We're Hiring! FREO2 Product Manager
Job Title: Product Manager
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
Employment Basis: Full-time, one year contract starting late 2021 with potential for extension
Salary: $90,000 - $120,000 per annum pro rata plus superannuation
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Date Prepared: 1 November 2021
1. About FREO2 Foundation | www.freo2.org.au
At FREO2 Foundation (FREO2), we believe every child has the right to breathe, live and thrive. We are committed to saving lives by creating and deploying new oxygen production technology to improve oxygen access and care at the under-resourced periphery of the health service.
Our team is currently focused on two major work streams:
Commercialisation of the FREO2 oxygen system and its constituent products to address significant market need for robust, reliable oxygen technology in low an middle income countries (LMIC); and
Establishment and growth of FREO2 operations to provide oxygen as a service in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific through a social enterprise business model.
We have start-up teams and partnerships developing in Uganda, Tanzania and the Solomon Islands, and ambitious plans to assist the treatment of children in over 3,000 health facilities in the coming five years through a model that is locally led and patient-centered.
The potential value of the FREO2 oxygen system and our business model are increasingly recognised by funders and collaboration partners. UNICEF has just announced FREO2 as the recipient of the first Oxygen CoLab grant of £180,000 to catalyse innovation and improve patient access to fit-for-purpose oxygen concentrators that provide access to reliable, quality oxygen in LMICs. The Oxygen CoLab is part of the UK Aid-funded COVID-Action, delivered in partnership with UNICEF.
FREO2 is looking for a passionate and experienced business leader to join our purpose-driven team in the new role of Product Manager. This is a unique opportunity to lead the safe and consistent delivery of oxygen to health facilities at scale around the world. There has never been a more important time to focus on access to oxygen in under-resourced health facilities.
2. Role Summary and Purpose
The Product Manager has accountability for planning, delivery and performance management of all aspects of FREO2 product development, technology transfer and supply to in-country FREO2 teams and wholesale customers.
The FREO2 Product Manager reports to the CEO and is key member of the FREO2 Leadership team. The position currently has a team of direct reports and manages a growing group of product development and supply chain partners and collaborators.
The FREO2 team has a collaborative culture. We are seeking a team member who shares our values of impact, innovation, respect and care, and will work with agility and transparency to achieve agreed work targets.
Key position capabilities include technology development and transfer for commercialisation, supply chain management, project planning and delivery, people leadership and partnership management. We are looking for someone with a high level of ambition to create social change, a creative mind-set and natural aptitude for collaboration.
The Product Manager will work closely with the CEO and International Programs Manager to ensure alignment between product supply and demand and effective in-country product placement and service delivery. The Product Manager is also expected to work with the FREO2 team on influence and knowledge sharing activities.
The FREO2 team is committed to saving lives by developing and deploying our novel medical oxygen technologies to improve access to oxygen and patient care at the under-resourced periphery of health services.
3. Key Responsibilities
The Product Manager is accountable for quality product development and supply to in-country FREO2 enterprise teams and wholesale customers. Key responsibilities include:
Product strategy & planning – develop and oversee strategy development and planning for FREO2 product development, commercialisation and delivery to in-country enterprise teams and wholesale customers.
Product supply – oversee the implementation of FREO2 product development and supply plans from innovation to in-country placement including:
Product innovation: oversee the identification, assessment and selection of new FREO2 product opportunities, and the integration of aligned research outcomes.
Product development: oversee engineering design from product specification through to field performance and regulatory approval.
Manufacturing: oversee manufacture identification and management.
Placement: oversee product registration in the jurisdictions in which FREO2 operations, and development and management of the FREO2 supply chain to achieve on-time and on-budget placement of product with FREO2 enterprise teams and wholesale customers.
Quality & Safety Systems – oversee development and implementation of a FREO2 quality management system for products, then system compliance and improvement.
Project Management – oversee the delivery of discrete projects relevant to product supply and their integration with Internationals Programs (enterprise operations).
Team - recruit, train, lead and support Product Team members, including the Engineering Team, to deliver specific FREO2 work programs and technical packages.
Culture - build a team culture of impact, respect, action and initiative, in a safe, supportive work environment.
Financial Management - oversee the management of Product Team finances and ensure financial transparency and integrity. In particular, manage and monitor expenditure against the FREO2 approved project budgets and fulfil financial and compliance reporting requirements.
General Policy & Systems - ensure that appropriate policies and management systems are in place so that FREO2 undertakes its work effectively and efficiently, with transparency and accountability. Provide timely and accurate reporting to the CEO.
Innovation – find and implement new ways of working and new ventures that transform positive outcomes for communities through FREO2 products, services and the business model.
Other duties - as requested by the CEO and aligned with the Product Manager’s capability.
4. Selection Criteria
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential skills and experience in:
Technology commercialisation and delivery in highly regulated markets
Team leadership, management and capacity building
Project planning and management in complex, humanitarian or ‘for-purpose’ environments.
Partnership and contract management
Strongly desirable knowledge, skills and experience in:
Medical technology commercialisation and delivery
Desirable knowledge, skills and experience in:
Product design with/for users in low-middle income country contexts
Sub-Saharan Africa and/or Pacific knowledge and networks
Social enterprise or for-purpose business development, preferably from start-up to scale
Health sector knowledge and networks
Personal Qualities
FREO2 are seeking candidates who share their passion and ambition for creating significant global change through a social enterprise paradigm.
The Product Manager is expected to provide leadership in a dynamic, creative and learning environment, to inspire collective action, to be innovative and bold, and to contribute their time and resources with humility and generosity to advance FREO2’s vision and mission.
Pneumonia remains the leading cause of death for children under five and is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. This illness kills 800,000 children each year, claiming the life of one child every 50 seconds.
5. Other Related Information or Requirements
International travel is expected to FREO2 countries of operation, subject to travel restrictions and appropriate consideration for employee health, safety and well-being.
6. Applications
Interested applicants are invited to send a copy of their CV and cover letter to people@freo2.org. It is expected that the cover letter addresses the selection criteria identified in the position description.
More detailed information of the Product Manager’s responsibilities regarding FREO2 technology development and commercialisation are available on request.
Applications close at 5 pm on Friday 26 November.
Applications will be reviewed by the FREO2 Recruitment Panel, then short-listed candidates invited for an interview. Preferred candidates will be invited to a second interview and discussions with key stakeholders including the FREO2 Board of Directors and team members.
