PRODUCT OWNER, SOURCING TECHNOLOGY
Role Overview
We are looking for a seasoned professional with a minimum of 6+ years of working experience and a background in the Supply Chain industry. The candidate should have strong expertise in product ownership and business analysis, with a solid understanding of technology and proven experience in end-to-end product management and delivery. Experience in the apparel and footwear industry is a plus.
In this role, you will lead product ownership across multiple initiatives within the Sourcing Technology domain, working closely with Product Supply business stakeholders. You will be a key member of the Sourcing Technology team, driving the digital roadmap across platforms such as Global Costing, Global Supply Planning, and PO Management.
You will be responsible for translating business needs into technology solutions, collaborating closely with stakeholders, IT vendors, and internal development teams. You will manage product backlogs, prioritize initiatives, and ensure alignment between business objectives and delivery outcomes.
In addition, you will provide leadership and guidance to team members, including Associate Analysts, support requirements evolution across initiatives, and ensure the successful execution of product delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Product Ownership & Management
- Own and define the product vision by identifying user needs, setting product goals, and executing the product roadmap aligned with business objectives.
- Lead end-to-end product lifecycle management, including market research, competitive analysis, feature conceptualization, product design and development, release planning, and performance evaluation.
- Establish and implement best practices for product management and delivery.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and external partners to ensure alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
- Work closely with IT vendors and internal development teams to ensure successful delivery of product initiatives.
Communication & Stakeholder Management
- Engage stakeholders to understand business needs and align technology solutions with strategic objectives.
- Clearly articulate product vision, strategy, value proposition, and benefits realization to drive stakeholder buy-in and approvals.
- Partner with business, IT, vendors, and senior leadership to execute product initiatives and deliver measurable outcomes.
- Promote awareness and understanding of product delivery models and methodologies within the organization.
- Manage relationships with internal teams, external partners, and vendors to ensure products are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with VF standards.
- Provide regular updates on project status, timelines, risks, and budget.
Business Analysis
- Gather, analyze, and document business requirements and translate them into functional specifications.
- Evaluate existing systems and processes, recommending enhancements and optimization opportunities.
- Oversee implementation of system changes, enhancements, and new solutions.
- Develop and maintain documentation including workflows, processes, and system design artifacts.
- Support QA activities, including test case validation and user acceptance testing.
- Provide user training and post-implementation L2 support when required.
- Establish best practices for documentation and process optimization, ensuring continuous improvement aligned with evolving business needs.
Competency Requirements
Behavioral Competencies
- Self-starter with a strong focus on outcomes and delivering business value.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity and manage competing priorities across multiple stakeholders.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent problem-solving and organizational capabilities.
- Ability to effectively articulate technical concepts, vision, and outcomes to both technical and business audiences.
- Strong team player who collaborates effectively while maintaining focus and protecting team priorities.
Functional Competencies
- Solid knowledge of product management, Agile, and Scrum methodologies.
- Experience leading initiatives in business, functional, or digital supply chain domains is preferred.
- Strong business acumen, ideally within Supply Chain, Vendor Logistics, or Quality Management.
- Proven experience in business analysis within technology functions.
- Proficiency in tools and techniques such as Use Cases, User Stories, Activity Diagrams, and Test Cases.
- Familiarity or hands-on experience with Infor Nexus, FlexPLM, KNIME workflow development and UiPath RPA is considered a strong advantage.
- Working knowledge of AI/ML concepts, including GenAI, NLP, and data-driven decision support.
- Hands-on or conceptual experience with AI-enabled solutions, such as copilots, intelligent automation, and AI-assisted analytics platforms.
- Understanding of Agentic AI concepts, including autonomous or semi-autonomous agents, multi-agent workflows, and AI-driven orchestration.
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Business Administration, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related disciplines.
- PMP, Product Owner certification or Agile-related training is a plus.
- Supply Chain certification (e.g., CSCP) is an advantage.
Language Proficiency
- Fluent in English and Chinese (frequent meetings with teams in Shanghai where calls will be carried out in Mandarin)
