Product Manager - Data

We are VavaCars and we are building the most trusted used car trading platform in the world. We aim to provide ease, transparency, simplicity, and trust to buyers and sellers of used cars. We are in vibrant scale-up mode, having successfully pioneered our model and approach in Turkey and created a whole new standard. You will have the opportunity to make important contributions and be a key player at a hugely exciting time. To continue to support this growth we are looking to scale our product team significantly at HQ in Istanbul where you will work with international colleagues across London, Madrid and Kiev.

You will drive the prioritization of projects and overall vision to develop an internal capacity to effectively operationalize data for the business including data analytics and data science AI / ML applications. You will be working closely with the consumer and commercial side of the business and the analytics and data science teams.

This is a perfect role for someone who is passionate about working with talented engineers and data engineers to create great products through scalable technologies, and solving hard problems.

You will also be a key member of the product leadership team supporting the effective communication of the whole data product strategy across the business and in all our markets.
Strategic thinking and excellent verbal and written communications are essential but this is also a doing role; you will define the outcomes and then collaborate with business stakeholders, engineers and UX on how to achieve these.

Our core expectations of the ’Product Manager - Data’ role are as follows:

• Develop the vision for bringing in new tools and technologies, around visualization, automation and data, to enable increased speed of delivery and increase data accessibility (surface data where people need it when they need it)
• Work with the Data Analytics & Data Science teams to get the right data infrastructure to increase data democratization and usability (make it easier for people to access, manipulate, and use data)
• Formulate the strategy, concepts, product requirements and use cases for data management across the business including data governance, privacy and localization
• Manage the roadmap of internal data structure and governance including standardization, data validation and bring uniformity across different data platforms
• Build vs Buy: Help identify necessary and/or desirable third-party tools and technology to evaluate and select vendors together with technology and business teams
• Create buy-in for the data product vision both internally and with key external partners
• Versatile and obsessed with data. Understand data and all of its dimensions, from estimation to measuring stages
• Have an agile iterative approach to problem solving. Be comfortable with fail fast.
• Translate product strategy into detailed requirements and prototypes. Be hands-on and dive deep.
• Scope and prioritize activities based on business and customer impact
• Work closely with engineering teams to deliver with quick time-to-market and optimal resources
• Drive product launches including working with public relations team, executives, and other product management team members
• Act as a product evangelist to build awareness and understanding

Requirements

• At least 3 years proven work experience in product management or as a product manager, or as a data analyst
• Strong data warehousing and data science product experience with significant experience working with data engineers, data scientists & data analysts
• Proven track record of managing all aspects of a successful product throughout its lifecycle
• Proven ability to develop product strategies and effectively communicate recommendations to executive management
• Solid technical background with understanding and/or hands-on experience in software development and web technologies
• Strong problem solving skills and willingness to roll up one’s sleeves to get the job
• Skilled at working effectively with cross functional teams in a matrix organization
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• MS/BS degree in Computer Science, Engineering or equivalent preferred
• Familiarity with AI/ML and automation preferred
• Experience with Agile methodologies & tools (e.g. Scrum, Kanban)
• Experience using Jira, Confluence and project management tools

Benefits

We offer a unique and exciting package - nothing like this has been attempted in the local auto space and we want to attract only the best and brightest. We offer a competitive remuneration package and a culture that focuses on employee happiness. Our benefits include:

• Annual bonus
• Competitive Salary
• Private Health Insurance
• Stock options via ESOP
• This role will report to the Chief Product Officer based in Istanbul