North Highland Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

North Highland is a leading change and transformation consultancy dedicated to making impactful change happen for its clients.

The Product Manager role at North Highland is pivotal in guiding product strategies that support various IT initiatives, particularly in Supply Chain, Inventory Management, and Merchandising for retail clients. This role requires a strong understanding of product management principles, including the execution of product roadmaps, feature performance planning, and stakeholder communication. A successful Product Manager will facilitate process mapping, gap analysis, and data flow assessments, while also conducting performance analyses to drive continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities include representing the product organization, managing expectations, and regularly interpreting metrics to assess product performance. Candidates should have 5-7 years of experience in IT product management, particularly within the retail sector, and a proven track record of developing and implementing successful product features. Strong analytical skills, the ability to build relationships across teams, and a data-driven mindset are crucial.

At North Highland, the emphasis on collaboration and putting people first aligns with the values of the consultancy. This role is not just about managing products; it’s about transforming clients’ businesses through innovative solutions and strategic insights.

This guide aims to equip you with the necessary knowledge and insights to confidently navigate the interview process for the Product Manager role at North Highland, enhancing your chances of making a lasting impression.

The interview process for a Product Manager role at North Highland is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates align with the company's values and expectations. The process typically unfolds as follows:

1. Initial Phone Screening

The journey begins with a phone screening, usually lasting around 30 minutes. This initial conversation is conducted by a recruiter who will discuss your background, the role, and the company culture. Expect to share your career aspirations and how they align with North Highland's mission. This is also an opportunity for the recruiter to gauge your fit for the organization.

2. Technical and Behavioral Interviews

Following the initial screening, successful candidates will participate in one or more technical and behavioral interviews. These interviews may be conducted via video call or in-person and typically last about 60 to 90 minutes. During this stage, you will be asked to demonstrate your product management skills through case studies or process modeling exercises. Expect questions that assess your understanding of product roadmaps, stakeholder management, and performance metrics. Behavioral questions will also be included to evaluate your problem-solving abilities and how you handle challenging situations.

3. Assessment Day or Final Interviews

For some candidates, the process may culminate in an assessment day or a series of final interviews with senior management or key decision-makers. This stage is designed to provide a deeper insight into your thought process and how you would fit within the team. You may be asked to present your approach to a specific product challenge or to analyze a case study relevant to the company's work. This is also a chance for you to ask questions about the company culture and expectations.

4. Feedback and Offer

After the interviews, candidates can expect to receive feedback on their performance. North Highland emphasizes communication throughout the process, so you should be informed about the next steps, whether you are moving forward or not. If successful, you will receive an offer detailing the terms of employment.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise during this process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Company Culture

North Highland prides itself on a people-first approach and a collaborative environment. Familiarize yourself with their core values and how they translate into daily operations. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, and demonstrate your commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture. Highlight experiences where you have contributed to team success and supported colleagues in achieving their goals.

Prepare for Process Mapping Exercises

Given the emphasis on process mapping and gap analysis in the role, practice creating process maps for various scenarios. You may be asked to analyze a business process and identify areas for improvement. Familiarize yourself with common process mapping tools and methodologies, and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly during the interview. This will showcase your analytical skills and ability to think critically about business operations.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect a mix of behavioral and situational questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle challenges. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Prepare examples that demonstrate your experience in product management, particularly in supply chain and inventory management contexts. Highlight your ability to manage stakeholder expectations and communicate effectively across teams.

Showcase Your Technical Knowledge

While the interviews may not focus heavily on technical skills, having a solid understanding of relevant tools and methodologies is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your experience with data analysis, product roadmaps, and performance metrics. Familiarize yourself with the latest trends in product management and how they apply to the retail sector, as this knowledge will set you apart from other candidates.

Engage with Interviewers

Interviews at North Highland can be conversational, so take the opportunity to engage with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about the company’s projects, team dynamics, and future goals. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you. Remember, interviews are a two-way street.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interview, send a thoughtful thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and briefly mention a key point from your conversation that resonated with you. This will leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.

By following these tips, you can present yourself as a strong candidate who is not only qualified for the role but also a great cultural fit for North Highland. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Manager interview at North Highland. The interview process will likely focus on your experience in product management, your ability to work with stakeholders, and your analytical skills. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, demonstrate your problem-solving abilities, and showcase your understanding of product management principles.

Experience and Background

1. Can you describe a project where you successfully managed a product from conception to launch?

This question aims to assess your end-to-end product management experience and your ability to drive a project to completion.

How to Answer

Highlight your role in the project, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Emphasize your leadership skills and the impact of the product on the business.

Example

“I led a cross-functional team to develop a new inventory management system. I coordinated with stakeholders to gather requirements, managed the project timeline, and ensured we met our launch date. The system improved inventory accuracy by 30%, significantly reducing costs.”

Stakeholder Management

2. Give me an example of when you had to deal with a difficult stakeholder. How did you handle it?

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and ability to manage relationships.

How to Answer

Discuss a specific instance where you faced challenges with a stakeholder. Explain your approach to resolving the issue and maintaining a positive relationship.

Example

“I once worked with a stakeholder who was resistant to a new feature. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to understand their concerns and provided data to support the feature's benefits. By addressing their worries and involving them in the process, we reached a compromise that satisfied both parties.”

Analytical Skills

3. How do you prioritize features on a product roadmap?

This question assesses your decision-making process and ability to balance competing priorities.

How to Answer

Explain your criteria for prioritization, such as customer impact, business value, and resource availability. Provide an example of how you applied this in a previous role.

Example

“I prioritize features based on customer feedback, alignment with business goals, and development effort. For instance, in my last role, I used a scoring system to evaluate features, which helped us focus on high-impact items that aligned with our strategic objectives.”

Process Improvement

4. Describe a time when you identified a gap in a process. What steps did you take to address it?

This question looks for your ability to analyze processes and implement improvements.

How to Answer

Detail the situation, your analysis, and the actions you took to improve the process. Highlight the results of your intervention.

Example

“I noticed that our product launch process was causing delays due to unclear roles. I facilitated a workshop to map out the process and clarify responsibilities. As a result, we reduced our launch time by 20% and improved team collaboration.”

Technical Understanding

5. What metrics do you consider when evaluating the success of a product feature?

This question gauges your understanding of product performance and data analysis.

How to Answer

Discuss the key performance indicators (KPIs) you track and why they are important. Provide an example of how you used metrics to assess a feature's success.

Example

“I focus on metrics such as user engagement, conversion rates, and customer satisfaction scores. For example, after launching a new feature, I monitored user engagement and found that it increased by 40%, which validated our development efforts and informed future enhancements.”