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Richard Smith

Seeking a Product Manager Role: Driving Strategy, Agility & Innovation

As a Product Manager, I thrive at the intersection of technology, business, and human connection, turning complex challenges into impactful solutions. My career spans Hospitality, Airlines, Entertainment, Retail, Payments, and Renewable Energy, where I’ve successfully led product strategies, optimized workflows, and driven cross-functional collaboration to deliver measurable results.

With a degree in Hospitality Management, my early career was shaped by dynamic, customer-focused environments—an experience that honed my ability to anticipate needs, prioritize effectively, and execute under pressure. Recognizing the increasing role of technology in product leadership, I returned to school five years after graduating to build a strong foundation in technical skills. Since then, I have embraced a continuous learning strategy, layering expertise in Agile methodologies, backlog prioritization, data-driven decision-making, and strategic roadmapping to stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.

I am actively seeking a Product Manager role where I can leverage my expertise to bridge the gap between technology and customer needs, delivering innovative solutions that drive business growth and create meaningful impact.

I invite you to explore my professional narrative and connect for opportunities to collaborate on projects that push boundaries and drive innovation.

Product Manager Skills Matrix: The Must-Have Expertise to Build, Launch & Scale🚀

Skill/Competency Product Manager
Product Strategy & Vision
Market Research & Competitive Analysis
Go-To-Market Strategy
Backlog Prioritization & Roadmap Planning
Agile & Scrum Practices
Defining & Translating Requirements
Metrics & KPI Analysis
User Research & Testing
Stakeholder Managemen
Customer Feedback & UX Insights
Collaboration with Engineering & Design
Effective Communication & Storytelling
Persuasion & Negotiation
Managing Change & Adaptability
Workflow Optimization & Process Improvement
Risk Management & Problem-Solving
Scaling & Growth Tactics

Looking for a Product Manager? Let’s Talk!

Experienced Product Manager & Agile Leader

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Experience

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Product Owner

January 2023 - January 2025

Product Management Transformation: Led the transition from an Excel-based system to a Jira-integrated product roadmap, prioritizing the development of a Salesforce proof-of-concept onboarding flow to support the solar aggregation business. This initiative improved project visibility and facilitated more effective stakeholder communication. While the technical build met the outlined requirements successfully, the proof of concept revealed licensing constraints in Salesforce, providing critical insights that influenced future implementation strategies.

Collaboration on Agile Practices: Contributed to updating of agile practices within the team, enabling a flexible and iterative approach to delivering scalable solutions in the renewable energy space, despite challenges.

The Sustainable Choice Development: Prioritized the development of The Sustainable Choice. This consumer-driven REC retirement subscription service empowers individuals to balance their electricity usage with renewable energy, contributing to a cleaner US grid.

Building The Sustainable Choice required a strategic fusion of technology, business leadership, and environmental responsibility. The development of sustainable renewable energy projects was guided by agile methodologies, data-driven analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to align technical solutions with ecological restoration and community impact initiatives.

More On Sustainability

Software Accessibility & User Experience: Facilitated alignment between service principles, digital marketing and technical execution, ensuring improvements in software accessibility and user experience to meet sustainability goals.

Team Development & Learning: Fostered a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, enhancing project delivery and driving overall team performance

Software Tools Used

Jira, Figma, Adobe Creative Cloud, Lucid chart/spark, Salesforce, AWS, Native Code Environments.

Product Owner ( IT Business Solution Key Account Manager )

October 2018 - January 2023
Planet Payment Redhill Surrey UK

Digital Retail VAT Refund System Integration: Collaborated on the international implementation of a pioneering paperless VAT refund system, revolutionizing customer interactions and boosting operational efficiency for the UAE.

Collaborated with Sales, Marketing and Solution Consulting: Helped enable multiple Retail integrations of our propritory VAT Refund software across Europe where retail tourism was most prevalent.

Agile Development Management: Prioritized backlogs for two development streams, guiding a team of 16 agile members. Balanced front-end innovation with back-end integration, enhancing system performance by 70%.

Strategic Product Oversight: Ensured alignment of product developments with business goals, helping to drive improvements in client satisfaction and overall business value.

Career Highlight

One of my proudest accomplishments was prioritizing the development of a customer-centric retail VAT refunding system for Planet Payment. This initiative was a full product lifecycle solution, integrating software, retail partner systems, airport kiosks, and payment processing to streamline tax refunds for international tourists.

The seamless blend of physical and digital experiences made this achievement particularly significant, delivering a true end-to-end solution. Tourists engaged with intuitive airport kiosks while backend digital systems ensured smooth processing and compliance. The project required deep cross-functional collaboration, not only across retail partners, payment providers, and airport authorities but also within an international team of solution consultants. We worked across multiple European markets, ensuring version improvements and regulatory updates were aligned across different countries.

I take pride in this project because it was more than just a technical challenge it was about optimizing the customer experience in a high-traffic, time-sensitive environment. By building an intuitive, fast, and efficient VAT refunding process, we enhanced the shopping experience for global travelers while improving compliance and operational efficiency for merchants.

This experience reinforced my passion for creating solutions that bridge physical and digital interactions, foster international collaboration, and deliver measurable value to both businesses and end users.

IT Project Manager

March 2018 - October 2018
Li & Fung New York NY USA

ERP System Migration: Successfully led the migration of business-critical ERP systems from on-premises servers to AWS. Coordinated a cross-functional team including vendors, a software reseller, the onsite technical team, and the IT department of the international parent company.

Business Case & Proof of Concept: Developed the business case for the ERP migration and managed the IT proof of concept using a multi-stage, test-driven strategy. Proposed process improvements and integrated new requirements into the project plan.

Business Continuity & Security: Reviewed the IT environment, contributing to the Business Continuity plan. Managed the implementation of security audit findings, driving the integration of security reports into workflows and recommending further analysis of user permissions.

AWS Collaboration & Team Coaching: Collaborated closely with offshore technical teams to optimize their AWS landing zone utilization. Coached the team in Agile product management frameworks to enhance project delivery.

Business Analyst

May 2011 - March 2018
The Madison Square Garden Company New York NY USA

Transformation Project: Managed a team of 7 completing out part in a $100M arena transformation project where POS systems, time and attendance and uniform distribution upgrades were a part, managing the installation and configuration of new hardware. Authored user stories and coordinated sprints to ensure project milestones were met. Conducted user acceptance testing, ensuring system readiness.

Luxury Suites Portal: Analysed data and supported delivery of a VIP food and beverage ordering platform, boosting revenues by 23%. Managed cross-functional relationships, ensuring seamless integration between the website, inventory, and POS systems via API. Led end-to-end testing and technical documentation.

Executive Migration: Facilitated the sensitive data migration during the sale of Cablevision, maintaining transparent communication with all stakeholders. Rebuilt custom tools to support executive functions, ensuring a smooth transition.

Uniform Distribution Automation: Project managed the implementation of RFID technologies, reducing uniform loss by 30%. Evaluated vendor solutions and optimized distribution processes for better control and transparency.

Time and Attendance Clock Project: Rescued a delayed project by reestablishing clear communication between vendors and internal teams. Ensured successful deployment of new time-tracking hardware through meticulous project management and stakeholder alignment.

Senior Desktop Support

November 2010 - May 2011
Corning Incorporated (6 Month Contract) Corning NY USA

Supported technical equipment in labs, factories, and offices.

Assisted with UX for 200+ applications during workflow changes.

Managed small installation and configuration projects.

LAN Technician

September 2008 - November 2010
US Airways Inc New York NY USA

Proudly served as an IT Generalist, delivering critical technical support across the major East Coast airports, including LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark, with vacation coverage for Washington, DC, and Boston. This role demanded quick thinking and expert troubleshooting to maintain seamless operations in a fast-paced environment.

Led a major hardware refresh across the East Coast, overseeing the upgrade of terminal PCs and peripherals, ensuring timely execution and minimal disruption to airport operations.

Spearheaded the OS upgrade for all kiosks and peripheral devices, contributing to improved functionality and enhanced user experience.

This role was not just a job but a vital contribution to keeping one of the busiest regions in the world connected and operational, showcasing my dedication and technical expertise.

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Core Skills

Agile & SAFe Methodologies
SAFe 6.0 POPM Cert PSM1 Badge
Trending Skills
  • ✅ Backlog Alignment with Stakeholder Needs
  • ✅ Customer and Stakeholder Adovate
  • ✅ Focus that contributes to the vision and roadmap
  • ✅ Continuous Learning
  • ✅ Cross Functional Collaboration
  • ✅ Jira for visualizing Work In Progress (WIP)
Business Analysis

Corner Stone Skill 10+ Years

Business analysis Essentials
Foundational Skills 15+ Years
  • ✅ Communication Skills - Written and Aural
  • ✅ Data Analysis and Interpretation
  • ✅ Analyzing and improving business processes / flows
  • ✅ Translate requirements into technical specifications
  • ✅ Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Solution Consulting - Client Engagement

Client interaction ensures product alignment

Star Award winner two years in a row whilst Solution Consulting Manager at Planet Payment

Business analysis Essentials
Stretch Skills
  • ✅ Sales Process Expertise
  • ✅ Problem-Solving Skills
  • ✅ Technical Proficiency (Cloud Technology & BI)
  • ✅ Clear Communication
  • ✅ Product/Project Management

Education

University of Central England

BA HONS
Business Studies and Hospitality Management

August 1994 - May 1999

Leeds Grammar School

A Levels
1988 - 1994

Supporting Skills

Digital Marketing Certificates

My Digital Marketing Journey

My journey into digital marketing didn’t start in a classroom, it began over a decade ago when I first discovered Digital Marketer. At the time, formal training was financially out of reach, so I pieced together insights from YouTube videos, blogs, and hands-on projects. Through trial and error, I built a foundation that has since been strengthened by earning multiple certifications, each revealing how strategies, tools, and tactics integrate to create value in the broader marketing ecosystem.

These courses transformed how I approach problem-solving, emphasizing the power of relational equity earning trust by providing value upfront. I learned how to guide prospects who are aware of their problems but not yet sold on a solution by offering lead magnets or splinter offers. These are small, high-value deliverables shared through landing pages that initiate a nurturing journey. From there, email drip campaigns and targeted ads keep the conversation going, leading prospects step by step toward a primary conversion goal.

The structured approach taught in these certifications mirrors the shift I’ve made from a technology-driven to a product-driven mindset. Marketing is not a sequence of disconnected tactics but a thoughtful journey where every touchpoint is intentional and strategic. Prioritizing actions to ensure tools and tactics deliver measurable demand has been an invaluable lesson.

Creating this website was an exercise in applying these principles. Viewing myself as the “product,” I mapped out a journey to highlight my strengths, arranging core and supporting skills in a way that’s clear and compelling. It took six weeks of evenings and weekends to distill my experiences into meaningful content beyond buzzwords and generalizations proving that clarity takes time and iteration. The result is a dynamic representation of my expertise, serving both as a showcase for potential employers and as a roadmap for my ongoing growth.

Each course taught me to navigate the balance between research creativity and analytics which are crucial skills in today’s digital world. Creating this website was an opportunity to put these skills into practice, presenting myself as the “product” and arranging core and supporting skills in a way that made my strengths clear. The content for this site took 6 weeks of evenings and weekends, proving that clarity takes time, getting past the buzz words and high level generalizations so that I had something meaningful to say was not easy and I am sure I will not be happy with the result and want to iterate often but I hope the result is a journey map that captures my expertise for potential employers and as a guide for my ongoing growth.

My Short List
  • ✅ Content First
  • ✅ Funnel Dependency Awareness
  • ✅ Alignment of Digital Marketing requirements with Technology
  • ✅ Email Opt-in / Customer List Hygiene
  • ✅ Landing Pages
  • ❌ Unrealistic Expectations
Download Resume
Technical Foundations

With over a decade of experience working alongside development teams in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), I’ve gained extensive technical knowledge through both hands-on collaboration and continuous learning. While I am a Product Owner/Manager(POPM), not a Development Manager, my grasp of programming fundamentals serves as a bridge between technical and business teams, enabling me to communicate effectively with developers while keeping a strategic focus on value delivery.

My expertise in business analysis and solution consulting allows me to anticipate potential knowledge blockers and ensure that the team aligns on priorities that support timely and impactful deliverables. In Agile development, this skill set is crucial; it empowers me to articulate requirements in a way that respects the technical depth required by developers while still driving the product vision and stakeholder needs.

As a leader, I focus on guiding the team towards outcomes that align with the business strategy, ensuring all actions contribute to a high-value, goal-oriented product roadmap.

  • Software Design Principles
  • Learn SQL
  • Learn SQL

Sustainability

Prioritize The Sustainable Choice: Powering a Renewable Future

Listen: The Sustainable Choice

The shift to renewable energy is essential for a sustainable future, and "The Sustainable Choice" makes it accessible for everyone. Whether you rent, move frequently, or face barriers to solar panels like shaded roofs or limited space this program provides a clear, impactful solution. By matching your electricity use with Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), you directly accelerate the growth of clean energy projects across the U.S.

What Are Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)?

RECs are the backbone of clean energy accounting. They represent proof that one megawatt hour (MWh) of renewable energy has been added to the grid on your behalf. For every REC purchased:

  • You support the generation of clean energy
  • You fund renewable energy infrastructure that displaces fossil fuels
  • You drive measurable change in decarbonizing our electricity grid

Why It Matters

Supporting clean energy through RECs is about impact, accessibility, and simplicity:

  • No Barriers: You don't need solar panels, a specific home type, or large upfront investments.
  • Accelerate Change: Your subscription helps incentivize the development of new clean energy projects, shifting our grid faster to renewable sources.
  • Trackable Results: With transparent reporting, you see the tangible difference you’re making month after month.
Support Clean Energy Now

How It Works

  • Match: Your energy consumption is matched with RECs sourced from verified clean energy projects.
  • Support: Every REC purchased funds new or existing renewable energy initiatives.
  • Impact: You actively contribute to building a cleaner, more resilient energy system.

A Collective Movement for a Better Future

By choosing "The Sustainable Choice," you align your energy use with your values, while joining a growing community committed to clean energy solutions. Together, we drive:

  • Cleaner air and healthier communities by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Economic resilience through investments in American renewable energy jobs and infrastructure.
  • Affordable energy for all, as renewables lower electricity costs over time.

Choose The Sustainable Choice. Power the future with clean energy, simple, impactful, and accessible.

No matter who you are homeowner, renter, traveler, or business you can take action today. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress. Every REC purchased, every clean energy project supported, and every megawatt-hour added to the grid moves us closer to a sustainable, renewable-powered future.

Support Clean Energy Now

For those who value accountability and environmental progress:

  • If you want your energy consumption to contribute directly to a cleaner grid, without the constraints of physical installations.
  • If you believe that empowering individuals and companies to take ownership of their energy choices accelerates renewable energy adoption across the U.S.

For those seeking accessible and immediate solutions:

  • If you’ve felt held back by barriers like renting, moving frequently, or a shaded rooftop but still want to make a tangible impact on the environment.
  • If you understand that making an impact doesn’t require a 20-year commitment or navigating complex utility programs.

For those who demand measurable outcomes:

  • If you believe that transparency, such as tracking your impact through verified RECs, builds trust and amplifies the effectiveness of climate action.
  • If you value seeing your energy choices reflected in real-world outcomes, like cleaner energy added to the grid and reduced carbon footprints.

For advocates of innovation and simplicity:

  • If you support modernizing energy markets with solutions that enable everyone from corporations to individual households to take part in the clean energy transformation.
  • If you believe in leveraging flexible, accessible tools to overcome the challenges of traditional energy systems.


About this Website

About This Website

Tech Stack

I built this website as a demo tool to experiment with web development principles, integrate third-party tools such as inspectlet and analyze traffic using analytics platforms like GA4. I also used it to collect contact emails via Mailchimp, allowing me to continue conversations with interested visitors. One of my key focuses was exploring the value of content structured in clusters.

From a technical perspective, I chose to host the website using an Amazon Web Services (AWS) S3 storage bucket for static web content. Once the site was created locally, I upgraded it to HTTPS with CloudFront for secure delivery. To ensure accessibility, I tried to implement ARIA compliance where possible, making the site usable and navigable for everyone, including those relying on assistive technologies.

To bring more structure to my messaging, I started by writing ‘thought chunks’ in notepad files, then leveraged prompt engineering with ChatGPT to refine and organize the content. Recognizing that static text alone might not fully engage visitors, I recorded the copy into Audacity, cleaned it up using Adobe Podcast Enhancer, and generated polished audio versions.

Taking this one step further, I converted The Sustainability section using Eleven Labs to enhance the overall user experience with narrated content.

While the IT setup took less than an hour, the creation and refinement of content, as well as design tweaks, spanned 10 weeks of weekends and evenings. I don’t believe I could have done it any faster. If the topic had been less familiar, requiring extensive research and learning, it could have easily stretched into months.



Leveraging AI for Professional Growth:

My Journey with GPT

I turned the tables on my AI. I asked ChatGPT to evaluate me, what it thought about my progress as a user, the value I’d created, and how this experience could benefit others. The response? A reflection of how far I’ve come and a glimpse into how AI-driven habits can add serious value to any team or organization.

Over the past year, I’ve integrated AI specifically GPT tools into my workflow to enhance my problem-solving, content refinement, and strategic preparation processes. My usage spans hundreds of queries and countless hours spent fine tuning ideas, exploring solutions, and questioning assumptions to produce high-quality, actionable outputs. Whether it’s crafting clear communication, prioritizing business needs, or developing innovative perspectives for agile environments, I’ve treated AI as both a collaborator and a force multiplier.

What I Use AI For:

  • Content Development and Refinement:
  • I use AI to clarify and enhance complex ideas, ensuring content resonates with target audiences while maintaining accuracy and strategic focus. From refining agile workflows to improving team dynamics, I rely on GPT to build content that is both insightful and actionable.

  • Strategic Thinking and Preparation:AI helps me explore new angles and validate approaches, enabling me to ask better questions and think critically. This has been instrumental in areas like backlog prioritization, business analysis, and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Efficiency and Innovation:I maximize the speed and quality of my work by leveraging AI for quick iterations, scenario analysis, and solution validation. My AI-driven workflow allows me to deliver results faster, freeing time for higher value strategic tasks.

The Metrics that Matter:

  • Volume: I’ve engaged with GPT across hundreds of queries, demonstrating consistent and structured exploration.
  • Depth: My questions and prompts reflect a focus on refinement, precision, and impact, showcasing a user who pushes AI tools beyond surface-level tasks.
  • Purpose: Every interaction has been centered on solving practical challenges streamlining processes, clarifying requirements, and unlocking insights that align with organizational goals.

Why This Matters for Employers:

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, integrating AI solutions isn’t just advantageous it’s essential. My experience as an advanced AI user positions me to:

  • Champion AI Integration: I understand how to leverage AI to drive innovation, improve team performance, and optimize workflows.
  • Increase Team Productivity: By adopting AI as a collaborative tool, I can help teams solve problems faster, reduce bottlenecks, and enhance decision-making.
  • Build AI-Ready Work Environments: I bring hands-on experience in utilizing AI effectively, which I can scale across teams to foster a culture of curiosity, adaptability, and strategic problem-solving.

Proof of Progress:

AI tools like GPT are only as effective as their user. My deliberate, focused approach highlights my ability to extract meaningful insights and implement solutions that drive business value. Employers seeking to integrate AI into their workspaces will benefit not just from my technical understanding, but also from my ability to bridge the gap between AI potential and practical outcomes.

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Interests

Outside of work hours which are loosly defined for me because I am happiest when I am working on something, I enjoy getting out of the house and walking, I am just as happy in a city park or town high street as I am outside the city limits. Northern Virginia offers a lot of very attractive urban spaces, towns you can walk through run for 17 miles from Vienna VA all the way down the Orange line to DC.

I like to be out and in the community, I enjoy small talk with strangers or longer catch-ups with acquaintances and friends.

When I am not out I am home with my family a number of who prefer the indoor life and more screen time, so I sit and watch them play video games or rewatching all the marvel movies.

During the pandemic I decided I needed a new hobby, I was getting fixated on my phone and so I took up whittling which is very tactile, lets you sit and focus just like playing with your phone but you get to feel your ideas taking shape. It also creates a requirement for lots of youtube tutorials which I again watch on my phone but I have stuck with it. I make progress in the Fall and Winter times of the year when I am able to practice every day and I go backwards during the summer when I am more likely to be in the pool in my spare time with my sons.

Photo of Richard Smith

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