Global Product Manager World Bicycle Relief

Position:          Global Product Manager

Location:         Travel required. (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi), with travel across all our markets.

Reporting to:  Andrew Samways – Vice President of Product Development

About Us

World Bicycle Relief (WBR) mobilizes people through the Power of Bicycles. We envision a world where distance is no longer a barrier to education, health services, and economic opportunity. Our robust Buffalo Bicycles are a cost-effective and reliable means of overcoming barriers posed by long distances and systemic mobility challenges in developing countries. We are a mission-driven, global not-for-profit that manages a highly refined bicycle supply chain from design through final distribution.

(WBR) uses an innovative business model to create sustainable bicycle ecosystems. Through WBR’s 501(c)3, we provide transport solutions to those who cannot afford them, and through Buffalo Bicycle Limited, we sell the rugged Buffalo Bicycle and spare parts. Buffalo Bicycle Limited also offers users repair and maintenance services via a retail network of shops and local mechanics. WBR has distributed over 560,000 fit-for-purpose bicycles and trained 2,500+ community-based mechanics. Girls with Buffalo Bicycles are 19% less likely to drop out of school; dairy farmers earn 23% more income, and health workers reach 88% more patients.

Purpose of the Position

The Global Product Manager will continuously gain insights to understand user need, identify opportunities, and guide the successful execution of projects by our development team while working to optimize the system of value exchange between business and end-user. You will create buy-in for the product vision both internally and with key external partners.

Responsibilities

• Understand and represent the user, by conducting field-based, ethnographic research that covers our existing user base, groups of people not served by existing products, and users with unique needs
• Design and conduct field-based product experiments to learn about new value propositions before we commit to development projects
• Proactively build and maintain relationships with our Field Leadership, Operations, and Sales teams as well as other stakeholders
• Translate insights gathered in the field into flexible targets and product specifications for the development team, that are both achievable and aligned with the right outcomes for the business
• Work with the VP of Product Development to prioritize projects that will most effectively develop products into sustainable drivers of growth
• Lead the business in successful product launches and sales growth, taking responsibility for profit and risk, cost of delay and return-on-investment
• May perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• Ability to work with a wide range of people with various education levels, varying levels of tech literacy and from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Proactive relationship builder
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills (English)
• Working understanding of bicycles and the bicycle industry
• Basic understanding of mechanical principles and bicycle manufacturing technologies
• Able to ride a bicycle in the field for up to 10 km at a time
• 5+ years of product development experience preferred

Working Conditions

• Field based role. Based in or near to one of our key markets (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi), with travel across all our markets.
• Minimum 40% time out of the office on field work
• Able to sustain regular international travel

WBR is a registered not-for profit in the USA (501c3), Canada, UK, Germany, Switzerland, and Australia. We have supported programs in 20 developing countries, and have country offices, staff, and assembly facilities in Colombia, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. WBR is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.