From HE Graduate to Director of Product Management

East Sussex College Higher Education alumna, Kate Melville-Young, is now the Director of Product Management at Aforza, leading a suite of products for the consumer goods industry worldwide.

Aforza helps Consumer Product companies grow confidently and protect margins through a suite of cloud & mobile apps built for the industry. Her portfolio includes everything from Trade Promotion Management, where billions in trade spend are planned, to tools that allow sales teams to conduct compliance audits and process orders in the field.

In her role, Kate works closely with engineering teams across multiple platforms, bridging strategic direction and tactical execution, overseeing release management, and focusing on driving adoption with customers.

Prior to her time studying HE Computing at East Sussex College, Kate’s career didn’t start in technology. "My career actually began in nursing, which I pursued for a few years!,” said Kate. “However, the industry wasn’t quite what I had envisioned, so I made the decision to return to university and follow a completely different path."

She realised early on that technology would play a big part in the future. Katie said, "I knew technology was the future. I enjoyed working with computers and appreciated the power they held. I also believed I brought a unique skill set, an ability to understand people, which isn’t always common in technical environments."

After graduating, Kate moved from coding into the business side of technology. "I wanted to drive change and realise a vision. I began my career as a Business Analyst in 2012, progressing into Product Owner roles and eventually moving into more strategic positions in Product Management.

"The most rewarding part of my work is seeing an end-to-end vision come to life, sharing ideas with design and development teams, and ultimately seeing those ideas in the hands of end users."

Kate studied Internet Computing and Systems Architecture in Hastings, graduating with first-class honours. "As the only woman in my graduating cohort, I was proud to complete my degree with first-class honours."

Since then, she has continued learning through courses with ESI International, BCS Learning and Development, and company-specific certifications. "However, the best training, though it might sound cliché, has come from hands-on experience: meeting teams, understanding what motivates people, and learning how every function contributes to the success of a product."

As a woman in technology, Kate faced challenges along the way. She added, "Gender barriers, whether real or perceived, are a reality in technology. While the industry is changing, progress is often slow. Developing self-assurance and confidence has been essential."

Kate also embraced new tools like AI, which initially felt challenging. "Navigating the introduction of AI was also a challenge,” said Kate. “Initially, it felt like a threat to established ways of working, but I quickly learned it is a powerful tool that can accelerate productivity, broaden perspectives, and help us generate ideas at a much faster pace."

Kate has led transformative projects in her field, including a Trade Promotion Management modernisation.

"Leading our current TPM modernisation project is something I’m especially proud of,” Kate told the College. “The project aims to bring innovative, user-focused workflows to a legacy part of the industry. It’s an opportunity to challenge the status quo and deliver significant value to customers and the business alike."

She has also been recognised for her leadership style and people skills. "Throughout my career, I’ve also received recognition for my people skills, including a 'Ted Lasso' award celebrating my commitment to believing in and supporting my teams."

Kate encourages students to embrace resilience and believe in themselves.

"My biggest piece of advice is to cultivate resilience. Change is inevitable, it’s exciting, but it can also be daunting. Don’t shy away from it. Embrace it and own it."

She also stresses the importance of understanding people and building strong relationships. "Learn what drives people, and you’ll find that networking and building relationships become much easier," said Kate. Her advice to women entering technology: "If you are a woman entering this field, be strong, be resilient, and ride the wave. You will succeed."

Kate continues to focus on modernising Trade Promotion Management while balancing her personal life. "Eventually, I’d like to move into a Chief Product Officer role, though not immediately. Right now, I have plenty to balance as a mum, a wife, and a professional."

Her journey from ESC student to industry leader is proof of what hard work, curiosity, and confidence can achieve - and stands as a testament to the impact of breaking barriers and refusing to be limited by industry stereotypes.

"Find your space in this industry,” said Kate. “Don’t feel that your education defines a narrow path. We spend so much of our lives working, make it meaningful. Find the sector you want to help shape. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas and opinions. Work hard, enjoy the people around you, and stay curious."

If you want to build the digital skills and AI knowledge driving tomorrow’s tech industry, click here to discover our HE Computing pathways.