At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive growth and innovation in the Workshop Tools category with a focus on product lifecycle management.
- Company: Join Alliance Automotive Group, a leading distributor in the automotive aftermarket across Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth within one of Europe's largest automotive businesses.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic business while managing a key product category.
- Qualifications: Experience in product or category management with strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Alliance Automotive Group (AAG) is a leading distributor of passenger and commercial vehicle parts to the independent automotive aftermarket in Europe. It operates in France, the U.K., Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Hungary and Romania. AAG’s network serves thousands of customers across Europe supported by a logistics infrastructure of 75 Distribution Centres, approximately 2,550 Stores and thousands of vehicle repairers, body shops and auto-centres.
We are seeking a commercially minded Product Manager to take ownership of our Workshop Tools category. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Product Manager, Category Manager or Commercial Manager to join a market-leading organisation and play a key role in driving category growth, supplier partnerships, product development and profitability.
Reporting into the Head of Category, you will be responsible for the complete product lifecycle, from identifying new opportunities and launching innovative products through to range optimisation and end-of-life management. You will work closely with suppliers, technical teams, sales, marketing and key stakeholders across the business to ensure the category remains competitive, profitable and aligned with market demands.
Key Responsibilities- Develop and execute category growth strategies.
- Analyse market trends, customer demand and competitor activity.
- Identify opportunities for range expansion, rationalisation and innovation.
- Monitor category sales, margin and performance metrics.
- Deliver recommendations to improve profitability and market share.
- Own the complete product lifecycle from introduction through to end-of-life.
- Lead new product introductions and range development projects.
- Ensure accurate product data and maintenance of ERP systems.
- Manage product pricing, positioning and market competitiveness.
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships.
- Conduct supplier performance reviews and benchmarking exercises.
- Work collaboratively with suppliers to identify growth opportunities and new product solutions.
- Support commercial negotiations and category planning activities.
- Maintain accurate product cataloguing and application data.
- Work alongside technical teams to develop product information, technical content and product guides.
- Support the resolution of technical and product-related enquiries.
- Partner with Marketing to develop category campaigns and product launches.
- Support Sales teams with product training, category insight and commercial opportunities.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure successful execution of category initiatives.
Within your first 12 months you will:
- Deliver profitable growth across the Workshop Tools category.
- Successfully introduce new product ranges and innovations.
- Improve category performance through data-driven decision making.
- Strengthen supplier relationships and commercial outcomes.
- Enhance product data quality and catalogue coverage.
We are looking for an individual who combines commercial awareness, analytical thinking and strong relationship management skills.
Essential- Experience within Product Management, Category Management or a commercial product-focused role.
- Strong analytical and commercial skills.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel capability.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
- Experience within the automotive aftermarket.
- Knowledge of workshop tools, garage equipment or automotive products.
- Understanding of product cataloguing systems and ERP platforms.
- Technical knowledge of vehicle components and workshop environments.
- Opportunity to manage a strategically important category.
- Work for one of Europe's largest automotive aftermarket businesses.
- Exposure to leading global suppliers and brands.
- Career development opportunities within AAG and Genuine Parts Company.
- Collaborative and supportive working environment.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
If you are a commercially driven product professional looking to make a real impact within a dynamic and growing business, we'd love to hear from you.
Alliance Automotive Group is an equal opportunities employer.
Product Manager in Milton Keynes employer: Genuine Parts Company
Alliance Automotive Group (AAG) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment where employees can thrive in their careers. With a strong focus on professional development and exposure to leading global suppliers, AAG provides its team members with the opportunity to manage strategically important categories and make a significant impact in the automotive aftermarket industry. The company also boasts a competitive salary and benefits package, ensuring that employees feel valued and supported in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Manager in Milton Keynes
✨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 Genuine Parts Company!
✨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 Genuine Parts Company 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 Genuine Parts Company through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Manager in Milton Keynes
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 Genuine Parts Company. 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 Genuine Parts Company
✨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.
