In this feature on #WinWithWomen, we speak to Kar Mun Leong who is the Head of Product at Jirnexu, a provider of full stack fintech for customer acquisition in financial services. Interest around product management roles have been increasing and Kar Mun shares what it takes to be a product manager and what drew her to a career in this area. Kar Mun has over 8 years of experience in product management which includes stints at SEEKAsia (previously JobStreet and JobsDB) and McKinsey & Company.

Hi Kar Mun, tech product management is a job that is very popular in recent years. Can you share what your journey to product looks like and why you chose to pursue a role in product management?

My first job was with SEEKAsia as a Product Analyst. I was studying chemistry in my undergraduate years, but I wanted to try something new. Back then, SEEKAsia was looking to restructure their product team and was looking for graduates or experienced hires from different backgrounds with fresh perspectives. I’m glad I came across this opportunity and took it up as I really wanted to be part of the digital transformation scene in Southeast Asia. I started off as a Product Analyst, conducting both qualitative user research and quantitative analysis. I discovered that I really enjoy speaking to customers, uncovering their needs, and design better solutions to their problems. A year later, I decided to go full time into the Product Manager role.

After my stint with SEEKAsia, I joined McKinsey & Company, continuing to do what I love in their digital arm. I was given the opportunity to build products across various industries including banking, telecommunications, insurance, retail, global energy and materials across Southeast Asia and Australia.

I’m currently leading the Product Team at Jirnexu, driving the product vision, strategy, and roadmap of RinggitPlus.com.

What is it about product management that you love? 

I enjoy speaking to users to understand their pain points and needs. Often, we develop our own presumptions and hypotheses when designing a product or feature. Speaking to users keeps me close to what the real problems are, and this helps us build a true customer-centric solution. When it all works, it’s very rewarding to hear from users how we have helped them address their problems.

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“Speaking to users keeps me close to what the real problems are, and this helps us build a better solution.”

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How has your experience helped you to build skills needed in product management?

Each product release is similar to how we run experiments in chemistry, where we would test, learn, and iterate to achieve a better result. My experience across various industries in McKinsey & Company has also taught me that building a product is not simply about launching a feature but also being able to build a holistic digital business around the product. This requires skills like modelling the unit economics of the product, defining go-to-market strategies, and creating workflows to ensure operational excellence.

Could you share your experience as a female leader in a fintech company? What advice would you have for women aspiring to leadership roles?  

In the early stages of my career, I was very conscious of being taken less seriously than my male colleagues. This is no longer a concern I have but I do continue to make my point and usually call out such behaviour, should it happen. I recommend doubling down your focus on roles and opportunities where you can demonstrate strong domain experience, and where no one can question your expertise. It is also very important to look for support and leadership from others in the industry or community. I’ve been fortunate enough to have great female AND male mentors who looked out for me as I navigate my way up the corporate ladder.

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“I’ve been fortunate enough to have great female AND male mentors who looked out for me as I navigate my way up the corporate ladder.”

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How does Jirnexu support gender balance?

It has been great working in a place like Jirnexu that truly recognises the need for diversity and gender balance. We have strong cultural values around respect and communication, which we continue to emphasise in our daily interactions. In fact, the majority of our head of departments here are women.

Technology as an industry has always been notorious for being a male-dominated industry. Hence, it is important for tech companies to make a conscious effort to push for gender equality, especially in leadership positions.

Finally, is there someone who inspires you?

Frankly, there are many role models I look up to, at every stage of my career. All of them are amazing leaders in their respective fields. The trait I find most inspiring in all of them is their eagerness to learn and their relentless curiosity, which has shaped who I am today as a product leader.