Assistant Product Manager

Assistant product managers collaborate with the product manager in managing specific products within the company. The primary function of the assistant product manager is to conduct customer research, identify customer issues, determine opportunities in the market, and carry out market research tasks. Assistant product managers can be involved in the development of budgets for products and create budget documents to be reviewed by the team of product managers. Product managers assistants also create and monitor key metrics for the product and conduct cost and quality reviews in accordance with these indicators. In addition assistant product managers collaborate with supply chain and purchasing agents to make sure that the products are cost-effective and profitable.

Assistant product managers collaborate with a variety of professionals, including technicians, managers of projects, and suppliers and purchasing agents They may also collaborate directly with clients from outside. Assistant product managers typically work directly with the department manager or product head. The day-to-day duties of an assistant product manager differ by sector, but typically include scheduling and managing milestones for products, and also helping other employees with their tasks and conducting ongoing market research. People in this role typically work full-time in a workplace and may also travel needed.

A bachelor's degree in a similar field is usually mandatory, along with at least three or five years of experience in a similar area. A high level of multitasking and organizational skills are required as well for these professionals, and they typically have a good understanding of basic computer programs (such such as Microsoft Office suite). Experience with scheduling and planning could be preferred.

Within the context of the Assistant Product Manager, employees are expected to fulfill the following roles and responsibilities in order to make meaningful contributions towards organizational success.

• Conducting market research to understand customer needs and preferences, tracking industry trends and analyzing competitor products.
• Contributing to the development of new products, including conducting feasibility studies, running product tests, and creating product specifications.
• Collaborating with various departments such as marketing, sales, engineering, and operations to ensure smooth product development, launch, and post-launch activities.
• Analyzing product performance and customer feedback, identifying opportunities for improvement, and making recommendations to the product team for future enhancements.

Major educational qualifications required for Assistant Product Manager are:

• To qualify as an assistant manager of products, you must possess an undergraduate degree in one of the following fields: finance, business management, marketing, communications, or any related area of study.
• Many companies prefer assistant product managers who have obtained further education, such as a degree in Business Administration or an MBA.

Here are four alternative roles for someone with 0-3 years of experience in India, who may be interested in exploring similar job opportunities:

• Junior Product Manager: A role that is similar to an Assistant Product Manager but with more focus on performing tasks and responsibilities related to product development, launch, and management. The job demands a high level of organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a team.
• Product Marketing Associate: A position that revolves more around developing and executing marketing strategies for new or existing products. Critical responsibilities include market research, competitive analysis, creating product positioning, and developing promotional campaigns.
• Business Analyst: A position that involves evaluating and analyzing business operations to identify areas for improvement, identify business problems, and develop solutions. Business Analysts also collect, organize, and interpret data to enhance decision-making processes.
• Sales Operations Coordinator: A role that centers on streamlining processes to optimize sales behind-the-scenes. Critical responsibilities include providing support to sales teams, tracking and reporting sales data, managing sales technologies, and assisting in training on new technologies and processes.

These four roles are ideal for someone with 0-3 years of experience and possess similar transferable skills as an Assistant Product Manager.

The job role of Assistant Product Manager is expected to grow significantly in the Indian market. Over the last 10 years, this role has seen a sharp increase in demand due to rapid expansion in the e-commerce industry and the rise of startups. As per recent data points from Google, this demand is projected to continue in the future, with many companies hiring for this position. It has been estimated that the number of employment opportunities for Assistant Product Manager will grow by 9% over the next decade, making it a highly sought-after job role in India.