise Customer Intimacy
Prepare to talk about how you've built a deep understanding of customer needs in past roles. Share examples of how you've used market research and customer feedback to drive product decisions. This will resonate well with their focus on customer intimacy and market insight.
✨Discuss AI and Automation Integration
Since the role involves embedding AI and automation into products, come prepared with ideas on how these technologies can enhance customer outcomes. Discuss any relevant experience you have in this area, and be ready to brainstorm innovative solutions during the interview.