At a Glance
- Tasks: Support user research, backlog refinement, and collaborate with teams to shape product direction.
- Company: Down-to-earth, product-led business in Manchester with a focus on growth.
- Benefits: Hands-on experience, strong foundation for career growth, and a collaborative environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to grow into a Product Manager or Product Owner role.
- Why this job: Gain real exposure across the product lifecycle and learn from experienced professionals.
- Qualifications: Some exposure to product environments and strong written communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 35000 £ per year.
Manchester (5 days onsite initially with a view to move to hybrid model once settled). I’m working with a down-to‑earth, product‑led business in Manchester that’s continuing to build out its product function properly. They’re now hiring an Associate Product Manager – a genuinely well‑rounded, junior product role where you’ll get exposure across the full product lifecycle. This isn’t a role where you’re just writing tickets. You’ll be working across both discovery and delivery, supporting Product Managers upstream and Product Owners downstream – learning how strong product teams actually operate.
What you’ll be doing:
- Supporting user research – interviews, analysing feedback, understanding real customer problems
- Turning insights into clear, structured outputs to help shape product direction
- Getting involved in early‑stage discovery and pitch work
- Supporting backlog refinement – writing user stories and acceptance criteria
- Working closely with engineering during sprints to keep things moving
- Tracking post‑release performance and understanding what’s working (and what’s not)
- Keeping product documentation clean, clear, and up to date
- Collaborating with design to ensure decisions are grounded in real user insight
What really matters:
- Some exposure to Product / BA / delivery environments
- Strong written communication – able to clearly structure thoughts and ideas
- Curious mindset – you naturally ask “why are we building this?”
- Organised and proactive – someone who takes ownership and follows things through
- Comfortable working across both discovery and delivery
Nice to have:
- Exposure to Agile / Scrum (or similar)
- Experience with tools like Jira / Confluence
- Any experience in SaaS, platforms, or operational systems
This role will give the right candidate a really strong foundation to grow into either a Product Manager or Product Owner over time. It’s a genuinely hands‑on role where you’ll learn by doing, not sitting on the sidelines.
Associate PM/PO employer: IO Associates
Contact Detail:
IO Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate PM/PO
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their products, values, and culture. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral – which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to product management. Think about how you’d approach user research or backlog refinement. The more you rehearse, the more confident you'll feel when it’s your turn to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interviews! A simple thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate PM/PO
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Product: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for product management shine through. We want to see that you're genuinely excited about the role and the chance to learn from our experienced team.
Be Clear and Concise: Strong written communication is key for us. Make sure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Avoid jargon and get straight to the point – we appreciate clarity!
Highlight Relevant Experience: Even if you’re at the start of your career, share any relevant experiences you have. Whether it’s a project, internship, or coursework, show us how it relates to the Associate PM/PO role and what you’ve learned.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at IO Associates
✨Know Your Product Lifecycle
Familiarise yourself with the product lifecycle and be ready to discuss how you can contribute at each stage. Think about examples from your past experiences where you've supported user research or helped shape product direction.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since strong written communication is key for this role, prepare to demonstrate how you can clearly structure your thoughts. Bring along a sample of your writing or documentation that showcases your ability to convey complex ideas simply.
✨Embrace Your Curiosity
This role values a curious mindset, so come prepared with questions that show your interest in the product and the company. Ask about their current challenges or how they gather user insights to inform product decisions.
✨Get Comfortable with Agile
If you have any experience with Agile or Scrum methodologies, be sure to highlight it. If not, do a bit of research beforehand so you can speak confidently about how these frameworks can enhance product delivery and team collaboration.