W2 only - Product Manager

Job Title: Product Manager

Location: Fairfield, NJ (Onsite - Hybrid - 3 days in a week)

Position Type: Contract position

Responsibilities:

Agile Software Development:

• Lead the product development process utilizing Agile methodologies.
• Collaborate closely with the software development team to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of features and improvements.
• Collaborate with QA to establish clear acceptance criteria and quality benchmarks for features and product releases, ensuring alignment with the product vision and customer expectations.
• Prepare clear and concise release notes for each product update, highlighting new features, improvements, and bug fixes, and ensuring that stakeholders are informed of the latest changes.
• Involve QA early in the development cycle to review test plans, participate in sprint planning, and ensure that testing phases are integrated smoothly into the product development process.
• Work with QA to define and oversee UAT processes, ensuring that the final product meets the agreed-upon criteria before it is released to users.

Team Management:

• Manage and mentor a team of software developers, providing guidance, support, and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and delivery on product objectives.

Requirements Development:

• Work with business stakeholders to gather and prioritize product requirements, translating them into clear, actionable specifications for the development team.
• Drive the development of innovative solutions that enhance the company’s product offerings and address client needs.
• Create, maintain, and update detailed product documentation that covers technical specifications, feature descriptions, and use cases to ensure clarity and usability.

Business Communication:

• Serve as a bridge between the business and technical teams, ensuring that product development aligns with business goals.
• Regularly update business stakeholders on progress, challenges, and project timelines.

Client Interaction:

• Engage with external clients to understand their needs, gather feedback, and ensure that product solutions exceed their expectations.
• Proactively address any client concerns and ensure a smooth experience with Inception Company’s products.

Operational Excellence:

• Articulate requirements and documentation in a clear, concise, and detailed manner following best practices.
• Proactively prioritize and maintain the technical infrastructure, ensuring that products are reliable and free from issues during client use.
• Write and structure user guides that are easy to follow, providing step-by-step instructions, screenshots, and examples to help users understand and effectively use the product.
• Develop and regularly update a comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to address common user queries and provide quick resolutions.
• Conduct training sessions and develop materials to educate support teams on new product features and updates, enabling them to provide informed assistance to customers.

Strategic Planning:

• Collaborate with leadership to set product strategy, identify opportunities for growth, and develop roadmaps that align with company goals.
• Stay updated on industry trends and technological advancements to inform product development and maintain a competitive edge.

Nice to Have:

Experience with Live Virtual Events:

• Experience in managing and supporting live virtual events, ensuring seamless execution and high-quality delivery.

Product and Service Management:

• Experience handling both products and services, with a focus on creating value and maintaining quality standards.

E-commerce and Shopping Cart Experience:

• Familiarity with creating and managing shopping cart experiences, integrating e-commerce features, and understanding the nuances of online transactions.

B2B Enterprise-Class Product Knowledge:

• Understanding of B2B enterprise-class products, including the challenges and expectations of high-level corporate clients.

Customer Service and Quality Focus:

• Strong understanding of customer service requirements and the quality standards necessary to maintain client satisfaction in a competitive market.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in product management, with a focus on software products.
• Strong understanding of Agile software development practices.
• Proven experience managing and leading software development teams.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface with business stakeholders and external clients.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a focus on quality and deadlines.
• Experience with virtual communication tools or platforms is a plus.