At a Glance
- Tasks: Help improve digital products and services for our customers every day.
- Company: Join Northern, the heartbeat of the North, transforming rail travel.
- Benefits: Enjoy free travel, generous pension, exclusive discounts, and tailored training.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team where everyone feels welcome.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in customer journeys with innovative digital solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in product management and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
JOB ROLE: Associate Product Manager - FTC 12 Months SALARY: £43,934 ROLE TYPE: Hybrid HOURS: Monday – Friday - 37 Hours CONTRACT: 12 Month FTC
LOCATION: Manchester/Leeds/York
Make a difference to our customers At Northern, we're here to make journeys better for our customers.
As an Associate Product Manager, you'll help us improve the digital products and services that our customers use every day.
Working as part of our Customer Experience Product team, alongside our Customer Product Managers, you'll turn customer insight, data and feedback into practical improvements — helping us deliver simple, useful and reliable digital experiences.
- What you'll be doing
- Supporting the development and delivery of our customer product roadmap.
- Turning customer needs, research and data into clear product requirements and user stories.
- Managing and prioritising elements of the product backlog.
- Working with Digital, IT, Operations, Marketing and Customer Experience teams to deliver improvements.
- Monitoring product performance through measures such as KPIs, OKRs and customer feedback.
- Supporting continuous improvement throughout the product lifecycle.
- Building strong relationships with internal teams, suppliers and technology partners.
- Helping identify new ideas, technologies and opportunities to improve the customer experience.
- Supporting budgets, business cases and supplier relationships to ensure we deliver value for money.
What you'll bring We're looking for someone with experience in product management, ideally with an understanding of the full product lifecycle and Agile delivery.
You'll be confident working with both technical and non-technical teams and able to turn complex information into clear, customer-focused outcomes.
You'll also have
- Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills.
- A data-driven and customer-focused approach.
- Experience using product tools such as Jira, Confluence, Trello or Miro.
- An understanding of UX/UI and digital or web/app development principles.
- Excellent organisation and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-moving environment.
- A passion for innovation and improving customer experiences.
Experience of the rail industry is useful, but it's not essential — what matters most is your curiosity, enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
What does success look like?
You'll help us deliver digital products that work for our customers, are delivered on time and continue to improve.
You'll keep priorities clear, work collaboratively with our teams and suppliers, and use customer feedback and data to help make better product decisions.
If you're passionate about customers, digital products and making a real difference to the journeys people take every day, we'd love to hear from you.
What’s in it for you?
At Northern, we don’t just value our people - we go the extra mile to support them.
Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to
- Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
- Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
- Enhanced Family Benefits: We offer 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
- Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
- Training and
- Career
Development: We offer tailored training to our colleagues and opportunities to gain recognised qualifications.
Plus enhanced career pathways no matter what part of the business you’re in.
- Recognition: We know how important it is to show how much we appreciate our people.
That’s why we have our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards, recognising and celebrating brilliance every day.
Why Northern?
We’re more than just a train operator.
We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth.
With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.
Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, beginning a journey that would transform travel across the world.
We’ve recently celebrated 200 years of the modern railway and, as we reflect on that legacy, our focus is now on the future as Great British Rail takes shape.
Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.
A place for everyone The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.
At Northern, we don’t just move people from A to B – we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong.
Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need.
We’re also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we’ll always offer an interview.
We automate parts of our screening process to remove any unconscious bias and to make sure every application is treated fairly.
All successful offers will be subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.
No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.
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Associate Product Manager - FTC 12 Months in Manchester employer: Northern
Northern is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the vibrant cities of York and Manchester. With a strong focus on employee growth and collaboration, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills while contributing to meaningful projects that enhance customer journeys. Our inclusive culture promotes innovation and teamwork, ensuring that every team member's voice is heard and valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Product Manager - FTC 12 Months in Manchester
✨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 Northern!
✨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 Northern 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 Northern through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Product Manager - FTC 12 Months in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Associate Product Manager - FTC 12 Months, 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 Associate Product Manager - FTC 12 Months position at Northern. 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 Northern
✨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.
