Does Transformation End Where Product Operations Begins? - Victoria Sheer

In episode 20 of Talking Roadmaps, interviewer Justin Woods speaks with Victoria Sheer about why product transformations fail when strategy is treated as an afterthought. They unpack how product operations connects strategy, value, and execution, why “copy-paste Agile” misses the point, and how organisations can measure real P&L impact. The conversation reframes product ops as a strategic enabler, not a process function.

Victoria is an experienced, hands-on product leader with over 10 years of experience across Product Strategy, Product Operations, and Head of Product roles. She built the Strategy & Operations function at ALDI Süd from the ground up, driving cross-functional alignment and scaling product delivery across multiple markets. With a career spanning the energy, FMCG, and retail industries, Victoria combines strategic vision with operational rigour to deliver measurable impact. She also advises startups and scaleups on go-to-market and growth strategies, helping teams turn great ideas into scalable, customer-driven products.

0:00 - Introduction
2:38 - What is the purpose of Product Ops?
4:06 - Why do companies need product ops?
4:53 - How has it helped having strategy and Product Ops together?
6:10 - What are the key responsibilities of Product Ops?
8:37 - How do you see Product Ops evolving beyond operational excellence?
10:34 - What kinds of strategic decisions can Product ops directly influence?
12:07 - What role can Product Ops play in broader company transformation initiatives?
13:21 - What has been missing from the transformation programmes?
16:32 - Why do you think some transformations fall short of turning IT or product into true profit centre?
20:15 - What do you consider to be best practice in Product Ops?
21:53 - What are the biggest mistakes in Product Ops?
23:48 - Whose advice on Product Ops do you listen to?
26:45 - What hasn't been asked that should have?
27:39 - How can people get in touch?

Thanks for watching 👍

Be sure to check out their links...
LinkedIn:   / victoriasheer  

Subscribe to stay up to date on all the latest roadmapping tips!
   / talkingroadmaps  

Phil Hornby and Justin Woods, Co-hosts and Co-creators of Talking Roadmaps
https://www.talkingroadmaps.com/

#productops #practitioner