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Head of Product Management and Innovation - Job Opportunity at Trapeze Switzerland GmbH

Neuhausen am Rheinfall, Switzerland

Full-time

Executive

Posted: June 10, 2025

Hybrid

CHF 150,000 - 200,000 annually, reflecting the executive-level responsibilities, Swiss market premiums, P&L ownership, and the specialized nature of transportation technology leadership roles in the DACH region

Benefits

Opportunity to shape the technical future of a fast-growing company in sustainable public mobility, providing significant career impact and industry influence

Work at the cutting edge of mobility innovation, developing unique solutions that position you as a thought leader in transportation technology

Experience the agility and decision-making speed of a medium-sized company while leveraging the resources, stability, and global reach of an international group

Competitive salary package that reflects the strategic importance of the role and market positioning for senior product leadership

Flexible working arrangements including home office and workation opportunities, providing superior work-life balance compared to traditional corporate structures

Professional growth opportunities in a dynamic environment with access to global markets and emerging transportation technologies

Key Responsibilities

Drive market expansion through strategic market research and customer engagement, directly influencing company revenue growth and market positioning

Build and lead a high-performing product management organization that transforms technical capabilities into business value and competitive advantage

Execute comprehensive competitor intelligence and stakeholder analysis to inform strategic decisions that capture market share and defend against competitive threats

Develop and own the product roadmap that serves as the blueprint for company growth, customer satisfaction, and technological leadership

Implement value-based pricing strategies that maximize profit margins and establish premium market positioning for the company's solutions

Create and execute multi-year product strategy that anticipates market evolution and positions the company ahead of industry transformation

Partner with sales and marketing to design go-to-market strategies that exceed booking and revenue targets while establishing market dominance

Own P&L responsibility for product portfolio with five-year financial forecasting, directly impacting company valuation and investor confidence

Define and optimize key performance indicators that drive product success and organizational accountability across all business functions

Represent the company in industry standardization committees, establishing thought leadership and influencing industry direction

Lead technology trend analysis and market intelligence gathering to maintain competitive advantage and identify new business opportunities

Serve as the primary product evangelist, building brand recognition and thought leadership both internally and with external stakeholders

Establish industrial research partnerships that access cutting-edge innovation and government funding opportunities

Requirements

Education

A bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, business administration or engineering or equivalent

Experience

Work experience in a B2B product management role for a technology company with professional experience in a customer-facing role in the transport technology industry

Required Skills

Experience in designing and executing scalable, secure, and efficient technology solutions Strong background in product development and successful introduction of technology-based services Strategic thinker with a hands-on mentality and the ability to align technology with business goals Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset, with experience of working across departments and with executive management (native German speaker and very good English skills) Proven experience in leading and mentoring a team of product managers to successfully deliver integrated and strategic product roadmaps across cross-functional teams Effective presentation skills in front of opinion leaders, senior executives, and industry audiences Knowledge and a clear understanding of the transport technology industry Readiness to travel up to 30% within the DACH region

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The public transportation sector is experiencing unprecedented digital transformation driven by smart city initiatives, sustainability mandates, and post-pandemic mobility pattern changes. Real-time optimization, predictive analytics, and integrated mobility-as-a-service platforms are becoming essential competitive differentiators rather than nice-to-have features. European governments are accelerating investments in sustainable transport infrastructure through Green Deal funding and carbon reduction commitments, creating a multi-billion euro market expansion opportunity for companies that can deliver proven environmental impact alongside operational efficiency. The integration of AI, IoT, and big data analytics in transportation is moving from pilot projects to large-scale deployments, with cities demanding comprehensive solutions that can handle complex multimodal transportation networks and provide real-time passenger experience optimization.

Role Significance

Typically managing 8-15 product managers across multiple product lines, with indirect influence over 50-100 development, sales, and marketing professionals involved in product delivery and go-to-market execution

This is a C-suite adjacent executive role with direct P&L responsibility, multi-year strategic planning authority, and significant influence over company direction. The position reports to the Director of R&D but operates with considerable autonomy in driving product strategy and market expansion.

Key Projects

Multi-million euro digital transformation initiatives for major European transit authorities Development of next-generation mobility-as-a-service platforms integrating multiple transportation modes Implementation of AI-powered predictive maintenance and optimization systems for fleet operators Strategic partnerships with automotive OEMs for connected vehicle integration European Union research consortium participation for smart city transportation solutions

Success Factors

Deep understanding of the complex European transportation regulatory environment and standardization processes, combined with the ability to translate regulatory requirements into competitive product advantages Proven track record of building and scaling B2B product organizations in technical industries, with specific expertise in managing the long sales cycles and complex stakeholder dynamics typical of public sector customers Strategic thinking capabilities that can anticipate market evolution 3-5 years ahead while maintaining execution focus on immediate revenue and customer satisfaction objectives Cross-cultural leadership skills essential for managing teams across the DACH region while collaborating effectively with global stakeholders in the Modaxo alliance network

Market Demand

High demand with limited qualified candidates, as the role requires a unique combination of technical product management expertise, transportation industry knowledge, and executive leadership capabilities in a rapidly growing but specialized market

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Transportation industry expertise is absolutely essential as the sector has unique regulatory, operational, and customer dynamics that cannot be learned quickly. Success requires understanding of everything from vehicle scheduling algorithms to passenger information systems and the complex procurement processes of public transportation authorities. B2B product management experience with long sales cycles is crucial because transportation technology purchases involve multiple stakeholders, extensive evaluation periods, and implementation timelines measured in years rather than months. The ability to maintain customer engagement and manage complex negotiations is essential for success. Executive leadership and team building capabilities are vital as the role requires transforming the product organization while managing cross-functional relationships with sales, engineering, and marketing teams. The ability to influence without direct authority and build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups is critical. Strategic thinking and market analysis skills are fundamental as the role requires anticipating technology trends, competitive threats, and customer needs 3-5 years in advance while making investment decisions that will determine company success in a rapidly evolving market.

Beneficial Skills

Experience with public sector sales and procurement processes would accelerate success as many transportation customers are government entities with complex purchasing requirements and budget cycles Knowledge of IoT, AI, and data analytics technologies would enhance the ability to drive product innovation in areas like predictive maintenance, route optimization, and passenger experience enhancement International business experience would support expansion efforts within the Modaxo alliance and help navigate the cultural and regulatory differences across global transportation markets Financial modeling and venture capital experience would enhance the ability to evaluate strategic investments, partnerships, and acquisition opportunities in the rapidly consolidating transportation technology sector

Unique Aspects

Rare opportunity to lead product strategy for an established company undergoing digital transformation in the high-growth sustainable transportation sector, providing both stability and significant upside potential

Direct involvement in European transportation standardization processes, offering the chance to influence industry direction while building valuable regulatory expertise and professional networks

Access to the global Modaxo alliance network provides international expansion opportunities and exposure to diverse transportation markets beyond the traditional European focus

The role combines P&L responsibility with innovation leadership, offering a unique blend of business accountability and technical vision that accelerates executive career development

Career Growth

3-5 years to next executive level, given the high-growth nature of the sustainable transportation market and the strategic importance of this role in building scalable product organizations

Potential Next Roles

Chief Product Officer or Chief Technology Officer roles at larger transportation technology companies or mobility-focused unicorn startups Managing Director or CEO positions at regional technology companies serving the transportation sector Senior executive roles at major transportation OEMs leading their digital transformation initiatives Venture capital or private equity partner positions focused on mobility and smart city technology investments

Company Overview

Trapeze Switzerland GmbH

Trapeze operates as a established player in the global transportation technology ecosystem through the Modaxo alliance, providing the company with significant scale advantages while maintaining entrepreneurial agility. With over 2,000 customers across multiple continents and more than 30 years of industry experience, the company has demonstrated resilience and adaptation through multiple technology cycles.

Strong regional market position in German-speaking Europe with proven ability to compete against both large multinational corporations and emerging technology startups. The company's integration into the Modaxo alliance provides access to global resources while maintaining local market responsiveness.

The Switzerland location provides access to both the innovative Swiss technology ecosystem and the larger German transportation market, offering an ideal base for European expansion while benefiting from Switzerland's favorable business environment and proximity to major EU markets.

The company culture emphasizes innovation and trust as core values, suggesting a collaborative environment that empowers senior leaders to make strategic decisions without excessive bureaucratic oversight. The combination of startup agility with corporate resources creates an environment conducive to rapid innovation and market expansion.

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Head of Product Management and Innovation - Job Opportunity at Trapeze Switzerland GmbH

Benefits

Key Responsibilities

Requirements

Education

Experience

Required Skills

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Role Significance

Key Projects

Success Factors

Market Demand

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Beneficial Skills

Unique Aspects

Career Growth

Potential Next Roles

Company Overview

Trapeze Switzerland GmbH

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

Sauge AI Market Intelligence