Business Transformation Manager at M-KOPA

Job Description

This role offers the opportunity to be the strategic architect who shapes how M-KOPA Kenya competes, grows, and wins in an increasingly dynamic market. You’ll lead transformational initiatives that optimize product performance, sharpen competitive positioning, and drive operational excellence across M-KOPA Kenya. Combining product strategy, project management, market analysis, and customer intelligence, you’ll translate market insights into actionable strategies that deliver measurable business impact. You’ll work with talented cross-functional teams across Global Product, Marketing, Operations, Commercial, Sales, Retail, and Customer Care—serving as the strategic bridge between global product direction and Kenya market execution.

In this role, you would be responsible for:

Product Lifecycle Management

Product Strategy & Planning

• Developing comprehensive product strategies informed by market research, competitive intelligence, and customer insights
• Creating and maintaining 12-month rolling product roadmaps aligned with business growth objectives
• Defining product positioning strategies that differentiate M-KOPA in increasingly competitive markets
• Leading product portfolio optimization to maximize market share and profitability

Product Development & Launch

• Managing end-to-end product development from concept through launch
• Coordinating product testing, pilots, and market validation activities
• Orchestrating and collaborating with Customer Care, Retail, Marketing, Sales, and Smartphone teams to ensure seamless product implementation
• Developing go-to-market strategies and launch plans for new products and features
• Working with supply chain to engage OEM partners and suppliers to secure optimal product terms and specifications

Post-Launch Performance Management

• Monitoring product performance metrics including adoption, revenue, margin, and customer satisfaction
• Analyzing customer and DSR feedback to identify product improvement opportunities
• Driving continuous product optimization based on competitive dynamics and market trends
• Leading product lifecycle decisions including enhancements, phase-outs, and repositioning

Cross-Functional Product Leadership

• Serving as primary product owner coordinating across Global Product, Marketing, Operations, and Commercial teams
• Ensuring alignment between global product strategy and Kenya market execution
• Advocating for Kenya market needs in global product development discussions
• Facilitating product-related decision-making across organizational boundaries

Market Intelligence & Competitive Strategy

Competitive Intelligence

• Establishing and maintaining systematic competitive monitoring processes across all relevant competitors
• Conducting in-depth competitive analysis covering product offerings, pricing, promotions, and market positioning
• Monitoring competitive threats and opportunities, providing early warning of market shifts
• Developing competitive response strategies to counter threats and exploit competitor weaknesses
• Assessing competitive landscape dynamics and their implications for M-KOPA’s strategy

Market Environment Analysis

• Tracking and analyzing legislative changes, regulatory developments, and policy shifts affecting the business
• Monitoring macroeconomic factors including FX trends, inflation, and their impact on product economics
• Analyzing market trends, consumer behavior shifts, and technology developments
• Identifying emerging opportunities and threats in the broader market ecosystem

Strategic Market Positioning

• Developing proactive market strategies that anticipate competitive moves rather than react to them
• Designing strategic positioning frameworks that create sustainable competitive advantages
• Recommending market entry, expansion, or exit strategies based on comprehensive market analysis
• Evaluating effectiveness of market strategies and adjusting based on performance data

Customer Intelligence & Insights

Customer Research & Profiling

• Developing comprehensive customer profiles, personas, and segmentation frameworks
• Conducting customer needs assessments, behavior analysis, and satisfaction tracking
• Analyzing customer journey maps to identify pain points and opportunity areas
• Researching customer preferences, purchase drivers, and decision-making factors

Advanced Customer Segmentation

• Creating sophisticated customer segmentation models based on behavior, needs, and value
• Developing targeted customer strategies for each segment
• Mapping customer journeys for different segments to optimize touchpoints and experiences
• Recommending segment-specific product, pricing, and marketing approaches

Customer-Centric Product Strategy

• Translating customer insights into product selection and prioritization decisions
• Ensuring product features and specifications align with customer needs and preferences
• Validating market fit for new products through customer research and testing
• Championing the customer perspective in all product and strategic decisions

This is a strategic leadership role based in Nairobi, Kenya. If successful, you would be reporting to the Head of Business Management.

Your application should demonstrate:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, or a related field
• MBA or Master’s degree in Business, Strategy, or Product Management preferred

Experience

• 6-7 years of progressive experience in product management, strategy, business analysis, or related roles
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in product lifecycle management or product strategy
• Proven track record of driving business performance improvements through data-driven insights
• Experience in competitive intelligence, market analysis, or strategic planning
• Experience in FMCG, consumer electronics, telecommunications, or fintech sectors strongly preferred
• Understanding of consumer product markets in Kenya or East Africa
• Exposure to competitive market environments requiring strategic agility

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in data analysis and business intelligence tools (Excel, SQL, Power BI, Tableau)
• Strong quantitative and analytical capabilities
• Experience with product management frameworks and methodologies
• Proficiency in market research and competitive analysis techniques
• Financial modeling and business case development skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Product management certification
• Experience with brand management or category management in FMCG
• Background in management consulting or strategic roles
• Experience managing OEM or supplier relationships
• Knowledge of pricing strategy and revenue optimization

What Sets You Apart

• You’re a strategic thinker who sees around corners—you anticipate market moves rather than react to them
• You’re equally comfortable in data analysis and in front of senior leadership—you can build the model and present the narrative
• You understand that product strategy is ultimately about customers—you champion the customer perspective even when it’s inconvenient
• You’re a skilled cross-functional collaborator who can align diverse teams without direct authority
• You translate complexity into clarity—whether it’s competitive dynamics, regulatory shifts, or customer behavior patterns
• You have the commercial instincts to connect product decisions to P&L impact and business outcomes
• You’re proactive by default—you bring recommendations, not just analysis
• You’re comfortable with ambiguity and energized by markets that don’t sit still