Product Manager - SMARTLY

About Smartly

Smartly helps New Zealand businesses take care of their people in a simpler, smarter way. The platform is widely used for payroll by more than 22,000 businesses across the country, supported by a team that focuses on accurate, timely, and compliant pay. Beyond payroll, the company is building products and experiences that make it easier for employers to support their teams.

Smartly is part of Datacom, a major technology company in Australasia. That gives the business the energy and pace of a growing product company, along with the reach, backing, and career opportunities of a larger organisation.

The opportunity

Smartly is hiring a Product Manager to help influence the direction of the product suite. In this role, you will take ownership of a significant product area and work closely with customers, designers, engineers, and wider stakeholders to solve real problems and deliver outcomes that matter. The position blends strategic product thinking with practical execution, and supports the next stage of product growth.

This role is available anywhere in New Zealand. Working arrangements may be remote, hybrid, or office-based depending on location and team needs.

Key responsibilities

• Spend time with customers and internal teams to understand current performance, pain points, and the biggest opportunities for improvement.
• Translate insights into practical action by spotting opportunities, testing ideas, and shaping solutions that fit customer and business needs.
• Partner with cross-functional teams and use AI, data, and customer input to learn quickly and refine products continuously.
• Deliver improvements in small steps, adjusting direction as new information emerges instead of relying on a rigid long-term plan.
• Unite the right people around a problem, support decision-making, and keep initiatives progressing.
• Improve ways of working by sharing learnings, questioning assumptions, and finding more effective paths to outcomes.

What we are looking for

• Previous product management experience in a SaaS or technology-led environment.
• Strong customer focus and genuine interest in solving user problems.
• Experience building product roadmaps and prioritising competing work.
• Clear communication and strong stakeholder management abilities.
• Good analytical thinking and sound judgment when making decisions.
• Experience working in Agile teams and using modern delivery practices.
• A curious, proactive mindset with a drive for continuous improvement.
• Confidence to learn fast, experiment, challenge assumptions, and adapt in a fast-changing setting.
• Interest in AI, emerging technology, and new ways of working that can improve customer outcomes.
• Advantageous experience in payroll, HR, workforce management, fintech, or other regulated software spaces.

What you will get

• Flexible working, including a hybrid option for Auckland and Wellington-based team members and fully remote work for other parts of New Zealand.
• Wellness allowance and birthday leave.
• Access to Datacom employee benefits and learning and development opportunities.
• A supportive, collaborative product team.
• The chance to work on software that has a meaningful impact on thousands of businesses and employees.
• A positive company culture with team events and plenty of social energy.
• A team environment where people are genuinely supported to do well and grow.

Why Smartly

Smartly is made up of people who are curious, committed, and passionate about customers and each other. If you enjoy creating great products, exploring new ideas, using emerging technologies such as AI, and helping shape the future of payroll and people-management software in New Zealand, this role could be a strong fit.

How to apply

Submit your CV along with a cover letter explaining why you would like to join Smartly.