Product Manager - Business Applications

Overview

Salt is collaborating with a leading organisation in the UAE aviation and logistics sector to recruit a seasoned Product Manager specializing in Business Applications. This senior, technically engaged role entails overseeing a portfolio of essential business applications that support intricate, high-volume operations. The role bridges technology strategies with operational needs by defining the applications roadmap, enhancing service delivery, and fostering technology modernization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, performance monitoring, and full lifecycle management of vital business applications.
• Convert operational requirements into detailed product roadmaps, prioritized backlogs, and justified investment proposals.
• Manage application changes, releases, and configuration efforts within established governance frameworks.
• Create a scalable application support model that aligns with IT Service Management (ITSM) best practices.
• Enhance service performance through proactive monitoring, root cause analysis, knowledge management, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee application architecture, integration, and data synchronization across cloud, API, and middleware platforms.
• Collaborate closely with teams in infrastructure, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data management, and operations.
• Administer strategic vendor relationships, contracts, service levels, and commercial performance metrics.
• Identify and implement opportunities to simplify the application landscape, increase resilience, and reduce technology expenses.
• Utilize automation technologies, artificial intelligence, process mining, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to eliminate manual workflows and boost operational efficiency.
• Conduct discovery sessions and innovation projects, guiding new concepts from idea through proof of value.

Candidate Profile

• At least 7 years of experience managing enterprise-scale or mission-critical business applications.
• Robust industry knowledge in aviation, airport operations, cargo handling, ground handling, logistics, transportation, or similarly complex 24/7 operational sectors.
• Proven track record in application strategy ownership, roadmapping, release management, service delivery, and ongoing performance improvement.
• Experience in setting up or leading application support functions.
• Comprehensive understanding of IT service management frameworks, including service-level agreements (SLAs), operational-level agreements (OLAs), and governance practices.
• Familiarity with modern application integration techniques, cloud environments, APIs, and enterprise data ecosystems.
• Experience in handling technology vendor relationships, contract negotiations, and commercial accountability.
• Comfortable engaging with senior executives, technology leadership, and frontline operational personnel.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Technology, or a closely related field.
• ITIL certification is highly preferred; qualifications in PMP, Agile, or SAFe frameworks are beneficial.

Additional Information

This position is a 12-month contract based onsite in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with potential for extension. It offers a prominent opportunity to influence the applications strategy of a mission-critical operational organisation and contribute significantly to a digital transformation agenda. The role demands leadership in applications management combined with deep industry expertise in aviation or logistics sectors.