Product Manager

Product Manager - System Integrations

Are you passionate about driving seamless system integrations and managing supplier/vendor relationships to enhance business operations? Do you have a strong technical background with experience in API integrations, middleware, and automation platforms? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

About the Role

We are looking for a Product Manager for a distribution business to take the lead on integration strategy, ensuring systems work harmoniously across the business. You will be responsible for managing a team of integration specialists, collaborating with key stakeholders, and engaging with external vendors to implement scalable, high-performing integration solutions. Your leadership will help streamline operations and drive efficiency across our IT landscape.

What we offer:

• Up to £65k basic
• A discretionary bonus scheme based on company and personal performance (defined each year, usually around 10-12%)
• A hybrid work arrangement - 1 day a week in Manchester or Northampton office
• A pension scheme of 5% employer and 5% employee contribution
• Company shares scheme - once a year you can buy shares at a discounted rate and pay for these monthly over 3 years before cashing them in or getting your saved money back.
• Life Assurance
• 33 days holidays (including bank holidays)
• EAP
• Benefits portal providing discounts to many leading brands

Key Responsibilities

System Integration Leadership

• Own the integration platform strategy, ensuring seamless connections between internal and external systems.
• Oversee the development, deployment, and maintenance of integrations, APIs, and middleware solutions.
• Implement best practices for testable APIs, documented contracts, observability, and monitoring to enhance integration reliability.
• Lead build vs. buy decisions and oversee any RFP processes for new integration technologies.

Supplier & Vendor Management

• Collaborate with third-party vendors to evaluate and integrate external solutions effectively.
• Negotiate contracts and service agreements with integration providers.
• Ensure compliance with service-level agreements (SLAs) and vendor performance metrics.

Product & Roadmap Ownership

• Define and execute the integration product vision, aligning it with business objectives.
• Develop and manage a clear roadmap, translating high-level goals into a backlog of actionable work.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including development, infrastructure, and business stakeholders.

Collaboration & Business Engagement

• Act as a key liaison between IT and business stakeholders, understanding requirements and aligning integration solutions with business needs.
• Facilitate workshops to gather technical implementation requirements.
• Represent the department as a workstream lead on large-scale business transformation projects.

What We're Looking For

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong experience in system integrations, API management, and ETL processes.
• Proven track record in managing vendors and external suppliers for IT solutions.
• Hands-on experience with integration platforms (e.g., JAMS, SSIS, middleware, automation tools).
• Proficiency in Agile methodologies and backlog management.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts.
• Experience in defining and measuring business value through integrations.
• Leadership experience in managing technical teams and driving high performance.

Desirable Skills

• Exposure to AI-driven integrations and automation.
• Knowledge of IT governance and compliance within integration environments.
• Familiarity with DevOps and CI/CD practices for integration deployment.

Business Analyst / Product Manager / Project Manager / Systems Analyst