Averity is a leading player in the restaurant industry, known for its commitment to innovation and technology, generating over $40 billion in revenue annually.
As a Product Manager at Averity, you will play a crucial role in shaping the digital transformation of the company's in-restaurant experience across the U.S. and Canada. This position involves developing and implementing technology solutions such as kiosks, digital shelving, order-ready screens, and digital drive-thrus. Key responsibilities include crafting a comprehensive customer experience strategy, maintaining a detailed product roadmap, and collaborating with cross-functional teams across operations, engineering, and marketing. A successful candidate will possess extensive product management experience, ideally within the restaurant or technology sectors, and demonstrate strong analytical skills, a strategic mindset, and the ability to translate customer insights into actionable product features. A deep understanding of digital platforms and vendor management will also be essential.
This guide aims to equip you with insights and knowledge tailored to Averity's values and operational processes, ultimately enhancing your confidence and preparedness for the interview.
The interview process for a Product Manager at Averity is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates are well-suited for the dynamic environment of the restaurant industry. The process typically unfolds in several key stages:
The first step is a phone interview with a member of the leadership team, often the Director of the department. This conversation serves as a casual meet-and-greet, allowing candidates to learn about Averity's culture and values while sharing their professional background and motivations for applying. This stage is crucial for establishing rapport and understanding the candidate's fit within the company.
Following the initial call, candidates will engage in a second phone interview with a Senior Talent Advocate. This interview is more structured and focuses on experience, performance, and challenge-based questions. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their past roles, specific challenges they faced, and how they overcame them, as well as their approach to product management and team collaboration.
The third stage involves a more interactive component, where candidates may participate in a half-day onsite experience. This allows candidates to engage with the team and demonstrate their ability to collaborate effectively in a real-world setting. During this time, candidates will likely be assessed on their problem-solving skills and how well they integrate with the existing team dynamics.
The final interview typically involves discussions with higher-level executives, such as the Co-Founder or VP. This stage is critical for evaluating the candidate's strategic vision and alignment with the company's goals. Candidates may be asked about their long-term aspirations and how they plan to contribute to Averity's digital transformation initiatives.
As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, focusing on your product management experience and your ability to drive digital solutions in a collaborative environment.
Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.
Averity's interview process typically consists of multiple stages, including initial phone calls with key stakeholders, followed by in-person interactions. Be prepared for a casual meet-and-greet with the Director of the team, as well as more structured interviews focusing on your experience and problem-solving abilities. Familiarize yourself with the company’s culture and values, as this will help you connect with your interviewers and demonstrate your fit for the team.
As a Product Manager, your ability to articulate your past experiences is crucial. Prepare to discuss specific projects where you led cross-functional teams, developed product roadmaps, and made strategic decisions regarding technology solutions. Highlight your experience in the restaurant or technology industry, as this will resonate well with the interviewers. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you convey the impact of your contributions.
Given the importance of data in shaping product strategies, be ready to discuss how you have utilized data analytics in your previous roles. If you have experience with SQL, Tableau, or similar tools, mention specific instances where you gathered insights from data to inform product decisions. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and your ability to make informed choices that align with business objectives.
Expect to encounter behavioral questions that assess your problem-solving skills and how you handle challenges. Reflect on past experiences where you faced obstacles in product development or team dynamics, and be prepared to discuss how you navigated those situations. Averity values collaboration and adaptability, so showcasing your ability to work effectively with diverse teams will be beneficial.
Averity's interview process is known for its friendly atmosphere. Take the opportunity to build rapport with your interviewers by engaging in light conversation and showing genuine interest in their experiences at the company. This will not only make you more memorable but also help you gauge the company culture and whether it aligns with your values.
As a Product Manager, you will be expected to shape the vision and strategy for digital experiences. Be prepared to discuss your long-term goals and how you envision contributing to Averity's digital transformation. Articulate your understanding of the restaurant industry's evolving landscape and how technology can enhance customer experiences. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and alignment with the company's objectives.
After your interviews, send personalized thank-you notes to each of your interviewers. Reference specific topics discussed during your conversations to reinforce your interest in the role and the company. This thoughtful gesture can leave a lasting impression and further solidify your candidacy.
By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you will position yourself as a strong candidate for the Product Manager role at Averity. Good luck!
In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Manager interview at Averity. The interview process will likely focus on your experience in product management, your ability to work cross-functionally, and your strategic thinking skills. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, how you handle challenges, and your vision for enhancing customer experiences.
This question assesses your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities in product management.
Discuss the product's purpose, your role in its development, and the specific challenges you encountered, along with how you overcame them.
“I managed a digital ordering system for a restaurant chain. The key challenge was integrating the system with existing POS technology. I coordinated with the tech team to ensure compatibility and conducted user testing to refine the interface, which ultimately led to a successful launch.”
This question evaluates your strategic thinking and decision-making process.
Explain your criteria for prioritization, such as customer feedback, business impact, and resource availability.
“I prioritize features based on customer feedback and business objectives. I use a scoring system that weighs factors like potential revenue impact and user demand, ensuring that we focus on features that deliver the most value to our customers and the business.”
This question gauges your technical proficiency and ability to leverage data in decision-making.
Share specific examples of how you’ve used these tools to inform product decisions or measure success.
“I regularly use SQL to extract data from our databases to analyze user behavior. For instance, I created a dashboard in Tableau that visualized customer interactions with our digital platforms, which helped us identify areas for improvement and increase user engagement by 20%.”
This question assesses your ability to manage external relationships and ensure successful partnerships.
Discuss your approach to vendor selection, negotiation strategies, and how you maintain relationships.
“I have managed vendor relationships for several technology projects. I focus on understanding their capabilities and aligning them with our needs. During negotiations, I emphasize long-term partnerships, which has led to favorable terms and successful project outcomes.”
This question evaluates your collaboration skills and ability to facilitate teamwork.
Explain your communication strategies and tools you use to keep everyone aligned.
“I hold regular stand-up meetings and use project management tools like Jira to keep everyone updated. I also encourage open communication channels, allowing team members to voice concerns and share insights, which fosters collaboration and keeps projects on track.”
This question assesses your conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
Describe a specific situation, how you approached the conflict, and the outcome.
“When launching a new feature, the marketing team wanted a quick release, while engineering needed more time for testing. I facilitated a meeting to discuss the implications of rushing the launch and proposed a phased rollout, which satisfied both teams and ensured product quality.”
This question evaluates your approach to understanding customer needs.
Discuss the methods you use to collect and analyze customer feedback.
“I utilize surveys, user interviews, and analytics tools to gather insights. For instance, after launching a new feature, I conducted user interviews to understand their experiences, which led to several enhancements that improved user satisfaction significantly.”
This question assesses your vision and creativity in improving customer experiences.
Share innovative ideas that align with the company’s goals and enhance customer engagement.
“I would implement interactive kiosks that allow customers to customize their orders and provide real-time feedback. Additionally, integrating loyalty programs into the digital experience would encourage repeat visits and enhance customer satisfaction.”