Head of Product Strategy & Requirement Planning

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Head of Product Strategy & Requirement Planning

Company: Daimler Truck

Location: Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Strategy & Operations

Date Posted: 2026-08-13

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the development and execution of product strategy for the Global South region, translating market intelligence and customer insights into actionable plans.

• Serve as a critical liaison between regional stakeholders and global product management to ensure effective consolidation and prioritization of product requirements.

• Drive the evolution of a competitive and future-focused product portfolio across Distribution and Vocational segments, aligning with business objectives.

• Shape the product roadmap, fostering cross-functional collaboration to deliver scalable, profitable, and customer-centric solutions.

• Utilize data-driven storytelling and strategic thinking to influence product decisions and support Daimler Truck's long-term growth ambitions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Head of Product Strategy & Requirement Planning," has significant operational and strategic planning components that align closely with Revenue Operations (RevOps) and Go-To-Market (GTM) functions. The emphasis on translating market intelligence into actionable strategies, managing requirements, and influencing product roadmaps directly impacts sales enablement, market penetration, and revenue generation. The "Global South" focus suggests a need for nuanced market understanding and adaptable operational strategies.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and articulate a clear, data-driven product strategy for the Global South region, incorporating market intelligence, customer needs, and regulatory landscapes.

• Translate strategic objectives into detailed product requirements, ensuring alignment with global product management standards and regional market demands.

• Act as the primary point of contact for regional stakeholders, facilitating communication and consensus-building on product development priorities.

• Own the consolidation and prioritization of product requirements, leveraging robust business case development and TCO modeling to justify investments.

• Collaborate closely with Global Product Management, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, and After-Sales teams to ensure seamless product development and launch cycles.

• Drive the creation and maintenance of the product roadmap for the Global South, balancing short-term market needs with long-term strategic goals.

• Conduct competitive benchmarking and market analysis to identify opportunities for product differentiation and portfolio optimization.

• Develop and present compelling business cases for new product initiatives and portfolio enhancements, demonstrating clear ROI and strategic value.

• Monitor product performance against key metrics, providing insights and recommendations for continuous improvement and lifecycle management.

• Foster a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous learning within the product strategy function.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic planning and operational execution. The emphasis on "consolidating and prioritizing product requirements" and acting as a "key liaison" directly translates to operational efficiency in product development. The need to translate "market intelligence" into "actionable product strategy" requires strong analytical and communication skills, akin to those found in GTM operations roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Marketing, or a related field.

• Postgraduate degree (MBA or equivalent) is considered an advantage. Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in product strategy, product management, or a closely related field, preferably within the automotive, transportation, or industrial sectors.

• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful product strategies that drive market share and revenue growth.

• Experience working in a matrix organization with diverse cross-functional teams.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and presenting business cases and product roadmaps. Required Skills:

• Product Strategy Development: Ability to define and articulate long-term product vision and strategic direction.

• Market Intelligence & Analysis: Expertise in gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing market data, competitive intelligence, and customer insights.

• Requirements Management: Proficiency in translating complex needs into clear, actionable product requirements and specifications.

• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to build relationships, influence, and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders across different regions and functions.

• Business Case Development: Strong analytical skills to build robust business cases, including financial modeling and ROI analysis.

• Strategic Thinking: Capacity to understand market dynamics, anticipate future trends, and develop proactive strategies.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with diverse teams including engineering, sales, marketing, and finance.

• Data-driven Storytelling: Skill in using data and analytics to communicate insights and influence decision-making.

Preferred Skills:

• Portfolio Management: Experience in optimizing product portfolios for profitability and market competitiveness.

• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Modeling: Expertise in developing and utilizing TCO models for commercial vehicle segments.

• Product Lifecycle Management: Understanding of the end-to-end product lifecycle from ideation to end-of-life.

• Commercial Vehicle Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the Distribution and Vocational truck segments.

• International Market Experience: Specific experience with markets in the Global South region.

• Leadership Experience: Demonstrated ability to lead teams and drive strategic initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "requirements management," "business case development," and "stakeholder management" points to a need for strong operational rigor. The preferred skills in "Portfolio Management" and "TCO Modeling" indicate a data-driven and financially-conscious approach, crucial for optimizing product investments and ensuring profitability, aligning with operational excellence principles.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Product Strategy Frameworks: Demonstrated ability to develop and apply structured frameworks for product strategy formulation and execution.

• Market Analysis Reports: Portfolio pieces showcasing comprehensive market research, competitive analysis, and actionable insights derived from data.

• Product Requirement Documents (PRDs): Examples of well-defined PRDs that clearly articulate user needs, functional requirements, and technical specifications.

• Business Cases & ROI Analyses: Evidence of successful business case development for new product initiatives, including financial projections and return on investment calculations.

• Product Roadmap Presentations: Visualizations and strategic narratives of product roadmaps, demonstrating prioritization logic and alignment with business goals.

Process Documentation:

• Requirement Gathering & Prioritization Workflows: Documentation illustrating systematic approaches to collecting, analyzing, and prioritizing product requirements from diverse sources.

• Market Intelligence Synthesis Process: Workflows detailing how market data, customer feedback, and competitive information are consolidated and transformed into strategic recommendations.

• Cross-functional Collaboration Protocols: Defined processes for engaging and aligning with global product management, engineering, sales, and marketing teams throughout the product lifecycle.

• Product Strategy Review & Approval Process: Documentation outlining the steps and criteria for reviewing and approving product strategies and roadmaps, including key decision points.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a portfolio is critical. It should not just showcase what was done, but how. Demonstrating structured processes for requirement gathering, market analysis synthesis, and cross-functional alignment is key. This signals an ability to operationalize strategy, a core competency for any senior operations-related role.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

The estimated annual salary range for this Head of Product Strategy & Requirement Planning role in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is AED 350,000 - AED 550,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior leadership positions in the automotive/transportation sector in a major Middle Eastern hub, considering the extensive experience required (10+ years) and the strategic nature of the role. Factors influencing the range include the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and the overall compensation structure at Daimler Truck.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

• Generous paid time off (vacation, sick leave, public holidays).

• Retirement savings plan or end-of-service benefits as per UAE labor law.

• Professional development opportunities, including training, workshops, and conferences.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses and long-term incentives.

• Relocation assistance may be provided for international candidates.

• Access to company vehicle programs or allowances.

• Employee assistance programs for well-being and support. Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are approximately 40 hours per week, typically Monday to Friday.

• Flexibility may be required to accommodate global time zones and critical project deadlines.

• Office-based work is expected, with potential for occasional travel.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical senior-level product strategy roles in Dubai's automotive sector. Actual compensation will vary based on Daimler Truck's specific compensation philosophy, the candidate's qualifications, and negotiation. Benefits are standard for senior roles in multinational corporations in the UAE.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Automotive Manufacturing & Transportation Services. Daimler Truck is a global leader in commercial vehicles, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric solutions. The company operates in a highly competitive global market, driven by technological advancements, evolving customer needs, and stringent regulatory environments.

Company Size: Daimler Truck is a large, multinational corporation with tens of thousands of employees worldwide. This implies a structured organizational environment with established processes, extensive resources, and opportunities for global collaboration.

Founded: Daimler AG, the parent company from which Daimler Truck was spun off, has a long history dating back to the invention of the automobile. Daimler Truck AG itself was established as an independent entity in December 2021, building on a legacy of over a century of innovation in commercial vehicle technology.

Team Structure:

• The Head of Product Strategy & Requirement Planning will likely be part of the Global Product Marketing or Product Management function.

• This role will operate within a matrix structure, requiring close collaboration with regional teams (Global South) and global product management counterparts.

• Direct reports may be present, depending on the specific team structure and seniority level within the organization.

• The team is expected to be composed of experienced professionals with diverse backgrounds in product management, marketing, engineering, and market analysis. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using market data, customer insights, and performance metrics to inform product strategy and requirement prioritization.

• Agile & Iterative Development: While strategic planning is long-term, the product development process likely incorporates agile principles for adaptability and continuous improvement.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Strong focus on collaboration and communication across departments to ensure integrated product development and market launch.

• Customer-Centricity: A core philosophy centered around understanding and meeting customer needs to deliver value and drive satisfaction.

Company Website: https://www.daimlertruck.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Daimler Truck's size and global reach suggest a need for robust operational processes and the ability to navigate complex organizational structures. The "matrix organization" aspect is critical for candidates to understand, as success will depend on influencing without direct authority and building strong relationships across different business units and geographies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership position, equivalent to a Director or Vice President level within a specialized product strategy function. It requires a blend of strategic vision, deep market understanding, and operational execution capabilities. The role is pivotal in shaping the future product portfolio and directly influencing revenue streams within the Global South region.

Reporting Structure: The Head of Product Strategy & Requirement Planning will likely report to a senior executive within Global Product Management, Global Marketing, or a regional leadership role. They will collaborate extensively with counterparts in Global Product Management, Regional Sales, and Marketing leadership.

Operations Impact: This role has a significant impact on revenue and business decisions by:

• Defining the product offering that directly addresses market demand and competitive pressures, influencing sales volume and market share.

• Prioritizing product investments, ensuring resources are allocated to initiatives with the highest potential ROI and strategic alignment.

• Shaping the product roadmap, which dictates future revenue streams and long-term competitive positioning.

• Ensuring product requirements meet profitability targets and commercial viability for the Global South market. Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to move into broader product management leadership roles, regional leadership positions, or global strategy functions within Daimler Truck.

• Specialization Deepening: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in commercial vehicle product strategy for emerging markets and specific vehicle segments.

• Cross-functional Mobility: Potential to transition into senior roles within Global Marketing, Sales Operations, or Business Development, leveraging deep market and product knowledge.

• Strategic Project Leadership: Leading key strategic initiatives, new market entries, or major product portfolio transformations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is a strategic leadership position with significant operational implications. Growth opportunities are substantial, given the critical nature of product strategy to Daimler Truck's success, especially in dynamic emerging markets. The "operations impact" section highlights how product strategy directly feeds into revenue generation and GTM success.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is an on-site role based in Jebel Ali, Dubai. The work environment will be within a corporate office setting, likely part of a larger Daimler Truck regional hub or office complex.

Office Location(s): Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This location serves as a key operational and commercial hub for the region, offering excellent connectivity and access to major transportation networks.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect an office designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, shared workspaces, and areas for team interaction.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard corporate IT infrastructure, including productivity software, communication tools, and potentially specialized product management and analytics platforms.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with a diverse team of product managers, market analysts, sales professionals, and engineers, both locally and globally via virtual collaboration tools.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week (Monday-Friday) is the baseline.

• The nature of international product strategy may necessitate occasional flexibility outside of standard hours to connect with global teams or respond to urgent market developments.

• Travel may be required periodically for market visits, customer engagements, or internal strategy meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "collaboration" and "cross-functional interaction" is key for operations professionals. Understanding the physical workspace context helps in evaluating the day-to-day work environment and the opportunities for seamless communication and problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will review applications for basic qualifications and experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to assess strategic thinking, leadership potential, and alignment with the role's core responsibilities.

• Technical/Case Study Interview: This stage often involves a presentation or deep dive into a specific product strategy challenge or a portfolio review. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate their analytical skills, strategic approach, and ability to translate market insights into actionable plans.

• Cross-functional Panel Interview: Interviews with key stakeholders from Global Product Management, Sales, Marketing, and potentially Engineering to evaluate collaboration skills and ability to influence across departments.

• Final Interview: May involve senior leadership for final approval and discussion of cultural fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Narrative: Structure your portfolio to tell a compelling story about your strategic contributions. Highlight the problem, your approach, the solution, and the measurable impact.

• Quantifiable Results: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the success of your strategies and initiatives (e.g., market share increase, revenue growth, cost reduction).

• Process Demonstration: Showcase your systematic approach to requirement gathering, market analysis, and strategy development. Use diagrams or workflow descriptions if helpful.

• Global South Focus: If possible, include examples relevant to emerging markets or regions with similar characteristics to the Global South, demonstrating adaptability.

• Conciseness & Clarity: Present your work clearly and concisely. Focus on the most impactful projects and tailor your examples to the requirements of this specific role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Market Analysis Exercise: Be prepared to analyze a hypothetical market scenario for commercial vehicles in the Global South and propose a strategic approach.

• Requirement Prioritization: Expect a scenario where you need to prioritize a list of product requirements based on limited resources and competing business objectives.

• Business Case Presentation: Practice presenting a concise business case for a new product feature or variant, focusing on market opportunity, financial projections, and strategic fit.

• Stakeholder Alignment Scenario: Be ready to discuss how you would approach gaining buy-in from different regional and global stakeholders for a strategic product decision.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review and case study preparation are critical for this role. Candidates should focus on demonstrating not just theoretical knowledge but practical application of product strategy principles and a clear understanding of operational execution. The emphasis on "quantifiable results" and "process demonstration" is vital for operations-focused roles.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Management Software: Experience with tools like Jira, Confluence, Aha!, or Productboard for managing roadmaps, requirements, and product backlogs.

• CRM Systems: Familiarity with CRM platforms such as Salesforce or SAP CRM for understanding customer data and sales pipelines.

• BI & Analytics Tools: Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, or QlikView for data analysis, dashboard creation, and performance monitoring.

• Productivity Suites: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (for financial modeling, data analysis) and PowerPoint (for presentations, strategy articulation).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Experience with data warehousing solutions and SQL for data extraction and analysis.

• Ability to interpret complex datasets and generate actionable insights for strategic decision-making.

• Familiarity with reporting frameworks for tracking product performance, market penetration, and financial metrics. CRM & Automation:

• Understanding of how CRM data informs product strategy and market segmentation.

• Awareness of marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot) and their role in Go-To-Market execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this role is heavily strategic, proficiency with analytical and reporting tools (especially Power BI and Excel) is crucial for data-driven decision-making and creating compelling business cases. Familiarity with CRM systems provides essential context for understanding customer needs and sales dynamics.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Strategic Agility: Embracing adaptability and the ability to pivot strategies based on evolving market dynamics and customer feedback, a key operational imperative.

• Data-Driven Excellence: A commitment to using data and analytics as the foundation for all strategic decisions and operational planning.

• Customer Focus: Placing the customer at the center of all product development and strategy, ensuring solutions meet real-world needs.

• Collaboration & Inclusion: Fostering a work environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and cross-functional teamwork is encouraged to achieve collective goals.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for outcomes, driving initiatives to completion, and delivering measurable results.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Engagement: Actively seeking out collaboration with global and regional teams to ensure alignment and shared understanding of product strategy.

• Transparent Communication: Maintaining open and honest communication channels, sharing insights, challenges, and progress effectively.

• Constructive Feedback: Encouraging and providing constructive feedback to foster continuous improvement in product development and strategy execution.

• Partnership Approach: Working as a strategic partner with Sales, Marketing, Engineering, and other functions to co-create successful product outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of strategic foresight and operational rigor. "Strategic Agility" and "Data-Driven Excellence" are particularly relevant for operational success, requiring a systematic and adaptable approach to strategy execution.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Global vs. Regional Needs: Balancing the strategic imperatives of a global product organization with the specific, often diverse, needs and market conditions of the Global South region. This requires sophisticated operational segmentation and prioritization.

• Data Availability & Quality: Ensuring access to reliable and comprehensive market data for the Global South, which can sometimes be less readily available or consistent compared to developed markets. This necessitates creative data sourcing and analysis strategies.

• Cross-Cultural Communication: Effectively communicating and influencing stakeholders across various cultural backgrounds and business units within a large multinational corporation.

• Rapid Market Evolution: Keeping pace with fast-changing customer preferences, technological advancements, and regulatory shifts impacting the commercial vehicle industry in emerging economies.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Emerging Market Expertise: Developing deep insights and expertise in product strategy for emerging markets, a highly valuable skill set.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to Daimler Truck's internal leadership training and development programs.

• Industry Exposure: Opportunities to attend key industry conferences, trade shows, and regulatory forums to stay abreast of trends and network.

• Mentorship: Potential to be mentored by senior leaders within Daimler Truck's global product and strategy functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for strong operational problem-solving skills. Successfully navigating these requires robust processes for market analysis, stakeholder engagement, and strategic adaptation, which are core to operations roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a product strategy for a new market or region, specifically considering factors unique to the Global South." (Preparation: Outline your structured approach, emphasizing market research, competitive analysis, customer segmentation, and risk assessment.)

• "How do you prioritize product requirements when faced with competing demands from sales, engineering, and regional stakeholders?" (Preparation: Discuss prioritization frameworks like MoSCoW, RICE, or Weighted Scoring, and how you balance strategic alignment with feasibility.)

• "Walk us through a time you had to influence stakeholders to adopt a new product strategy or roadmap. What was the outcome?" (Preparation: Use the STAR method to detail a situation, your task, the actions you took to influence, and the measurable results.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Daimler Truck's current product portfolio and strategic direction, particularly concerning the Global South?" (Preparation: Research Daimler Truck's recent reports, news, and investor relations materials focusing on their commercial vehicle offerings and regional strategies.)

• "How would you foster collaboration between global product management and the regional teams in the Global South?" (Preparation: Discuss strategies for clear communication, shared goal setting, and building trust across geographies and functions.)

• "How do you ensure that product strategies are not only innovative but also commercially viable and profitable?" (Preparation: Emphasize your experience with financial modeling, TCO analysis, and business case development.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• The "Why, What, How, So What" Framework: For each portfolio example, clearly articulate the strategic "Why" (the problem/opportunity), the "What" (your role/solution), the "How" (your process/methodology), and the "So What" (the measurable impact/results).

• Visual Aids: Use clear, professional slides or documents. Diagrams, charts, and graphs are effective for illustrating processes and data.

• Concise Storytelling: Focus on the key elements of each project. Be prepared to go into detail if asked, but start with a high-level overview that captures attention.

• Focus on Operations: When discussing your process, highlight how you ensured operational efficiency, data integrity, and effective cross-functional execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for this interview requires demonstrating both strategic acumen and operational execution. Candidates should be ready to articulate their processes clearly and back up their claims with data and specific examples from their experience, particularly those that show an understanding of operationalizing strategy.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Head of Product Strategy & Requirement Planning position:

• Submit your application through the official Daimler Truck careers portal via the provided link.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in product strategy, market analysis, requirements planning, and cross-functional leadership, using keywords from the job description such as "Product Strategy," "Market Intelligence," "Requirements Management," and "Global South."

• Prepare your portfolio: Curate 2-3 key projects that best showcase your ability to develop and execute product strategies, manage requirements, and drive commercial success. Focus on quantifiable results and clear process documentation.

• Research Daimler Truck: Understand their current product lines, strategic initiatives (especially in emerging markets), and recent performance. Familiarize yourself with their company values and culture.

• Practice your interview responses: Prepare for questions related to strategic thinking, market analysis, stakeholder management, and your portfolio. Be ready to present a case study or discuss a complex strategic challenge.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.