Product Line Manager Lead

Founded in 1984, AFL is an industry-recognized global leader in optical fiber network infrastructure. Our customer-first, high-speed fiber network solutions serve various markets - including energy, enterprise, and hyperscale - across 130+ countries. Products and services include single- and multi-mode optical fiber cable, test and inspection equipment, and our award-winning Data Center Interconnect solution, enabling centralized resource management for enhanced performance across multiple data center facilities.

Key responsibilities:

• Define and execute product line strategy, roadmaps, pricing, and portfolio priorities.
• Lead new product development and commercialization, from market requirements through launch.
• Manage the full product lifecycle, including investment, enhancement, repositioning, or retirement decisions.
• Own product line business performance, including revenue, margin, profitability, and corrective actions.
• Enable sales success through training, content, tools, market insights, and customer-facing support.
• Build strategic partnerships with customers, partners, rack manufacturers, and emerging companies.
• Lead cross-functional alignment across engineering, operations, sales, marketing, finance, and support.
• Manage and develop PLM talent, driving accountability, execution, and improved ways of working.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Engineering, Science, Business Administration, or related field
• 5+ years’ experience in product marketing, product development, or related field
• Strong project management skills
• Product Management/Marketing expertise, including market trends/analysis, NPI process, product roadmap development, product life-cycle management,
• Experience working effectively within a matrix environment
• Data Center Ecosystem Experience: knowledge of the overall environment and infrastructure within data centers, including the different components and how they interact (e.g., networking equipment, rack power distribution, and cooling)
• Proven track record of successfully establishing initial engagement with companies, driving productive collaborations and fostering successful partnerships

• Moderate travel is required
• Ability to work extended hours to accommodate global operations may be required
• Occasional flexibility may be required to support global stakeholders across time zones.

• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing teams, including setting clear goals, providing structured coaching, and driving accountability within a matrixed environment.
• Proven ability to influence and lead cross-functional stakeholders at multiple organizational levels, driving alignment, decision-making, and execution in fast-moving or evolving business conditions.

This role will be based in Milton Keynes on a hybrid working arrangement