Our Client Company is a world-leading provider of Service-Centric Performance Management software solutions. The Company designs, develops and markets technologically advanced software which monitors, analyses and reports on the performance and quality of service of information technology (IT) infrastructure, including networks, servers and applications.
Here are the key skills I am looking for in a Technical Product Manager:
A leader in Service-centric Performance Management software who can assure the optimum delivery of business-critical IT services

• Champion Application-aware network and Unified communication initiatives to accelerate enterprise market revenues.

• Drive market requirements and product roadmap for the enterprise IT infrastructure and performance management solutions including network, systems and applications.

• Developed Enterprise product strategy to drive transition from resource-centric to top-down application-driven performance assurance.

• Closely collaborated with engineering to develop the product requirements for building application-aware network performance management solution supporting technologies such as CBQoS, Netflow, NBAR, IP SLAs, WiFi etc. Developed the product requirements to support SIP in context of managing unified communication applications delivery.

• Successfully packaged server management offering for Data Center optimization addressing consolidation and virtualization challenges and monitoring service level objectives. Developed product requirement document and business use cases for virtual infrastructure management solution.

• Lead product marketing initiatives to strengthen competitive positioning and go-to-market strategy. Promote enterprise solutions through speaking opportunities at industry events, road shows, analyst calls, webinars and other marketing initiatives. Drive effective market positioning addressing key management challenges, leveraging competitive intelligence and industry trends
-          Technical
Networks
IP
MPLS
Netflow  – This is NEW
Application Performance Monitoring
   Software
SNMP
XML
-          Product Management
o   Customer facing
Ability to effectively communicate with customers to understand their requirements
Ability to effectively define the unique value proposition and present it to the customer & sales team.
•         I usually ask candidates to define 3 unique features about their current products.  This helps me know how well they know the product and can sell it to me.
   Internal Engineering facing:

Ability to define detailed requirements for Engineering
Ability to research a new subject in detail, define solutions,  and educate internal teams on what we need to do.
  Hands-on skills i.e. install the software beta load, test it, provide comprehensive written feedback to engineering.
 

Responsibilities and Duties
The Technical Product Manager will be responsible for managing the technology life cycle for Flagship Product solutions targeted primarily at the enterprise (Financial, Retails, Gov and some MSPs) with IT Services Management solutions. The position will work closely with multiple stakeholder groups including research and development, technology partners, customers and domain experts. The position will report into the Business Product Manager for the Data Centers & Enterprise Services.
Own the full technology life-cycle for the IT Services solutions (End to End, UCs, Networks, Servers & Applications performance) through product conceptualization, detailed requirements gathering, product specification, implementation review and product release
Own the Product Requirements Document that specifies detailed functionality, required integrations, use cases and key metrics that need to be part of the product
Analyzing the technical information from equipment or middleware partners and customer environments and providing directions to the development team
Manage and prioritize incorporation of outstanding RFE’s into the product roadmap throughout the life cycle
Review software bugs identified during beta testing or after release and prioritize action
Own the demos showcasing the solution functionality with relevant data sets
Train Pre-sales engineers on solution functionality, workflow and demo best practices
Provide in-depth competitive analysis and sales support for the designated solutions
Work closely with Product Marketing to provide technical information about the product and solution to support the development of sales and marketing collateral
Participate in standards body meetings like MEF, DSL forums etc. as required to understand technology product direction and evolution
Qualifications/Experience
5+ years of experience in the enterprise IT infrastructure management market in technical consulting / operations / product management roles in big 5, manufacturer, software editor
Knowledge on products like BMC, HP-OV – Mercury, Tivoli, CA – Concord will be a definite plus
Prior experience in Product Management / PLC for infrastructure software companies will be a definite plus
Skills Required
Good knowledge of Enterprise IT Services from a global concept: Networks, Servers and Applications.
Knowledge of Data Center management technologies and challenges: Applications infrastructure, Servers architecture, load balancing, virtualization, consolidation, availability, performance …
Knowledge of VoIP, ToIP and IP services (DNS, DHCP, SIP, SMTP, POP3) will be a definite plus
Knowledge with performance probes like IP-SLA, Netflow and with performance reporting tools will be a definite plus
Hands-on approach in working with related network technology products, reviewing and understanding technical manuals and recommending new features and specifications to meet customer requirements
Self starter with good interpersonal and communication skills and results orientation is a must
Additional Information
30% travel in US and Europe
Benefits
Client Company offers a competitive salary and an attractive benefits package that includes company-paid medical, dental, prescription and vision coverage, and a matching 401(k) program. Other benefits include: life insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts and generous paid time off!

Position#2 Solution Consultant (Pre-Sales) – DataCenter and
Virtualization SC

Location: Prefer Dallas, TX

Our Client Company is looking for a highly motivated Consultant to strengthen the Solution Consulting Team. Reporting to the Americas Pre-Sales Director, the solution consultant will support the sales function in a client-facing role by understanding customer objectives and translating them into a project delivering proven customer value (e.g., optimized solution, consulting and training).

Responsibilities and Duties
Working with Account Managers, the Solution Consultant will analyze customer requirements for designing tailored performance management and service quality management solutions.
Owns the technical validation phase of the sales cycle and being accountable for the delivery of the designed solution.
Understand business value and build ROI analysis as appropriate.
Responding to solution and technical sections of RFIs and RFPs.
Creating and delivering demonstrations, presentations and/or proof of concepts of the proposed solution.
Act as Technical Account Manager on a shortlist of critical clients
Knowledge transfer to Business and Technology partners

In addition, the Solution Consultant will convey customer product feedback to company’s product management and R&D team.

Education:

A relevant Bachelors degree (Masters/PhD preferred)

Work Experience

A minimum of 6 years experience in the IT or Telecom industry is mandatory. Candidate should have working experience within professional IT Services Company, a software company or a service provider. A candidate needs a broad understanding of technology concerns with considerable experience in the following domains:

DataCenter
Virtualization
Server Management
Server and Application Performance Management
End to End Performance Management

IP Performance Management [Non mandatory but nice to have]
Network QoS [Non mandatory but nice to have]

Specific Skills and Certifications

Candidates should be comfortable in translating clients’ business requirements into detailed proposals, presenting to both technical and non-technical managers, plus defining and agreeing final solutions.
Ability to lead Sales in identifying appropriate solution. Ability to lead consultants and act as a project manager while implementing pilots.
Ability to work closely with various branches of the organization (Sales, Consultants, Product Managers, Marketing, R&D )
Strong ability to communicate and present complex technology solutions to customer’s project managers, marketing and operation teams.
Exposure to both Windows, Unix platforms and Oracle.
Fluent, both in written and spoken English.
Fluent, both in written and spoken Spanish a plus.
Technical certification across range of products would be appreciated but not mandatory.

Work Environment
Must be willing to travel (extensive at times)
Ability to operate in a performance-oriented environment
Team player