At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to transform product onboarding and data governance using digital technology.
- Company: Join RS, a global leader in product and service solutions.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to innovation and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on product speed to market and customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in digital transformation required.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
Location: This is a hybrid role, offering a combination of being able to work remotely and from any of our UK Offices (Manchester, Corby or London Kings Cross).
Contract Type: Permanent
The Opportunity
Managing a team of 20 NPI and data governance professionals across our UK and Riga Offices, the Head of NPI and Data Governance will provide strategic and operational oversight to:
- Ensure supplier data is onboarded efficiently, and advise and lead the business in its cross-functional system, process and data model requirements, with a continuous improvement mindset, to increase product speed to market and product growth capability.
What You Will Be Doing
- Leading business transformation to deliver improved Supplier product onboarding using digital technology to create advanced automated product introduction processes.
- Proactively manage the product lifecycle process from product introduction through to discontinuation.
- Responsible for data governance and delivery of accurate product data to protect customers and minimise business risk. The product data created supports all channels to market to aid customer research and buying decisions.
- Introducing appropriate levels of automation and digital solutions to enable scalable growth of the RS product range whilst reducing the cost to serve.
- Reduce the time to market <7 days to ensure we have market leading launch plans and achieve high quality data and content standards.
- Drive continuous improvement in product launch and lifecycle management, through the proactive use of data and insight to manage internal and external stakeholder performance and improve the quality of inputs.
- Lead and develop a high performing team and CI culture.
- To work with solutions architecture and IT to bridge the gap between business and technical understanding, to deliver a to-be technical architecture for product introduction and maintenance that is flexible enough to deliver on an evolving content strategy for the next decade.
- To provide thought leadership and counsel to introduce content briefing, standards management, and acquisition capability both internally and with suppliers to a level beyond the current industry standard.
- To lead and drive understanding of the cost to serve NPI, its net performance both commercially and against adherence to the purposes set out in the category and market strategies.
What You’ll Bring
- High technical competence with extensive digital know how and knowledge of enterprise level Content systems (PIM, DAM, CMS and ERP).
- Strong leadership capability and experience of large-scale business change and transformation.
- Proven track record of process design and process re-engineering.
- Excellent strategic thinking capability and ability to execute plans through the team and 3rd party partners.
- Experience of managing large offshore partners and relative supplier performance using KPIs and leading QBR process.
- Ability to work proactively and collaboratively with a large, diverse mix of internal and external, global stakeholders.
- Strong analytical and data driven mindset.
- Excellent knowledge of continuous improvement methodology and application.
- Budget responsibility including - managing overhead costs and £multi-million NPI sales and multi-million customer views.
We Are RS
At RS, we are making amazing happen for a better world. As a global product and service solutions provider, we help industrial customers operate more efficiently and sustainably. Operating in 33 markets, we support around one million customers worldwide with more than 875,000 stocked products, access to over five million additional products, and a range of service solutions designed to help businesses thrive.
What sets us apart is our people. More than 8,500 colleagues around the world bring technical expertise, digital innovation, and a customer first mindset to everything we do. Guided by our values – We are one team, We deliver brilliantly, We do the right thing, and We make every day better, we're creating an environment where our people can grow, contribute and make a meaningful impact.
Join us and help make amazing happen.
Head of New Product Introduction & Data Governance in Manchester employer: RS Group
RS Group is an exceptional employer that champions inclusivity and diversity, making it a great place for professionals seeking meaningful work in a supportive environment. With a hybrid working model based in Corby, employees benefit from flexible arrangements, competitive rewards, and a strong focus on personal and professional growth, all while contributing to a company that has been innovating for over 80 years. Join a team that values curiosity, empathy, and the drive to make a real impact in the world.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of New Product Introduction & Data Governance 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 RS Group!
✨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 RS Group 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 RS Group through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of New Product Introduction & Data Governance in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Head of New Product Introduction & Data Governance, 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 Head of New Product Introduction & Data Governance position at RS Group. 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 RS Group
✨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.
