Southern Company Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Southern Company is a leading energy provider serving millions of customers across the Southeast, with a mission focused on delivering clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy while prioritizing innovation and sustainability.

The Product Manager role at Southern Company is crucial for overseeing and optimizing the Order to Cash (O2C) workstream, managing the associated technology ecosystem, and leading cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality software solutions. Key responsibilities include leading the design and enhancement of O2C processes, overseeing application modernization efforts, and managing a diverse team of developers working with Oracle ERP and .NET technologies. Successful candidates will possess a strong understanding of Agile methodologies, solid technical knowledge of enterprise software development, and excellent leadership and communication skills. Experience in the electric or gas utility industry is highly valued, as is the ability to mentor team members and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the skills and experiences that are likely to be assessed, allowing you to tailor your responses and demonstrate your alignment with the company's core values and objectives.

The interview process for a Product Manager at Southern Company is structured to assess both technical and behavioral competencies, ensuring candidates align with the company's values and the specific demands of the role.

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening call conducted by a recruiter. This 30-minute conversation focuses on your background, experience, and understanding of the Product Manager role. The recruiter will also gauge your fit within Southern Company's culture and values, as well as your interest in the energy sector.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates may be required to complete a technical assessment. This assessment typically involves real-world scenarios relevant to the role, such as project management challenges or product delivery issues. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their knowledge of Agile methodologies, Oracle ERP applications, and their ability to rationalize and modernize applications.

3. Panel Interview

The next step is a panel interview, which usually consists of 4 to 6 members, including the hiring manager and other senior team members. This interview focuses heavily on behavioral questions, allowing candidates to showcase their leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience in managing cross-functional teams. Expect questions that require you to provide specific examples from your past work, particularly in relation to Order to Cash processes and application development.

4. Presentation

In some cases, candidates may be asked to prepare a presentation on their knowledge and experience in project management or relevant technical skills. This presentation is typically followed by a Q&A session with the panel, where they will ask questions to further explore your expertise and thought processes.

5. Final Interview

The final interview may involve a discussion with HR and the hiring manager, focusing on company culture, benefits, and your long-term career goals. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any remaining questions about the role or the company.

Throughout the process, candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with product metrics, analytics, and their approach to stakeholder engagement and team development.

Now, let's delve into the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during their interviews for this role.

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

Understand the Company Culture

Southern Company values collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to customer service. Familiarize yourself with their mission to provide clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy. During your interview, demonstrate how your personal values align with the company's goals, particularly in areas like sustainability and community engagement. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect a significant focus on behavioral questions that assess your leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Reflect on your past experiences, particularly those that showcase your ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage projects, and navigate challenges in a collaborative environment. Highlight specific instances where you drove process improvements or successfully managed stakeholder expectations.

Showcase Your Technical Knowledge

While the interview process may lean heavily on behavioral questions, having a solid understanding of the technical aspects relevant to the role is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Oracle ERP applications, .NET development, and Agile methodologies. Familiarize yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Oracle Cloud Applications and integration tools. This will demonstrate your readiness to lead the Order to Cash workstream effectively.

Emphasize Cross-Functional Leadership

As a Product Manager, you will be expected to lead diverse teams and collaborate with various stakeholders. Highlight your experience in managing cross-functional teams, particularly in Agile environments. Discuss how you have facilitated communication between technical and non-technical team members, ensuring that everyone is aligned on project goals and deliverables. This will showcase your ability to bridge gaps and foster a collaborative atmosphere.

Prepare Thoughtful Questions

At the end of the interview, you will likely have the opportunity to ask questions. Use this time to demonstrate your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the team dynamics, the challenges they face in the Order to Cash process, or how they measure success in product delivery. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

Practice Presentation Skills

Given that some candidates were required to prepare presentations, it’s wise to be ready to discuss your past projects or experiences in a structured manner. Practice presenting your ideas clearly and concisely, focusing on how your contributions led to successful outcomes. This will help you feel more confident and articulate during the interview.

Be Authentic and Personable

Southern Company values interpersonal skills and a strong cultural fit. Be yourself during the interview and let your personality shine through. Share your passion for the energy sector and how you can contribute to the company's mission. Authenticity can set you apart from other candidates and help you build rapport with the interviewers.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to navigate the interview process at Southern Company and demonstrate your qualifications for the Product Manager role. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Manager interview at Southern Company. The interview process will likely focus on your experience in product management, leadership skills, and your ability to work in a cross-functional team environment. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of Agile methodologies, your experience with technology integration, and your approach to stakeholder engagement.

Experience and Background

1. Describe a time when you had to lead a project with cross-functional teams. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

This question assesses your leadership and collaboration skills, particularly in a complex environment.

How to Answer

Focus on a specific project where you had to coordinate with different teams. Highlight the challenges you faced and the strategies you employed to ensure successful collaboration.

Example

“In my previous role, I led a project that required input from both the IT and finance departments. The main challenge was aligning our goals, as the IT team was focused on technical feasibility while finance was concerned about budget constraints. I organized regular meetings to facilitate open communication and created a shared project timeline that addressed both teams' priorities, which ultimately led to a successful project launch.”

Product Management Principles

2. How do you prioritize features in a product roadmap?

This question evaluates your ability to make strategic decisions that align with business goals.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including any frameworks or criteria you use to assess the value and impact of features.

Example

“I prioritize features based on a combination of customer feedback, business impact, and technical feasibility. I often use the MoSCoW method to categorize features into Must-haves, Should-haves, Could-haves, and Won't-haves. This helps ensure that we focus on delivering the most valuable features first while keeping the team aligned on our goals.”

Agile Methodologies

3. Can you describe your experience with Agile methodologies? How have you implemented Agile in your previous roles?

This question aims to understand your familiarity with Agile practices and your ability to apply them effectively.

How to Answer

Share specific examples of how you have used Agile methodologies in your work, including any challenges you faced and how you addressed them.

Example

“In my last position, I implemented Agile practices by transitioning our team to Scrum. I facilitated sprint planning sessions and daily stand-ups, which improved our communication and accountability. Initially, we struggled with estimating story points, but after a few iterations, we became more accurate, leading to better sprint outcomes and increased team morale.”

Stakeholder Engagement

4. Describe a situation where you had to manage conflicting stakeholder expectations. How did you handle it?

This question assesses your communication and negotiation skills in a challenging environment.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example where you had to balance different stakeholder needs and how you achieved a resolution.

Example

“During a project rollout, the marketing team wanted to launch a feature quickly, while the development team needed more time to ensure quality. I organized a meeting with both teams to discuss the implications of rushing the launch. By presenting data on potential customer impact and aligning on a revised timeline, we reached a compromise that satisfied both parties and ultimately led to a successful launch.”

Technical Knowledge

5. What is your understanding of Oracle ERP applications, and how have you worked with them in the past?

This question evaluates your technical expertise and familiarity with the tools relevant to the role.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with Oracle ERP applications, including specific modules you have worked with and how they relate to your product management experience.

Example

“I have worked extensively with Oracle ERP applications, particularly in the Accounts Receivable and Cash Management modules. In my previous role, I led a project to automate cash application processes, which involved integrating Oracle with our existing systems. This experience taught me the importance of ensuring data accuracy and compliance with financial regulations, which I prioritized throughout the project.”

Problem-Solving Skills

6. Can you give an example of a time when you faced a significant challenge in a project? What steps did you take to resolve it?

This question assesses your problem-solving abilities and resilience in the face of adversity.

How to Answer

Share a specific challenge you encountered, the actions you took to address it, and the outcome of your efforts.

Example

“While managing a project, we encountered a major delay due to unforeseen technical issues. I quickly convened a meeting with the development team to identify the root cause and brainstorm solutions. We decided to allocate additional resources to the problem and adjusted our timeline accordingly. As a result, we were able to deliver the project only a week behind schedule, which was well-received by stakeholders.”