Founding Product Manager, B2B GenAI platform - job 6 of 11

As the Founding Product Manager at Jerry, you'll be responsible for driving the development of our Propelix platform, which includes engaging directly with early customers and refining the product based on their feedback. You'll manage the implementation process to ensure customer success and satisfaction while identifying new features and integrations that support growth. Additionally, you'll utilize your systems thinking skills to shape our approach and ensure Propelix becomes a leader in GenAI within the insurance industry.

To qualify for the Founding Product Manager role at Jerry, candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree in a challenging discipline, along with 5 to 10 years of experience. This includes structured problem-solving expertise—ideally, from consulting, VC, or private equity backgrounds—combined with experience in product development at an early-stage B2B SaaS startup. Strong initiative, exceptional organizational capabilities, and effective communication skills are essential to thrive in this dynamic environment.

The Founding Product Manager role is crucial to Jerry's success as it directly impacts the development and implementation of our Propelix GenAI platform. By managing the initial customer engagements and refining our product offerings based on real feedback, you'll play a key part in establishing our platform's market fit. Furthermore, your strategic insights and leadership will help position Propelix as the go-to solution for the insurance industry.

At Jerry, the work environment is highly collaborative and innovative, populated by talented individuals from top tech companies. As a Founding Product Manager, you'll experience a talent-dense atmosphere that encourages rapid learning and career advancement. The company fosters a culture focused on solving real-world problems and improving customer experience, making it an inspiring place to work and grow.

The growth opportunities for a Founding Product Manager at Jerry are immense. As you take Propelix from inception to prominence, your contributions will not only shape the product but also significantly influence the company's trajectory. With plans to reach a valuation of $5 billion and become a household name, successful candidates will find ample room to develop leadership skills and advance their careers within a rapidly growing startup.

To ensure customer success, I would focus on active engagement with our earliest customers to gather insights and feedback. By regularly iterating on product features based on their needs, I would foster a collaborative relationship that not only enhances customer satisfaction but also leads to product improvements that resonate with the broader market.

In my previous roles, I've managed B2B products from concept through launch, employing agile methodologies to iterate quickly based on customer feedback. I've worked closely with sales and marketing teams to define product positioning and go-to-market strategies, ensuring alignment across the organization for successful product adoption.

Building a product roadmap for Propelix would involve a combination of in-depth market research, customer interviews, and competitive analysis. By prioritizing features that deliver the most value to our customers and align with business goals, I would create a clear, phased approach to product development that ensures long-term growth and adaptability in a fast-evolving market.

One significant challenge I faced was when customer feedback revealed a misalignment between product features and user needs. To resolve it, I conducted a series of user research sessions to gather detailed insights. Through this feedback, I adjusted the product strategy, leading to features that better served our customers and ultimately improving engagement and satisfaction rates.

Key skills for a successful product manager in a startup include strong problem-solving abilities, adaptability, excellent communication skills, and a collaborative mindset. It's crucial to be able to navigate ambiguity, leverage customer insights effectively, and work cross-functionally with various teams to drive product success in a fast-paced setting.

I prioritize product features by considering customer impact, business objectives, and technical feasibility. Utilizing frameworks like the MoSCoW method (Must-have, Should-have, Could-have, and Won't-have), I ensure that I balance short-term needs with long-term vision, allowing for a strategic approach to feature development that aligns with overall company goals.

To gather customer feedback effectively, I employ techniques such as customer interviews, surveys, and usability testing. I also engage in active listening during calls and interactions to grasp underlying needs. Additionally, I analyze customer support inquiries and usage analytics to identify patterns that can inform product improvements.

Systems thinking in product management involves examining the interrelationships between various components of a system—such as customer needs, market dynamics, and internal processes. By understanding how these elements impact one another, I can make informed decisions that lead to holistic product development and strategic alignment across teams.

When handling disagreements within a cross-functional team, I prioritize open communication and seek to understand differing perspectives. I encourage a collaborative environment where team members can share their views without fear. Facilitating discussions that focus on data-driven insights allows us to address conflicts constructively and align on the best path forward.

The success of the Propelix platform would be defined by several key metrics including customer satisfaction, retention rates, and market adoption. Meeting or exceeding customer expectations through product performance will also be vital, along with the ability to grow revenue and expand our customer base within the insurance industry over time.