Product Line Manager

As an PLM Define and own the long-term vision and strategy for the assigned product line, aligning with overall company objectives. Identify new market trends, emerging technologies (e.g., 5G, SDN/NFV, Edge Computing, AI/ML in Telecom, IoT), and potential disruptors. Build compelling business cases for new product initiatives, including market sizing, revenue projections, cost analysis, and ROI. Develop and prioritize the product roadmap; translate strategy into clear requirements and release plans. Conduct competitive analysis and drive differentiation, including pricing and packaging considerations. Lead go-to-market planning and execution in partnership with Marketing, Sales, and Customer Success. Define and track product KPIs; ensure financial targets (growth, profitability) are met. Drive cross-functional alignment with Engineering, Operations, Procurement, and external partners. Manage the product lifecycle from introduction to growth, maturity, and sunset.

• Product Definition & Requirements: Gather, prioritize, and translate customer and market requirements into detailed product specifications and features, leveraging a deep understanding of 5G technology.
• Strategic Vision & Roadmap: Define the 5G product line strategy, develop long-term roadmaps, and identify market opportunities through continuous analysis of 5G trends and competition.
• Go-to-Market & Commercialization: Develop and execute comprehensive launch plans, including pricing, positioning, and sales enablement strategies for new 5G products.
• Customer & Partner Engagement: Act as a key liaison with strategic customers and partners, gathering feedback and building strong relationships to inform product evolution.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, engineering, sales, and marketing teams to ensure product development aligns with strategy and market needs.
• Product Lifecycle Management: Monitor product performance, drive continuous improvements, manage product iterations, and plan for end-of-life transitions.
• Hypothesize - Practice - Validate - Shikumika. Use the Rakuten Cycle to success in unknown territory.

• 10 + year experience with protocol level understanding and development.
• Relevant certifications in telecommunications or networking technologies (e.g., CCNP, 5G, vRAN, etc.) are highly desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, Engineering, or a related field.
• Advanced troubleshooting skills in complex virtualized environments, ensuring that network performance remains high and disruptions are minimized.
• Experience in cloud-native architectures and software-driven network solutions, a rare and valuable skill set that directly supports Rakuten Mobile’s network evolution.
• 3+ years of experience with vRAN, SDN, NFV, or cloud-native network deployment.
• Business Case & Financial Acumen: Create compelling business cases for product investments, demonstrating financial viability and ROI for 5G solutions.
• Strong expertise in SDN, NFV, and vRAN architecture, making you a key player in Rakuten Mobile’s groundbreaking virtualized 4G/5G network deployment.