Freelance Product Manager (software)

To strengthen our flexibility

We support ambitious SaaS organisation in their growth. We work together as a team of specialists, with people with different talents and backgrounds. You can read how we do that on our website

We are growing ourselves, so we need extra brains to help out these clients. We are looking for Product managers who can jump in when our requests are piling up.

We're looking for

Someone who keeps their head cool while synthesising business, user and technological contexts. You'll work remotely with the existing design team of specialists with different backgrounds. You will work closely with our clients in their struggles to get great digital products.

What will you be doing?

• Understand the existing (product) organisation and situation of our clients.

• Listen and ask questions about marketing and sales, pricing, business vision, product vision, user research, documentation, prototyping, user validation, measurement, governance, team, and roadmap.

• Perform user research and choose the proper method for each case:

  • Interviewing

  • Shadowing

  • Analysing metrics (e.g. Mix Panel, Amplitude, or Google Analytics)

  • Describing user problems into How Might We's

• Formulate needed changes

  • For product vision, user research, documentation, prototyping, user validation, measurement, governance, team and roadmap.

  • In the form of processes: meetings, documentation and roles

  • Saying 'no, that is not a good idea' and being able to explain why in a diplomatic way

• Install these changes on the business and tech side

  • MVP definitions

  • Inject product knowledge: lean, user-centred design, research, the mum test, sales vs product, etc.

  • Creating documentation together: feature passports

  • Having conversations with CTOs and developers

  • Manage the design team changes and help them to support the new product organisation

  • Set up and follow up on the appropriate documentation

Don’t hesitate to apply if you don’t fulfil 100% of the requirements. Superheroes don’t exist; people with passion and talent do!

People skills

• You communicate clearly in English (via digital channels and in real life)

• You can understand and adapt to the client's context

• You actively search for user input and challenge the information you find; you don't hesitate to ask questions if things are not clear

• You know how to implement changes within organisations with different degrees of resistance in a diplomatic way

• You can adapt to different processes, and you feel comfortable working with startup clients with different challenges and contexts

• You document everything in such a way that everybody can understand what is happening and why

• You do what you promise and you take ownership of tasks. You always aim for the best quality within the constraints of timing and budget

• You actively and consistently strive to expand your knowledge

• You are well organised and manage your work efficiently

Product skills

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in a similar role

• Experience with the process of creating digital products

• You can research the needs of users and validate a concept with them

• You have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills

• Knowledge of usability and a comprehensive understanding of digital design

• Comprehensive knowledge of product metrics

Bonus points

• You have created a product roadmap before

• You can speak and write in Dutch (for some of our clients)

• Experience with business processes and models

• You have start-up experience

• You have a business management, design, software development, or psychology background.

Also important

You live and work in the range of time zones CET-02:00 and CET+02:00. If you are not a Belgian citizen, you will always be hired as an independent subcontractor.

What will you be offered?

• At Smooth Sailing, you will work in a small team with great people (that's what everyone says). We make time for weekly feedback moments and pick the projects you work on based on your skill level and learning path.

• We offer monthly money in the bank and all the sleep you need. You mostly choose when and where you work.

• Occasional (onsite) team events

Divers team = Good products

We care about people, and we want the diversity of the world to be reflected in the DNA of our company. That's why we welcome people of any gender, race, age, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, with or without disabilities.

We believe different points of view lead to better products, and more diversity in all areas results in a better team.

So, don’t hold back on applying!