Cellulant Group

ABOUT CELLULANT

Cellulant is a pioneering B2B payments technology company based in Africa that powers payment processing for thousands of businesses. Through a single, simple connection, our payment platform - Tingg - enables businesses to disburse funds and manage their offline or online collections while allowing their customers to pay via mobile money, local and international cards or direct bank payments. With local acquiring in over 30 markets and supporting 300+ payment methods, Cellulant processes over 240 million transactions annually for market leaders in various sectors such as Airlines, Telecoms, E-commerce, Ride-Hailing, Retail and Remittances.

OUR STORY:

Since our founding in 2003, Cellulant evolved from a digital content provider into a leading payments platform with a presence in 35 African countries. For more than 20 years, we've built a robust network that integrates multiple payment methods, addressing the unique challenges of Africa’s diverse payment landscape. We began selling ringtones as a digital content business and quickly realised the need for a more streamlined way to manage payments. This realisation led us to develop a platform that initially allowed customers to check their bank balances and eventually evolved into a comprehensive payment solution. Our journey has seen us partner with more than 1000 businesses, including some of the largest banks and mobile money providers on the continent. Throughout the years, we've continuously adapted and grown, leveraging our experiences to simplify payments for businesses and consumers alike. Today, Cellulant powers online and offline payment processing allowing businesses to collect payments, send payouts, and accelerate business growth. We’re the payment fabric that makes interoperability possible and stitches Africa together for the global economy.

OUR VISION:

To enable seamless payments across Africa for businesses, banks and consumers. Read more about us and our leadership team.

JOB TITLE:

Senior Principal Product Owner: Collections

This role is location agnostic; however, a candidate’s home time zone will be relevant to success in the role (GMT –1 to +3 preferred).

JOB DESCRIPTION:

As the Senior Principal Product Owner, you will spearhead the Collections and Checkout Product team. Your responsibilities include crafting a clear product vision, conducting market analysis to capture customer needs and trends, and defining the product roadmap.

You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless development and launch of innovative Collections and Checkout solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and business growth.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Strategic Product Vision and Leadership:
    • Develop a comprehensive product vision and strategy that aligns with both Cellulant's overarching business goals and the evolving needs of the payments industry.
    • Lead the product team in envisioning future innovations, drawing inspiration from market leaders who continuously evolve their product offerings to stay ahead in the global payments landscape​.
  • In-depth Market and Competitive Analysis:
    • Conduct detailed market research to identify and understand emerging trends, customer expectations, and potential technological advancements that could impact the payments sector.
    • Analyse competitive landscapes to benchmark against industry leaders and identify areas for differentiation and improvement. This includes understanding the strategies employed by major players like Visa and Mastercard in fostering innovation and reducing card transaction frictions​​.
  • Roadmap Development and Prioritization:
    • Define the product roadmap with clear, actionable items that prioritize features based on their potential impact on customer satisfaction and business objectives.
    • Use data-driven insights to adjust priorities as market conditions evolve, ensuring that the product development aligns with user needs and company goals..
  • Cross-functional Team Leadership and Collaboration:
    • Foster a collaborative environment across various departments (Engineering, UX/UI Design, Marketing, Sales, and Customer Support) to ensure that all aspects of product development are aligned and that deliverables meet the highest standards.
    • Organise and lead regular cross-departmental meetings to discuss progress, tackle roadblocks, and adjust strategies as necessary, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and engaged in the product's success.
  • Lifecycle Management from Concept to Launch:
    • Manage all phases of the product life cycle, from initial concept, through development, to launch and post-launch analysis.
    • Implement agile methodologies to enhance product development processes, ensuring flexibility and rapid adaptation to new information or market changes, reflecting the dynamic approaches seen in Mastercard’s product innovation cycles​.
  • Compliance and Regulatory Adherence:
    • Ensure all product developments comply with relevant local and international regulatory standards, including data protection laws, payment industry standards (e.g., PCI DSS), and anti-money laundering (AML) regulations.
    • Regularly update the product team and stakeholders on regulatory changes and adjust the product roadmap to accommodate these changes, ensuring compliance at all stages of the product life cycle.
  • Performance Monitoring and Optimization:
    • Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the product's market performance and operational efficiency.
    • Analyze product usage and customer feedback to continuously refine and improve the product offerings. Utilize A/B testing, user satisfaction surveys, and usage data to make informed decisions about product adjustments and enhancements.
  • Stakeholder Communication and Reporting:
    • Communicate effectively with all stakeholders, including senior management, team members, and external partners, about the product's progress, challenges, and strategic direction.
    • Prepare detailed reports and presentations that summarize product performance, market insights, and strategic recommendations, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making at the executive level.

    QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

    • Experience: Minimum of 8 years in product management, with at least 4 years in a payments-focused role.
    • Experience with financial technologies and payment systems is crucial.
    • Strong knowledge of card payments and acquiring systems.
    • Education: A base degree in a relevant field plus at least one additional qualification (e.g., MBA or a specialised Master's in finance or technology).
    • Certifications: Relevant certifications might include Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Pragmatic Certified Product Manager, or similar credentials that emphasise expertise in product development and agile methodologies.

    SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES PREFERRED:

    • Technical Proficiency: Deep understanding of the payments ecosystem, including trends in digital payments, cross-border transactions, and regulatory challenges.
    • Strategic Thinking: Ability to craft long-term strategies that align with both customer needs and business goals.
    • Leadership and Communication: Strong leadership skills to manage and inspire a team of product managers, and excellent communication abilities to liaise with stakeholders and executive leadership.
    • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, essential for coordinating with multiple teams and reporting to executive leadership.
    • Strong number crunching capabilities with the ability to navigate and use data analysis tools to drive a data driven approach to insights and recommendations
    • A strategic mindset capable of balancing various perspectives and making informed decisions that align with business goals.

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