Sub-Product Owner (Chief Expert) - (Contract) - Gauteng/Hybr …, Midrand

We're seeking a strategic product leader with 10+ years of IT experience and proven expertise in Sub-Product or Product Owner roles with strong stakeholder management skills.

The ideal candidate has hands-on understanding of software development, DevOps practices, and production support responsibilities.

Demonstrable experience managing agile delivery, resource allocation across feature teams, and strategic product direction is essential. Strong Agile and DevOps mindset with ability to lead teams and manage complex international product portfolios is critical.

Lead and manage the JIT/JIS Outbound product, building and managing all Just-In-Time and Just-In-Sequence outbound processes for the global Group, driving strategic product direction and operational excellence!

Become the Chief Expert product leader guiding mission-critical logistics operations, where your strategic vision will define product scope, manage complex cross-country teams, and deliver transformational value across multiple organizations and business units!

Chief Expert-level product leadership with strategic stakeholder management and team direction

Hybrid and remote working flexibility with 1960 flexible annual hours

Global product ownership with end-to-end responsibility and international team coordination

POSITION: Contract: 01 August 2026 31 December 2028

EXPERIENCE: 10+ years IT experience with product management and stakeholder leadership

COMMENCEMENT: 01 August 2026

LOCATION: Hybrid: Midrand/Menlyn/Rosslyn/Home Office rotation

TEAM: Product Management - JIT/JIS Outbound

The JIT/JIS Outbound product manages all Just-In-Time and Just-In-Sequence related processes and information, from customer call-offs to call-offs into the delivery network through to creation of delivery documentation, ensuring seamless supply chain operations across the global Group.

Qualifications / Experience

Minimum mandatory qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in IT
• IT degree and/or relevant professional qualification

Essential Skills Requirements

Product Management:

• Strong ability to continuously prioritize and maintain a product backlog with well-defined acceptance criteria
• Experience making release/rework decisions based on evaluation of developed product scope and defined criteria

Technical Leadership:

• Technical leadership skills to guide feature teams and support technical quality, acting as first point of contact for product owners and operations teams

Resource Management:

• Experience allocating resources across feature teams, balancing capacity and customer benefit
• Proven track record of forecasting and planning resources in coordination with Product Owner and line management

Agile & DevOps:

• Strong Agile and DevOps mindset with hands-on experience supporting agile working models and improving team efficiency
• Experience supporting operational stability, maintenance, and continuous improvement of software/IT solutions in production

Stakeholder Management:

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills to collaborate with business and IT product owners across countries

Team Management:

• Ability to monitor team development progress, ensure timely completion of user stories, and escalate risks when timelines or deliverables are at risk

Soft Skills:

• Strategic thinking and vision
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities
• Excellent negotiation and influence skills
• Problem-solving capabilities at enterprise scale
• Above-board work ethics
• Ability to manage complex international operations

Advantageous Skills Requirements

• Interface experience with SAP systems
• Knowledge of SAP Warehouse/Logistic Processes (SAP EWM/WM/MM/PP)
• Familiarity with IT Service Management (ITSM) processes and tools
• Hands-on experience with Jira for backlog and issue management
• Experience supporting cross-country product activity (e.g., ZA, UK, MX, DE, CN)
• Knowledge of DevOps product management
• Experience improving agile processes and team dynamics through coaching and change support
• German Language Skills (Speak, Read, Write)

Role Requirements

Product Scope Management:

• Manage a clearly defined product scope including development, operation, and continuous improvement of software or IT solutions
• Continuously prioritise and maintain the product backlog aligned with customer requirements, market trends, and organisational goals
• Ensure backlog items are well-defined with clear acceptance criteria and a definition of done
• Evaluate developed product scope and decide on release or rework based on defined criteria

Resource & Team Management:

• Distribute resources across feature teams to maximize customer value and meet strategic objectives
• Monitor team progress, ensure timely completion of user stories, and escalate Sub-Product risks as needed
• Forecast and plan for resources, infrastructure, and licenses in coordination with Product Owner and Line Manager

Technical Leadership:

• Guide and support technical teams, serving as the technical point of contact for Product Owners and Line Managers
• Support operational stability, troubleshoot, and optimize processes to maintain production quality

Strategic Collaboration:

• Collaborate with Group AG business and IT Product Owners and cross-country colleagues to align product direction

Process & Continuous Improvement:

• Support internal change processes and further develop IT-relevant processes and agile working models
• Promote efficiency and effective self-organization within teams and support measures to improve team dynamics

NB:

South African citizens / residents are preferred. Applicants with valid work permits will also be considered. By applying, you consent to be added to the database and to receive updates until you unsubscribe. If you do not receive a response within 2 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.

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iSanqa is your trusted Level 2 BEE recruitment partner, dedicated to continuous improvement in delivering exceptional service. Specializing in seamless placements for permanent staff, temporary resources, and efficient contract management and billing facilitation, iSanqa Resourcing is powered by a team of professionals with an outstanding track record. With over 100 years of combined experience, we are committed to evolving our practices to ensure ongoing excellence.