Apprentice Product Manager

About Shopify

Opportunity is not evenly distributed. Shopify puts independence within reach for anyone with a dream to start a business. We propel entrepreneurs and enterprises to scale the heights of their potential. Since 2006, we’ve grown to over 8,300 employees and generated over $947 billion in sales for millions of merchants in 175 countries.

This is life-defining work that directly impacts people’s lives as much as it transforms your own. This is putting the power of the few in the hands of the many, is a future with more voices rather than fewer, and is creating more choices instead of an elite option.

About you

Moving at our pace brings a lot of change, complexity, and ambiguity—and a little bit of chaos. Shopifolk thrive on that and are comfortable being uncomfortable. That means Shopify is not the right place for everyone.

Before you apply, consider if you can:

• Care deeply about what you do and about making commerce better for everyone
• Excel by seeking professional and personal hypergrowth
• Keep up with an unrelenting pace (the week, not the quarter)
• Be resilient and resourceful in face of ambiguity and thrive on (rather than endure) change
• Bring critical thought and opinion
• Embrace differences and disagreement to get shit done and move forward
• Work digital-first for your daily work

About the role

Shopify's Apprentice Product Manager (APM) role is a paid, 12-month position consisting of two team placements, designed to develop early product talent into future product leaders.

As an APM, you'll dive into the deep end of product management at Shopify, supported by a dedicated mentor, a community of supportive peers and full-time PMs, and a comprehensive learning program. You'll work alongside industry experts on mission-critical projects (not side tasks), helping to advance Shopify's product and mission, and enabling entrepreneurs worldwide to succeed.

If you're new to the product workforce or looking to shift into a product career, this intense, hands-on experience with our passionate and product-driven company may be perfect for you!

The Opportunity:

• Join a fast-paced and dynamic product org that will constantly push you to grow and improve.
• Take part in and lead all aspects of the product life cycle, from research and ideation to launch!
• Build your foundational knowledge of product management craft through our formal learning curriculum and hands-on, on-the-job training.
• Complete two rotations where you will be fully immersed as a PM on full-time Shopify product teams.
• Join a small cohort of aspiring product managers, aimed at becoming the next generation of product leaders, within a community of supportive peers.
• Have a dedicated full-time Product Manager as your mentor and an additional learning resource.

This program holds a high bar for participants and completion. While there is no guarantee of full-time conversion, those who meet our high bar of excellence will be eligible to join Shopify as full-time PMs!

Participants are expected to learn rapidly, adapt, and achieve results within 12 months. This role is ideal for proactive collaborators who thrive in ambiguity and may not suit those who prefer detailed directives, as we value innovation and open-ended problem-solving.

Qualifications

Previous product experience is not required to join the program. We are looking for:

• Driven people who have a history of accomplishing great things and overcoming adversity
• A proven track record of getting substantial things done end-to-end
• Entrepreneurial spirits who are comfortable rolling up their sleeves, thriving in ambiguity, and getting the work done
• People with an understanding of the tech landscape and its products
• The ability to prioritize and make decisions
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to read, manipulate, and make decisions based on data
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

This is a challenging and fast-paced role. Therefore, 1+ years of experience working collaboratively, making an impact, and clearly communicating in a professional work environment is preferred.

Technical APMs

Shopify’s APM program offers two tracks: Technical and Generalist. Both Technical and Generalist APMs participate in the same program, which includes a shared learning curriculum and real-world project opportunities. The primary difference is that Technical APMs are placed on teams that tackle complex technical challenges requiring a higher level of technical expertise.

Qualifications for Technical APM’s

In addition to the above qualifications, Technical APMs should have:

• Have an understanding of coding and the requirements of technical projects
• Strong programming skills, including the ability to write and debug code in one or more programming languages
• A deep understanding and experience working with API’s
• Experience working with databases and knowledge of SQL
• Understand, research, and follow technical trends in the industry
• Willing to sharpen your technical skills and dive deep into technical concepts
• In lieu of formal technical training, you have built something cool from scratch

Key Info 

• This application will close June 18, 2024 at 11:59 PM PST.
• Program start date: September 16, 2024. All selected APMs MUST start on this date without exception.
• You must have legal authorization to work full-time (40 hours a week) in Canada or the United States. Shopify will not provide visa or immigration support.
• Screening and invitations to the first round of interviews are expected to take 3-4 weeks from the application closing date.

We hire people, not resumes. If you think you’re right for the role, apply now.

The team hosted an information session about the program today. Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRDWxpW64aQ

→Application tips from a program alumni: https://marcochan.substack.com/p/shopify-apm-experience-and-application

→ Application tips from another program alum, Tobi Adekeye: https://lnkd.in/e2uv8fke

→ More application and interview tips: https://www.teamblind.com/post/Shopify-APM-tN2Z2WrE

→ Interview tips and resources: https://www.tryexponent.com/guides/shopify-pm-interview