Portfolio Product Manager (Growth)

Company Description

iKhokha is a place where chance-takers become change-makers. 

At iKhokha, we believe in better. As you'd expect, our pace is fast-moving and ever-changing. We like it that way. As one of the fastest-growing FinTech's in Africa, we've built a team of global change-makers who want to make an impact. If you believe in a better future, be a chance-taker and help us empower small businesses in South Africa.

Job Description

Join the iK Tribe as a Portfolio Product Manager - why? You'll play a central role in driving transformative solutions that fuel growth and enhance user experiences. If you like to obsess over how to acquire customers through a digital channel, efficiently digitally onboard merchants into our world, and the systems and tools needed to optimally manage merchants and sales then, this is the role for you.

So, what will you do? 

As Product Portfolio Manager at iKhokha, you’ll lead our Growth Portfolio.
Reporting to the Chief Product Officer, you’ll shape and prioritize the portfolio’s vision, crafting a strategic roadmap that guides empowered product teams toward impactful results.
You will harness cross-functional collaboration with engineering and design, applying OKRs to ensure transparency and accountability—all while delivering customer-centric solutions that elevate our business outcomes.

In addition to the above, you will: 

• Conduct market research, customer interviews, and competitive analysis to identify customer needs and market opportunities.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define product vision, strategy, and roadmap.
• Prioritise features and create user stories based on customer feedback, business goals, and technical feasibility.
• Work closely with Design capability to create wireframes, prototypes, and user interfaces that align with user needs and business objectives.
• Collaborate with Engineers and Design Leaders to ensure timely and successful product development and delivery.
• Define and prioritize product backlogs, working closely with Engineering teams during sprint planning and execution.
• Conduct user acceptance testing and ensure product quality before launch.
• Monitor product performance, gather feedback, and iterate based on user insights and metrics.
• Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders, including executives, partners, and merchants.
• Communicate product updates, roadmaps, and strategies to stakeholders at all levels.
• Gather feedback and incorporate stakeholder input into product planning and decision-making.
• Conduct demos, workshops, and training sessions to promote product understanding and adoption.
• Define and communicate the long-term vision and strategic direction for the product portfolio.
• Stay updated on industry trends, customer needs, and emerging technologies to inform product strategy.
• Conduct competitive analysis and benchmarking to identify opportunities and areas for differentiation.
• Collaborate with executives and senior leadership to align product strategies with business objectives.

Qualifications

• Degree or Post Grad Qualification or Equivalent NQF Level 8 Qualifications in Computer Science or similar.

Deal Breakers: 

• 6+ years as a Product Manager, including a minimum of 4 years leading other Product Managers across a portfolio/group, and preferably in the Fintech or Payments industry.
• Strong understanding of payment systems, financial technology, and industry regulations.
• Experience in UX & Design and Product Ownership.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills.

In addition to the above, the following experience and business understanding will make you a frontrunner for the role: 

• End-to-end product lifecycle management expertise, from discovery to development and launch.
• Ability to guide teams in managing product development risks: Value, Usability, Feasibility, and Viability.
• Technical fluency with software development, agile methodologies, and collaboration with engineers.
• Talent for user-centered design and market research, translating insights into impactful features.
• Proven leadership in aligning cross-functional teams with product goals, plus strong communication with all stakeholders.
• Deep Fintech/Payments industry knowledge: trends, compliance, and competitive insights.
• Focus on prioritizing outcomes with OKR experience preferred.
• Background in consumer product delivery, with a solid understanding of UX and design principles.
• Awareness of emerging Fintech trends like blockchain, mobile payments, and digital wallets.
• Strategic market analysis skills to spot opportunities and drive innovation.
• Knowledge of compliance and regulatory standards in financial transactions and data privacy.

Additional Information

• Work in a high-growth company with tangible results you're accountable for.
• Enjoy hybrid, remote, and in office work models.
• Competitive remuneration and benefits, including reduced Gap cover rates. Medical Aid and Group Risk scheme contributions.
• Visionary leadership.
• Seize the opportunity for study leave.
• Access to on-demand learning at your fingertips.
• Experience a friendly, collaborative culture with a team of all-round-lekker humans (it’s true, we surveyed our Employees and they told us so).
• If you find yourself at HQ, coffee on tap and a selection of hot beverages provided by our very own onsite Barista.