VP of Product

Company: Tbwa Chiat/Day Inc
Location: Chicago
Posted on: February 1, 2025

Job Description:

Banyan Software provides the best permanent home for successful enterprise software companies, their employees, and customers. We are on a mission to acquire, build and grow great enterprise software businesses all over the world that have dominant positions in niche vertical markets. In recent years, Banyan was named the #1 fastest-growing private software company in the US on the Inc. 5000 and amongst the top 10 fastest-growing companies by the Deloitte Technology Fast 500. Founded in 2016 with a permanent capital base setup to preserve the legacy of founders, Banyan focuses on a buy and hold for life strategy for growing software companies that serve specialized vertical markets.Job Title: VP of ProductCompany: SoftSmiths, Inc. (Banyan's Portfolio Company)Location: Houston (remote candidates will also be considered)Who We AreHeadquartered in Houston, Texas, SoftSmiths delivers software solutions that facilitate energy forecasting, pricing, trading, risk management, scheduling, settlement, reconciliation, and decision support functionality for today's load-serving, energy marketing, and energy-consuming organizations. SoftSmiths is committed to addressing the energy market's digitalization, de-marginalization, and decentralization challenges. SoftSmiths' market-differentiating product offering, evolving market conditions, and a strong record of delivering customer value have uniquely positioned it for growth in the coming years.Role OverviewAs the VP Product at SoftSmiths, you will be a key member of the executive leadership team responsible for driving product strategy, innovation, and execution to enhance our presence in the evolving energy sector, including renewable energy. Initially, you will work independently to establish and execute the product vision, with the potential to grow and lead a dedicated Product team as the company expands. You will work closely with the CEO and VP Technology to define Ideal Customer Profiles (ICPs) and align the product strategy with SoftSmiths' vision for long-term growth. Additionally, you will ensure that the needs of existing clientele are continuously met and supported through product enhancements and customer-focused solutions. This role demands a mix of ETRM expertise, industry experience, vision for emerging trends, and the ability to execute on product initiatives.Key Responsibilities

• Develop and articulate a clear product vision that supports SoftSmiths' long-term growth and positions us as a leader in energy transaction management and ETRM.
• Drive the product roadmap and prioritize features that align with the needs of energy trading, risk management, utilities, and new renewable market entrants.
• Collaborate with the CEO and CTO to establish and refine Ideal Customer Profiles (ICPs) to target segments that align with the evolving product strategy and market opportunities.
• Leadership & Team Development
  • Initially operate as a standalone Product leader, taking full ownership of product direction and decision-making.
  • As SoftSmiths grows, recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing Product team, fostering a culture of collaboration, customer focus, and innovative thinking.
  • Establish and promote product management best practices, processes, and metrics to ensure alignment with company goals.
  • Maintain a deep understanding of the needs and challenges of SoftSmiths' existing customers and ensure these are addressed through continuous product improvements.
  • Engage directly with key customers to gather feedback and identify opportunities to enhance their experience, maximize value, and reduce friction in their operations.
  • Ensure that product updates and new features align with the needs of both new prospects and existing clientele, enhancing satisfaction and loyalty
  • Industry Expertise & Customer Focus
    • Stay informed about ETRM systems, energy industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies, including renewable energy and energy storage solutions.
    • Develop deep customer empathy and utilize market feedback to guide product enhancements and new module development.
    • Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
      • Work closely with the VP Technology to align product development with technical innovation and scalability.
      • Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, and Customer Success teams to support product launches, sales enablement, and customer satisfaction.
      • Serve as the voice of the customer within the organization, ensuring our products solve real customer challenges effectively.
      • Product Development & Delivery
        • Define detailed product requirements and use cases for new features, ensuring clarity for the development team.
        • Oversee the full product lifecycle, from ideation to release, to ensure timely delivery and product-market fit.
        • Foster a strong integration strategy, leveraging SoftSmiths' APIs for seamless data integration and industry compliance.
        • Innovation & Market Leadership
          • Spearhead innovation initiatives to incorporate advanced features like automation, AI-driven forecasting, and enhanced data analytics.
          • Lead efforts to develop new offerings in areas such as Energy Trading and Risk Management (ETRM), Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) management, decentralized energy resources, and energy storage systems.Required Skills and Experience
            • Energy Industry Experience: Minimum of 10 years of product management experience, with at least 5 years in the energy sector (power or natural gas). Experience with ETRM systems (Energy Trading and Risk Management) is required.
            • Product Leadership: Proven track record in leading product strategy and managing the product lifecycle in a SaaS environment, with a focus on energy trading, risk management, and renewable energy.
            • Technical Acumen: Strong understanding of software development practices, system architecture, and how technology drives business outcomes, particularly in ETRM systems.
            • Customer Focus: Demonstrated ability to gather customer insights and translate them into successful product features that solve key industry challenges.
            • Communication & Collaboration: Excellent communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally and effectively communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
            • Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze complex data sets, extract key insights, and use these insights to influence product decisions.Desired Competencies
              • ETRM Experience: Hands-on experience in ETRM systems, with strong familiarity in trading, risk management, load forecasting, and settlement.
              • Energy Market Knowledge: Experience in markets like ERCOT, PJM, CAISO, and other ISO/RTO markets.
              • Regulatory Expertise: Understanding of the regulatory landscape around renewable energy credits, distributed energy, and energy storage.
              • Agile Product Development: Experience working with modern product management tools and methodologies (e.g., Agile, Kanban).Why SoftSmiths?
                • Innovative Technology: We are committed to developing innovative, modular software solutions that transform the energy industry.
                • Growth Opportunity: Join us at a pivotal time of transition and growth, shaping the future of our product line and building a new team from the ground up.
                • Industry Impact: Be part of an organization actively contributing to the evolution of the energy market, with an increasing focus on sustainability, renewable energy, and advanced ETRM systems.How to Apply:Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their resume and a cover letter detailing their relevant experience and qualifications to SoftSmiths.Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Banyan: Banyan affirms that inequality is detrimental to our Global Teams, associates, our Operating Companies, and the communities we serve. As a collective, our goal is to impact lasting change through our actions. Together, we unite for equality and equity. Banyan is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristic, including race, color, genetic information, creed, national origin, religion, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lawful alien status, ancestry, age, marital status, or protected veteran status and will not discriminate against anyone on the basis of a disability. We support an inclusive workplace where associates excel based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance.
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Keywords: Tbwa Chiat/Day Inc, Milwaukee , VP of Product, Executive , Chicago, Wisconsin