Manager, Product Strategy & Operations

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Manager, Product Strategy & Operations

Company: eBay

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: Full time

Category: Product Operations / Strategy & Operations

Date Posted: November 4, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and innovate within eBay's Services & Experience portfolio, focusing on critical areas like ads, shipping, payments, monetization, compliance, and risk management.

• Drive operational excellence by leveraging AI tools to automate and enhance processes, significantly improving efficiency and reducing manual effort.

• Manage the product strategy and operational cadence for designated product areas, ensuring seamless execution of initiatives from planning through launch.

• Develop and implement AI agents and workflows to automate status updates, identify at-risk commitments, and generate recurring reports, directly contributing to operational efficiency gains.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with product leads, engineering, Finance, and program/product operations teams to deliver pivotal initiatives and achieve strategic objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a hybrid between traditional product operations and strategic GTM execution, with a strong emphasis on leveraging AI for automation and process optimization. The "protected" allocation of 30% to automation suggests a strategic initiative by eBay to embed AI-driven efficiency into its core product operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Product Strategy & Operations Management (approx. 45%):

  • Coordinate the operating cycle for assigned product areas, ensuring strict adherence to cadence, cross-team dependency management, launch readiness protocols, and accurate reporting.
  • Proactively monitor regulatory, risk, and partner requirements, meticulously identifying constraints, assigning ownership, and tracking deadlines to ensure compliance.
  • Conduct and facilitate weekly operating reviews and monthly business reviews, driving discussions to clear decisions and defined ownership for all action items.
  • Identify and proactively address any commitments at risk of delay, providing comprehensive data-driven insights and viable alternative options to stakeholders.

• AI-Driven Automation & Efficiency (at least 30%, protected):

  • Design, develop, and deploy AI agents and automated workflows to streamline status updates, automatically flag at-risk commitments, and generate routine operational reports.
  • Automate repetitive manual tasks to significantly improve operational efficiency, track hours saved, and reduce error rates, sharing successful methodologies with colleagues.
  • Create and maintain a comprehensive playbook documenting guidelines for AI tool usage and automation best practices to ensure widespread adoption and consistent application.
  • Quantify and report on the impact of automation initiatives, including hours saved and error rate reductions per workflow, to demonstrate ROI.

• Planning & Portfolio Support (approx. 15%):

  • Prepare essential planning documentation, including priority intake frameworks, goal-setting structures, and theme-level funding requests for the designated product area's planning cycle.
  • Collaborate closely with Finance to align the product area's commitments with the overall revenue plan, ensuring financial and operational synergy.

• Outcome Measurement & Assessment (approx. 10%):

  • Define clear, measurable success criteria for product launches and lead post-launch assessments in collaboration with product leads to evaluate performance against objectives.

  • Uphold and contribute to shared reporting standards, actively proposing improvements to enhance data accuracy and stakeholder comprehension.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit allocation of time for "Automate your own work" highlights a forward-thinking approach to operations roles, where individuals are expected to be agents of change and efficiency through technology. This requires not only operational management skills but also a strong technical aptitude in AI and automation tools.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• 4 to 7 years of progressive experience in product operations, program management, business operations, strategy, or a technical role within a product or technology-driven organization.

• Demonstrated success in managing complex, cross-team delivery initiatives, including experience with external partners or navigating regulated product launches.

• Proven ability to develop and implement tools or agents that deliver significant time savings and measurable efficiency improvements. Required Skills:

• Product Operations & Strategy: Deep understanding of product lifecycle management, operating cycles, launch readiness processes, and strategic planning frameworks.

• AI & Automation Tools: Proficiency in leveraging LLM APIs (e.g., for natural language processing, workflow automation), SQL for data extraction and analysis, and Python for scripting and automation development. Familiarity with workflow automation tools.

• Project & Program Management: Strong capabilities in coordinating cross-team delivery, managing dependencies, tracking progress, and ensuring timely execution of complex initiatives.

• Stakeholder Communication: Excellent ability to communicate potential risks, provide data-driven solutions, and present findings clearly and concisely to senior leadership.

• Data Analysis & Reporting: Skill in defining success metrics, conducting post-launch assessments, and adhering to reporting standards, with a focus on accuracy and actionable insights.

• Process Improvement: A proactive mindset focused on identifying inefficiencies, developing automated solutions, and documenting best practices.

• Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to reviewing model outputs and ensuring the accuracy of data and reports.

• Written Communication: Strong writing skills with the ability to present conclusions upfront and articulate complex information effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the e-commerce industry.

• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies.

• Experience with specific CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce) or business intelligence tools.

• Knowledge of compliance and risk management frameworks relevant to online platforms.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for proficiency in LLM APIs, SQL, and Python strongly indicates that this role is not just about managing processes, but actively building and implementing solutions. Candidates should be prepared to showcase projects where they've used these tools to drive tangible operational improvements.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Process Optimization Case Studies: Showcase examples of how you have analyzed existing operational processes, identified inefficiencies, and implemented improvements (preferably automated) that led to measurable gains in time savings, cost reduction, or error reduction.

• Automation Tool Development: Provide evidence of tools, agents, or scripts you have developed using AI, Python, SQL, or workflow tools to automate repetitive tasks, generate reports, or manage project status. Quantify the impact (e.g., hours saved, error rate reduction).

• Cross-Team Delivery Management: Demonstrate experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, highlighting your ability to coordinate dependencies, manage risks, and ensure successful delivery against timelines.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Include examples of how you have used data to inform strategic decisions, assess outcomes, and present solutions to senior leadership.

• Playbook/Documentation Examples: If available, share examples of process documentation, playbooks, or guidelines you have created to standardize operations or promote adoption of new tools/methodologies.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to have experience in documenting operational workflows, from initial analysis and design through to implementation and ongoing measurement.

• This includes creating clear, concise documentation for AI-driven agents and automated workflows to facilitate adoption and knowledge sharing.

• Experience in defining and adhering to shared reporting standards for operational metrics and project status.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the emphasis on AI and automation, the portfolio should strongly feature projects where candidates have built and deployed solutions. Quantifiable results and clear explanations of the technical approach (AI, Python, SQL) will be critical for demonstrating capability.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• C$102,800 - C$137,200 annually.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: This salary range is specific to Toronto, Canada, reflecting local market conditions for a Manager-level role with specialized technical and operational responsibilities in a major tech company. The range is competitive for experienced professionals in product strategy and operations, particularly those with AI/automation skill sets.

Benefits:

• Medical Benefits: Comprehensive health coverage.

• Financial Benefits: Including RRSP eligibility, indicating a retirement savings plan.

• Paid Time Off: Generous PTO and parental leave policies.

• Equity & Bonus: Potential for a target bonus and restricted stock units (RSUs), aligning employee success with company performance.

• Other Benefits: A full range of additional benefits will be detailed upon offer.

Working Hours:

• Typically 40 hours per week.

• 📝 Enhancement Note: While a standard 40-hour work week is stated, the hybrid work arrangement and the nature of operations roles may require flexibility. The emphasis on automation suggests an aim to optimize work efficiency within standard hours rather than expecting extensive overtime.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: E-commerce & Technology. eBay operates as a global leader in online marketplaces, connecting millions of buyers and sellers worldwide. This context means the operations role is critical for ensuring the smooth functioning of a complex, high-volume platform.

Company Size: eBay is a large, established global corporation with a significant employee base. This implies structured processes, opportunities for impact across a broad scale, and potential for career advancement within a large organization.

Founded: eBay was founded in 1995, giving it a long history and deep experience in the e-commerce landscape. This longevity suggests a stable company with evolving strategies to remain competitive in a dynamic market.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to the Director of Product Strategy and Operations, indicating a clear reporting line within a dedicated operations or product strategy function.

• Collaboration is expected with Product Leads, Engineering teams, Finance, and other Program and Product Operations teams, emphasizing a cross-functional and matrixed work environment.

• The team likely consists of experienced professionals focused on driving operational efficiency and strategic execution within the Services & Experience portfolio. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The role requires defining success criteria, conducting post-launch assessments, and providing data-driven solutions, underscoring a commitment to evidence-based strategies.

• Process Optimization & Automation: A core tenet of the role is to automate repetitive tasks and improve operational efficiency, suggesting a culture that values innovation in how work is done.

• Strategic Planning & Execution: The responsibilities include supporting planning cycles, preparing funding requests, and ensuring commitments align with revenue plans, highlighting a focus on strategic alignment and execution.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: eBay's culture, as described, emphasizes customer focus, authenticity, bold ideas, and inclusivity. For an operations role, this translates to a work environment that encourages proactive problem-solving, innovative approaches to efficiency (especially with AI), and collaborative efforts to achieve business objectives.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Manager-level position, indicating a significant level of responsibility for strategy, execution, and team-wide process improvement. It requires a blend of strategic thinking, operational execution, and technical proficiency, particularly in AI and automation.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Director of Product Strategy and Operations, placing it within a senior operations leadership track. This provides visibility to senior management and opportunities to influence strategic direction.

Operations Impact: The role directly impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of eBay's Services & Experience portfolio, which includes critical revenue-generating and customer-facing functions like ads, shipping, and payments. By automating processes and optimizing operations, this role contributes directly to cost savings, improved customer experience, and faster time-to-market for new initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Technical Skill Advancement: Significant opportunities to deepen expertise in AI, LLM APIs, Python, and SQL through practical application in a large-scale, real-world environment.

• Strategic Leadership: Develop strategic planning capabilities, influence product roadmaps, and gain experience in portfolio management and financial alignment.

• Process Innovation: Lead initiatives to transform operational processes through automation, potentially setting new standards for efficiency within eBay.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Build strong relationships and gain experience collaborating with diverse teams (Product, Engineering, Finance), enhancing leadership and communication skills.

• Career Progression: Potential to move into more senior strategy, operations leadership, or specialized AI/automation roles within eBay or the broader tech industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "protected" allocation for automation work signifies an investment in developing internal AI capabilities. This role offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of applying AI to operational challenges within a major e-commerce platform, which is a highly valuable and growing career path.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, allowing for a blend of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility. This model aims to balance the benefits of face-to-face interaction with the autonomy and flexibility of remote work.

Office Location(s): The position is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, likely within a designated eBay office space designed for collaboration and productivity.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model and cross-functional responsibilities suggest a workplace that encourages team collaboration, brainstorming, and knowledge sharing, both in person and virtually.

• Technology-Rich: As a tech company, eBay likely provides employees with access to modern technology, including powerful workstations, relevant software, and robust network infrastructure necessary for operations and development tasks.

• Operations Focus: The workspace will support detailed work such as data analysis, process mapping, and development, with opportunities for interaction with product and engineering teams to drive operational improvements.

Work Schedule:

• Standard working hours are expected to be around 40 hours per week. The hybrid nature and focus on efficiency may offer some flexibility in structuring the workday, but core collaboration times will likely be established.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model in a major tech hub like Toronto suggests a dynamic work environment that values both structured office presence for collaboration and the flexibility that operations professionals often seek for focused work.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess alignment with core qualifications, particularly experience in product operations, program management, and AI/automation tools.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your experience, understanding of product strategy and operations, and your approach to automation and problem-solving. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your career.

• Technical/Skills Assessment: This may involve a coding challenge (e.g., SQL, Python) or a case study focused on process automation, AI application, or operational problem-solving relevant to eBay's business.

• Panel Interview: Interaction with potential team members and stakeholders (e.g., Product Leads, Engineering partners) to assess collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit. Questions will likely probe your ability to manage cross-functional initiatives and present data-driven solutions.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit within the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Everything: For each project, clearly state the problem, your solution, the tools used (especially AI, Python, SQL), and the quantifiable results (e.g., % time saved, % error reduction, $ impact).

• Highlight Automation Impact: Dedicate significant space to showcasing your AI and automation projects. Explain the technical approach and the business value generated.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by skill area (e.g., Process Automation, Cross-Team Delivery, Strategic Planning) or by project. Start with a strong executive summary.

• Tailor to eBay: Research eBay's business, its Services & Experience portfolio, and its stated values. Frame your experience and examples in a way that resonates with their specific challenges and objectives.

• Prepare to Walk Through: Be ready to present 1-2 key projects in detail, explaining your thought process, challenges faced, and how you collaborated with others.

Challenge Preparation:

• AI/Automation Scenarios: Practice developing hypothetical AI agents or automated workflows for common operational tasks (e.g., status reporting, risk identification, data aggregation).

• SQL/Python Practice: Refresh your skills in writing efficient SQL queries for data extraction and analysis, and Python scripting for automation.

• Process Mapping: Be ready to quickly map out a process and identify areas for improvement and automation.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare to articulate complex technical solutions and operational strategies in a clear, concise manner suitable for both technical and non-technical audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess both operational leadership capabilities and hands-on technical skills in AI and automation. A strong, results-oriented portfolio that clearly demonstrates these skills will be crucial for advancing in the application process.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• AI/ML Platforms: Experience with LLM APIs is a must. This could include working with APIs from providers like OpenAI, Google AI, or similar platforms for building intelligent agents and automating tasks.

• Programming Languages: Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, and potentially data analysis.

• Database Querying: Strong SQL skills for data extraction, manipulation, and analysis from various databases.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Familiarity with tools designed for building and managing automated workflows (specific tools may vary, but the concept of workflow design is key).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: While not explicitly listed, experience with BI tools for data visualization and dashboard creation (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) would be highly beneficial for reporting and outcome measurement.

• Spreadsheet Software: Advanced proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets for data analysis and reporting.

• Reporting Standards Adherence: Ability to work within and contribute to established reporting frameworks.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Experience with enterprise CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce) is often relevant for understanding customer data, sales processes, and managing operational workflows related to customer interactions.

• Integration Platforms: Familiarity with how different systems connect and exchange data is valuable for end-to-end process automation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of LLM APIs, SQL, and Python indicates a strong preference for candidates who can actively build and implement solutions. A candidate's ability to demonstrate hands-on experience with these technologies will be a significant differentiator.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency & Automation: A core value is the continuous pursuit of operational efficiency through automation and process improvement.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Decisions are expected to be informed by data, with a focus on measurable outcomes and ROI.

• Customer Centricity: As an e-commerce platform, eBay's operations are ultimately driven by the needs of its buyers and sellers.

• Collaboration & Inclusivity: The company culture promotes working together across teams and valuing diverse perspectives.

• Bold Ideas & Innovation: Encouragement to explore new approaches, such as leveraging AI for operations, and to challenge the status quo.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where working closely with Product, Engineering, Finance, and other operations teams is standard practice.

• Proactive Communication: A culture that values clear, upfront communication, especially regarding risks and potential solutions.

• Knowledge Sharing: The emphasis on creating playbooks and sharing successful automation methods suggests a culture that supports learning and development across the team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The combination of a data-driven culture with a strong push for AI automation suggests a team that is both analytical and forward-thinking, eager to adopt new technologies to solve complex business problems.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapidly Evolving AI Landscape: Keeping pace with the advancements in AI and LLM technology to continuously identify new automation opportunities.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring buy-in and seamless integration of automated solutions across various departments with potentially different priorities.

• Data Quality & Integration: Overcoming challenges related to data consistency, accessibility, and integration across different systems for effective AI model training and reporting.

• Change Management: Driving adoption of new AI-powered tools and automated processes among colleagues who may be accustomed to traditional methods.

• Balancing Automation with Human Oversight: Ensuring that automated processes are robust and that appropriate human oversight is maintained, especially in regulated areas like compliance and risk.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI/ML Specialization: Deepen expertise in prompt engineering, LLM fine-tuning, and the application of AI in business operations.

• Platform Strategy: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategic levers within eBay's Services & Experience portfolio and how operations contribute to business success.

• Technical Skill Enhancement: Opportunities to refine Python, SQL, and workflow automation skills through hands-on project work.

• Leadership Development: Grow leadership capabilities through managing projects, influencing stakeholders, and potentially mentoring junior team members.

• Industry Exposure: Gain insights into the e-commerce industry's operational challenges and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a unique opportunity to tackle cutting-edge operational challenges by applying AI and automation in a large-scale e-commerce environment, providing significant professional growth in a high-demand field.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you used AI or automation to significantly improve an operational process. What was the challenge, your solution, and the quantifiable outcome?"

• "How would you approach coordinating the operating cycle for a new product launch within eBay's Services & Experience portfolio, considering potential regulatory constraints?"

• "Imagine a key project commitment is at risk. How would you identify this risk, what data would you gather, and how would you present viable options to senior leadership?"

• "How do you prioritize automation opportunities? What criteria do you use to decide which tasks are most suitable for AI intervention?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of eBay, where do you see the biggest opportunities for AI-driven operational improvements within our Services & Experience portfolio?"

• "How do you ensure collaboration and alignment when working with Product, Engineering, and Finance teams on complex initiatives?"

• "Describe your approach to documenting and sharing best practices for automation tools to ensure widespread adoption within a team."

• "How do you stay updated on the latest AI technologies and trends relevant to operations?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with Impact: Begin your presentation with your most impactful automation or process improvement project, clearly stating the business value and ROI.

• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use visuals (screenshots, simplified diagrams) to illustrate your workflows, AI agents, or data analysis.

• Explain the 'Why' and 'How': For each project, clearly articulate the problem you were solving, your thought process, the specific technologies (LLM APIs, Python, SQL) you employed, and the challenges you overcame.

• Quantify Results: Ensure all claims of improvement are backed by specific metrics (e.g., hours saved, reduction in error rates, faster turnaround times).

• Connect to eBay: Whenever possible, draw parallels between your experience and eBay's business, culture, and stated goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss the technical details of your AI/automation projects and to articulate the strategic and business impact. Candidates who can demonstrate a strong command of both technical execution and strategic operational thinking will be most successful.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Workday link.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords such as "Product Strategy," "Product Operations," "AI Automation," "LLM APIs," "SQL," "Python," "Workflow Tools," "Cross-team Delivery," and "Process Improvement." Quantify your achievements with specific metrics wherever possible.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a portfolio that prominently features your experience with AI-driven automation and process optimization. Include case studies with clear problem statements, your solutions (detailing the tools and technologies used), and quantifiable results. For example, showcase a project where you developed an AI agent to automate status updates and quantify the hours saved.

• Interview Practice: Rehearse answers to common interview questions focusing on your experience with product operations, strategy, and automation. Practice articulating your portfolio projects and prepare to discuss how you would approach challenges specific to eBay's e-commerce environment.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research eBay, its Services & Experience portfolio, its business model, and its stated company values. Understand how the role of Product Strategy & Operations contributes to eBay's overall success in the e-commerce landscape.

⚠️ 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.