FLM/Product Owner: Systems Control at Sanlam Group

Business Description

• The Product Owner (PO)/ First Line Manager (FLM) is a member of the Squad, responsible for prioritizing the Backlog to streamline the execution of program priorities while maintaining the conceptual and technical integrity of the Features or components for the team. The PO has a significant role in maximizing the value produced by the team and ensuring stories meet the user’s needs and comply with the Definition of Done.
• The PO/FLM works with business owners, insurance product actuaries, release train engineers, squad members, business consultants, users, project managers, architects, and other team members to define non-functional requirements.

What will you do?

Preparation and participation in PI planning

• As a member of the extended product management team, the PO is heavily involved in backlog refinement, preparation for PI planning and plays a significant role in the planning event itself along with the squad.  
• Prior to PI planning the PO has primary responsibility for building, editing, and maintaining the squad’s backlog.  Backlog items are prioritised based on user value, time and other team dependencies determined in the PI planning meeting.
• Together with product management and the squad, the PO enables continuous flow of value through the delivery of small valuable features.

Iteration Execution

• The PO participates in iteration planning ceremonies and assists the squad with sequencing delivery.
• Supported by the squad, the PO identifies dependencies and coordinates the addressing of dependencies with other product owners as input to the final iteration plan.
• The PO also participates in cadences like discovery & elaboration, PO sync and mid-iteration check points. 

Management of Quality Engineers

• Ensure Goal setting is done for each member.
• Assist each member with career planning and a development plan.
• Ability to manage and develop the quality engineers.
• Have at least 2 formal performance review discussion with each member, 1 mid-year and 1 end-year.
• Evaluate performance in an objective and fair way and where required address poor performance in accordance with the HR processes and procedures.
• Provide input into Talent Management and Retention grid.
• Motivate team members to set and reach their own daily targets to increase morale.
• Have regular one-on ones with team members.
• Empower team members to initiate new or improve existing work methods.
• Encourage staff to take extra responsibility by providing a coaching role from senior team members.
• Managing performance by guidance, training, and regular feedback session.
• Acknowledge excellent performance.
• Ensure that team is informed and up to date with any HR policies and procedures.

What will make you successful in this role?

Qualifications:

• Mathematics HG up to Grade 12 (C-symbol or higher)
• B-Degree with a Mathematical or Computational major will be advantageous.
• Experience in programming will be advantageous
• Solid understanding of JIRA and Confluence

Experience & Knowledge:

• At least 4 years' relevant experience within Actuarial
• Knowledge of Sanlam Risk products
• Knowledge and understanding of calculators, Epsilon system, Quotation Systems and DWH.
• Exposure to analysis methodologies, process disciplines and SDLC (waterfall & agile) methodologies

Personal attributes and Competencies:

• assertive
• engaged in the entire delivery process
• available to the team, but within reason
• embrace empowerment to make executive decisions within their mandate
• taking ownership
• natural communicators
• agile and flexible
• willing to share success and celebrate wins
• ability to manage and develop the quality engineers
• ability to work in a team
• show and act on initiative, innovative and creative
• analytical and numerical skills
• ability to work under pressure

Knowledge and Skills

• General administrative practices
• Budgeting and risk administration
• Logistical and events/meeting co-ordination
• General Communication
• Management of employees

Personal Attributes

• Communicates effectively - Contributing independently
• Plans and aligns - Contributing independently
• Directs work - Contributing independently
• Decision quality - Contributing independently