Randstad Digital

Description/role

The client is looking for an experienced Product Owner / Team Manager to lead the Network Design Tooling (Ndt) team within the Product Journey Tribe.

The team is responsible for the applications that support the inventory, design, build and maintenance of Wyre's HFC and Fiber network. A key platform within the domain is Marlin, the physical network inventory system containing all network infrastructure information for Belgium's cable and fiber network.

The environment combines IT, engineering and Telecom infrastructure domains. The role requires someone capable of defining a long-term product vision, improving delivery quality, managing vendors, and guiding a multidisciplinary team through a period of transformation and modernization.

Responsibilities

Define and execute the product vision and roadmap for Network Design Tooling

Translate strategic objectives into actionable team goals and priorities

Own, maintain and prioritize the product backlog

Drive delivery excellence, quality improvements and operational stability

Manage the full product lifecycle and product health

Lead and coach a multidisciplinary team of analysts, developers and vendor resources

Take on people management and HR responsibilities for the core team

Manage relationships with external delivery partners and vendors in Belgium and abroad

Align stakeholders across Telenet, Wyre and other business domains

Prioritize initiatives and influence stakeholders in a complex environment with competing demands

Contribute to the modernization of the application landscape, including cloud adoption, CI/CD practices and automation initiatives

Monitor capacity planning, budget and team performance together with Tribe and Cluster leadership

Requirements & qualifications

Master's degree or equivalent through experience

Minimum 5 years of experience as Product Owner, Product Lead or similar leadership role

Experience managing teams and coaching multidisciplinary profiles

Proven experience working with software development teams and external vendors

Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills

Ability to build and communicate a clear long-term vision

Experience operating in complex enterprise environments

Understanding of Agile methodologies and product delivery practices

Experience in Telecom, utilities, network infrastructure or engineering environments is highly valued

Must have skills:

Product Ownership in an IT or Telecom related environment

Team leadership and people management experience

Strong stakeholder management and communication skills

Vendor and partner management experience

Backlog management and prioritization

Agile product delivery knowledge

Ability to work with developers, analysts and technical teams

Strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution

Fluent English language skills

Nice to have skills:

Experience within Telecom, utilities or infrastructure companies (e.g. network operators, energy utilities)

Knowledge of fiber, HFC, network inventory or network design processes

Physical Network Inventory tooling experience

Experience with Marlin, Mercator or similar network design applications

Knowledge of OSS/BSS environments

Dutch language skills

Experience driving modernization initiatives involving cloud, CI/CD and test automation