Product Operations Manager · Pioneer

BESTMACHEKA

Product Architect · Technology Leader · Harare, ZW

The first-ever Product Operations Manager at Telco Broadband & Beyond — built the Product Org from scratch, introduced Agile & Scrum, and sits on the Risk Management Taskforce. Five years of deep work across VoIP, ERP, payments, cloud, and cybersecurity.

Product StrategyOdoo ERP Agile / ScrumAWS Cloud VoIP SystemsEcoCash · InnBucks Linux · KaliMikroTik
01 · PROFILE

Best Macheka

I'm a Product Operations Manager and technology leader who operates at the intersection of deep engineering and strategic product thinking. Based in Harare, Zimbabwe, I'm the first person to ever hold the Product Operations Manager role at Telco Broadband & Beyond — a position I created by demonstrating its value and then building the entire function from the ground up.

My career began in systems engineering where I built payment integrations for EcoCash, InnBucks, and EFT Pay, deployed VoIP platforms including YETI, IVOZ, WAZO, FreePBX, 3CX, and Yeastar, implemented Odoo and OpenBravo ERP systems, and conducted penetration testing with Kali Linux.

Today I lead the Product Org using Agile and Scrum I introduced to the company, manage broadband Quality of Service, govern CI/CD pipelines, oversee ZIMRA FDMS compliance, and sit on the company's Risk Management Taskforce.

5+
Years in Telco & Tech
1st
Product Ops Manager at company
99.98%
Infrastructure availability
<2hr
Critical MTTR sustained
~40%
Reduction in manual ops
~30%
Faster product launch cycles
02 · CAPABILITIES

Techstack & toolset

📦
Product & PM
Jira · Confluence
Notion · Miro
OKRs · Product Analytics
Agile / Scrum (introduced)
Roadmapping · GTM
🔁
ERP & Business
Odoo 18 (dev & admin)
OpenBravo ERP
Business-in-a-Box
ZIMRA FDMS
💳
Payments & Billing
EcoCash · InnBucks · EFT Pay
Esocket · Postilion
CGRates · RADIUS
📞
VoIP & Telephony
YETI · IVOZ · WAZO
FreePBX · 3CX · Yeastar
Asterisk softswitch
☁️
Cloud & DevOps
AWS · Google Cloud
Microsoft 365
Terraform · Docker
GitHub Actions · GitLab CI
🌐
Networking & Infra
MikroTik · TP-Link
HP Servers
Load balancing
Cloudflare · DNS
📊
Data & Observability
Grafana · LibreNMS
Icinga · Thruk
PostgreSQL · Power BI
🔐
Security & OS
Kali Linux (pen testing)
10+ Linux distros
Windows · macOS
03 · CAREER HISTORY

The journey

2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2017
PRODUCT OPERATIONS MANAGER
★ First-ever · Telco Broadband & Beyond · Harare · Mar 2025 – Present
Founded and leads the Product Organisation from scratch. Introduced Agile and Scrum, now the delivery standard across all squads. Governs CI/CD, manages broadband QoS, oversees ZIMRA FDMS compliance, and sits on the Risk Management Taskforce. Sustained 99.98% infrastructure availability and MTTR under 2 hours.
Agile/ScrumOKRsQoSRisk TaskforceCI/CDZIMRA FDMS
PRODUCT ORGANIZATION TEAM LEAD
Telco Broadband & Beyond · Harare · Jan 2024 – Mar 2025
Introduced Agile & Scrum. Coordinated the Budiriro Internet Yedu Community WiFi project. Built executive dashboards using Grafana & PostgreSQL and NPS feedback loops shaping quarterly roadmaps.
GrafanaPostgreSQLCommunity WiFiNPS
INDEPENDENT IT CONSULTANT
Harare, Zimbabwe · 2023
Delivered Odoo ERP implementations, website development, cPanel hosting, DNS & Cloudflare configuration, and IT solutions for SME clients.
OdooAWScPanelCloudflare
DEVOPS & INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER
Telco Broadband & Beyond · Harare · Jan 2022 – Dec 2022
Built CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions. Provisioned AWS infrastructure via Terraform. Deployed WiFi hotspot networks using MikroTik and TP-Link. Administered HP server load balancing and Cloudflare DNS.
TerraformAWSGitHub ActionsWiFi Hotspots
SYSTEMS ENGINEER / APPLICATIONS DEVELOPER
Telco Broadband & Beyond · Harare · Mar 2021 – Dec 2021
Built Odoo & OpenBravo ERP modules via XML-RPC. Integrated EcoCash, InnBucks, and EFT Pay. Worked with Esocket and Postilion. Deployed VoIP systems. Set up POS machines and Raspberry Pi kiosks. Conducted Kali Linux penetration testing.
OdooEcoCash · InnBucksVoIP × 7Kali Linux
B.SC. INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Midlands State University · Gweru, Zimbabwe · 2017 – 2021
Studied systems analysis & design, database management, software engineering, and network administration.
Systems DesignDatabasesNetworking
04 · SELECTED WORK

Notable projects

01
🌐
Budiriro Internet Yedu Community WiFi
Zimbabwe's first community broadband initiative — deployment, stakeholder coordination, and service launch for an underserved Harare suburb.
WiFi InfrastructureCommunityMikroTik
02
🏛️
Product Org — Built From Zero
Founded the entire Product Ops function. Designed team structure, OKRs, Agile rituals governing all product delivery company-wide.
Org DesignAgile/ScrumOKRs
03
🧾
ZIMRA FDMS Compliance Rollout
Led deployment and client onboarding for ZIMRA fiscal compliance integrated into Odoo ERP for multiple businesses.
ZIMRAOdooCompliance
04
💳
Zimbabwe Payment Gateway Integrations
Integrated EcoCash, InnBucks, and EFT Pay into telecoms billing and ERP — covering all three major digital payment rails in Zimbabwe.
EcoCashInnBucksEFT Pay
05
📊
Executive Analytics Dashboards
Real-time Grafana + PostgreSQL dashboards providing live visibility into product health, SLA compliance, and churn risk.
GrafanaPostgreSQLKPIs
06
☁️
Cloud Infrastructure & ERP Deployments
AWS-hosted Odoo ERP for multiple clients with Terraform IaC, Google Cloud & M365 admin, and full DNS / Cloudflare administration.
AWSTerraformOdoo
05 · CREDENTIALS

Verified qualifications

☁️
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Amazon Web Services
VERIFIED
🔮
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure 2025 AI Foundations Associate
Oracle
2025
🔁
Odoo ERP Certification
Odoo S.A.
VERIFIED
📊
Product Analytics Certification
Product School
VERIFIED
📦
Product Management Basics
Product School
VERIFIED
🎓
B.Sc. Information Systems
Midlands State University, Zimbabwe
2017–2021
06 · GET IN TOUCH

Let's connect

Whether you're looking for a product leader who can go deep on technical details, someone to drive Agile transformation, or a specialist in Zimbabwe's telecoms and payments ecosystem — I'd love to hear from you.

PRODUCT OPS MANAGER // PIONEER

BEST MACHEKA

Product Manager & Technology Leader

First-ever Product Operations Manager at Telco Broadband & Beyond. I founded the Product Org, introduced Agile & Scrum, and sit on the Risk Management Taskforce — with deep roots across VoIP, ERP, payments, cloud, and cybersecurity.

5+Years
99.98%Uptime
<2HRMTTR
~40%Ops ↓
ABOUT // PROFILE

The operator behind the system

I'm Best Macheka — a Product Operations Manager and technology leader based in Harare, Zimbabwe. I'm the first person to ever hold the Product Operations Manager title at Telco Broadband & Beyond.

What makes me unusual is the full-stack depth behind the product thinking. I've configured MikroTik routers, deployed YETI and IVOZ VoIP softswitches, integrated EcoCash payment gateways, built Odoo ERP modules, administered Google Cloud, and conducted penetration tests with Kali Linux.

I introduced Agile and Scrum to my organisation, sit on the Risk Management Taskforce, and coordinated the Budiriro Internet Yedu Community WiFi — bringing affordable broadband to an underserved Harare suburb for the first time.

🏆
First-ever in the role
Founded the Product Organisation from the ground up — no playbook, no predecessor.
Agile transformation driver
Introduced Agile and Scrum — now the delivery standard across all squads.
🌐
Community impact
Coordinated Budiriro Internet Yedu Community WiFi — first in that Harare suburb.
🛡️
Risk & governance
Active member of the Risk Management Taskforce at executive level.
SKILLS // CAPABILITIES

Techstack & toolset

📦PRODUCT & PM06
JiraConfluenceNotionMiroOKRsAnalytics
🔁ERP & BUSINESS04
Odoo 18OpenBravoBiz-in-a-BoxZIMRA FDMS
💳BILLING & PAYMENTS06
CGRatesEcoCashInnBucksEFT PayEsocketPostilion
📞VOIP & TELEPHONY07
YETIIVOZWAZOFreePBX3CXYeastarAsterisk
☁️CLOUD & DEVOPS07
AWSGoogle CloudM365TerraformDockerGitHub ActionsGitLab CI
🌐NETWORKING06
MikroTikTP-LinkHP ServersLoad BalancingCloudflareDNS
📊OBSERVABILITY06
GrafanaLibreNMSIcingaThrukPostgreSQLPower BI
🔐SECURITY & OS05
Kali LinuxPen Testing10+ DistrosWindowsmacOS
TIMELINE // CAREER LOG

Mission history

MAR 2025 — PRESENT
Product Operations Manager ★ First-ever
Telco Broadband & Beyond · Harare, Zimbabwe
Founded the Product Organisation from scratch. Leads Agile squads, governs CI/CD, manages broadband QoS, oversees ZIMRA FDMS compliance, and sits on the Risk Management Taskforce. Sustained 99.98% infrastructure availability.
Agile/ScrumOKRsQoSRisk TaskforceCI/CD
JAN 2024 — MAR 2025
Product Organization Team Lead
Telco Broadband & Beyond · Harare, Zimbabwe
Introduced Agile & Scrum. Coordinated the Budiriro Internet Yedu Community WiFi project. Built executive dashboards and NPS loops shaping quarterly roadmaps.
GrafanaPostgreSQLCommunity WiFiNPS
2023
Independent IT Consultant
Harare, Zimbabwe
Odoo ERP implementations, website development, cPanel hosting, DNS, and cloud solutions for SME clients.
OdoocPanelAWSDNS
JAN 2022 — DEC 2022
DevOps & Infrastructure Engineer
Telco Broadband & Beyond · Harare, Zimbabwe
Built CI/CD pipelines, provisioned AWS via Terraform, deployed WiFi hotspot networks, and administered HP server load balancing and Cloudflare DNS.
TerraformAWSGitHub ActionsWiFi Hotspots
MAR 2021 — DEC 2021
Systems Engineer / Applications Developer
Telco Broadband & Beyond · Harare, Zimbabwe
Built ERP modules, integrated EcoCash / InnBucks / EFT Pay, deployed VoIP systems, set up POS & Raspberry Pi kiosks, and conducted Kali Linux pen testing.
OdooEcoCashVoIP × 6Kali Linux
2017 — 2021
B.Sc. Information Systems
Midlands State University · Gweru, Zimbabwe
Foundation in systems analysis, database management, software engineering, and network administration.
Systems DesignDatabasesNetworking
PROJECTS // DEPLOYMENTS

Notable missions

// 001
🌐
Budiriro Internet Yedu Community WiFi
Zimbabwe's first community broadband initiative — technical deployment, coordination, and service launch for an underserved Harare suburb.
WiFi InfraCommunityStakeholders
// 002
🏛️
Product Organisation — Built From Zero
Founded the entire Product Ops function. Designed team structure, delivery frameworks, OKRs, and Agile rituals governing all product delivery.
Org DesignAgile/ScrumOKRs
// 003
🧾
ZIMRA FDMS Compliance Rollout
Led deployment and client onboarding for ZIMRA fiscal compliance, integrating requirements into Odoo ERP for multiple businesses.
ZIMRAOdooCompliance
// 004
💳
Zimbabwe Payment Gateway Integrations
Integrated EcoCash, InnBucks, and EFT Pay into telecoms billing and ERP — covering all three major digital payment rails in Zimbabwe.
EcoCashInnBucksEFT Pay
// 005
📊
Executive Analytics Dashboards
Real-time Grafana + PostgreSQL dashboards giving leadership visibility into product health, SLA compliance, and churn risk.
GrafanaPostgreSQLKPIs
// 006
☁️
Cloud Infrastructure & ERP Deployments
AWS-hosted Odoo ERP for multiple clients with Terraform IaC, Google Cloud & M365 admin, and full cPanel / DNS / Cloudflare administration.
AWSTerraformOdoo
CERTIFICATIONS // CREDENTIALS

Verified credentials

☁️
AWS CERTIFIED CLOUD PRACTITIONER
Amazon Web Services
🔮
ORACLE CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE 2025 AI FOUNDATIONS
Oracle
🔁
ODOO ERP CERTIFICATION
Odoo S.A.
📊
PRODUCT ANALYTICS CERTIFICATION
Product School
📦
PRODUCT MANAGEMENT BASICS
Product School
🎓
B.SC. INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Midlands State University · 2017–2021
CONTACT // COMMS CHANNEL

Open a channel

whoami

Best
Macheka

Product Manager Product Operations Harare, ZW

Pioneer Product Operations Manager at Telco Broadband & Beyond — the first to hold the role. Introduced Agile & Scrum, built the Product Org from zero, and sits on the Risk Management Taskforce. Deep technical roots across VoIP, ERP, payments, cloud, and Linux.

5+
Years in Telco
99.98%
Infra Uptime
<2hr
Critical MTTR
~30%
Faster Launches
about_me.md

The person behind the role

I'm Best Macheka — a Product Operations Manager and technology leader based in Harare, Zimbabwe. I'm the first person to ever hold the Product Operations Manager title at Telco Broadband & Beyond, where I built the entire Product Organisation from scratch.

What makes me unusual is the full-stack depth behind the product thinking. I've configured MikroTik routers, deployed VoIP softswitches, integrated EcoCash payment gateways, built Odoo ERP modules, administered Google Cloud, and conducted penetration tests — all while owning product roadmaps and leading Agile delivery teams.

I introduced Agile and Scrum to my organisation, sit on the company's Risk Management Taskforce, and coordinated the Budiriro Internet Yedu Community WiFi — bringing affordable broadband to an underserved Harare suburb for the first time.

🏆 First-ever in the role

Founded the Product Organisation at Telco Broadband & Beyond from the ground up — no playbook, no predecessor.

⚡ Agile transformation

Introduced Agile and Scrum — now the standard delivery framework across all product squads.

🌐 Community impact

Coordinated Budiriro Internet Yedu Community WiFi — first community broadband in that Harare suburb.

🛡️ Risk & governance

Active member of the Risk Management Taskforce, contributing technology risk assessments at executive level.

skills.config

Tools & Technologies

📦Product & PM6
JiraConfluenceNotionMiroOKRsAnalytics
🔁ERP & Business4
Odoo 18OpenBravoBiz-in-a-BoxZIMRA FDMS
💳Billing & Payments6
CGRatesEcoCashInnBucksEFT PayEsocketPostilion
📞VoIP & Telephony7
AsteriskYETIIVOZWAZOFreePBX3CXYeastar
☁️Cloud & DevOps7
AWSGoogle CloudM365TerraformDockerGitHub ActionsGitLab CI
🌐Networking6
MikroTikTP-LinkHP ServersLoad BalancingCloudflareDNS
📊Observability & Data6
GrafanaLibreNMSIcingaThrukPostgreSQLPower BI
🔐Security & OS5
Kali LinuxPen Testing10+ DistrosWindowsmacOS
git log career

Career Timeline

Mar 2025 — Present
Product Operations Manager ★ First-ever
Telco Broadband & Beyond · Harare
Founded the Product Organisation department. Leads cross-functional Agile squads, governs CI/CD pipelines, manages broadband QoS, oversees ZIMRA FDMS compliance, and sits on the Risk Management Taskforce.
Agile/ScrumOKRsQoSRisk ManagementCI/CD
Jan 2024 — Mar 2025
Product Organization Team Lead
Telco Broadband & Beyond · Harare
Introduced Agile & Scrum to the organisation. Coordinated the Budiriro Internet Yedu Community WiFi project. Built executive dashboards and NPS feedback loops shaping quarterly roadmaps.
GrafanaPostgreSQLCommunity WiFiRoadmapping
2023
Independent IT Consultant
Harare, Zimbabwe
Delivered Odoo ERP implementations, website development, and cloud hosting solutions for SME clients. Deepened expertise in cPanel, DNS, and Google Cloud.
OdoocPanelCloud HostingDNS
Jan 2022 — Dec 2022
DevOps & Infrastructure Engineer
Telco Broadband & Beyond · Harare
Built CI/CD pipelines with GitHub Actions, provisioned AWS infrastructure via Terraform, deployed WiFi hotspot networks, administered HP server load balancing, and managed Cloudflare DNS.
TerraformAWSGitHub ActionsWiFi Hotspots
Mar 2021 — Dec 2021
Systems Engineer / Applications Developer
Telco Broadband & Beyond · Harare
Built Odoo & OpenBravo ERP modules, integrated EcoCash / InnBucks / EFT Pay, deployed VoIP systems, set up POS & Raspberry Pi kiosks, and conducted Kali Linux penetration tests.
OdooEcoCashVoIPKali Linux
2017 — 2021
B.Sc. Information Systems
Midlands State University · Gweru, Zimbabwe
Foundation in systems analysis, database management, software engineering, and network administration.
Systems DesignDatabasesNetworking
ls -la projects/

Notable Projects

🌐
Budiriro Internet Yedu Community WiFi
Zimbabwe's first community broadband initiative — managing technical deployment, stakeholder engagement, and service launch for an underserved Harare suburb.
WiFi InfrastructureCommunity ImpactStakeholder Mgmt
🏛️
Product Organisation — Built from Zero
Founded the entire Product Ops function. Designed team structure, delivery frameworks, OKRs, tooling, and Agile rituals governing all product delivery.
Org DesignAgile/ScrumOKRs
🧾
ZIMRA FDMS Compliance Rollout
Led deployment and client onboarding for ZIMRA fiscal compliance, integrating requirements into Odoo ERP for multiple business clients.
ZIMRAOdooCompliance
💳
Zimbabwe Payment Gateway Integrations
Integrated EcoCash, InnBucks, and EFT Pay into telecoms billing and ERP, covering all three major digital payment rails in Zimbabwe.
EcoCashInnBucksEFT Pay
📊
Executive Analytics Dashboards
Real-time dashboards using Grafana and PostgreSQL giving leadership visibility into product health, SLA compliance, MTTR, and churn risk.
GrafanaPostgreSQLKPIs
☁️
Cloud Infrastructure & ERP Deployments
AWS-hosted Odoo ERP for multiple clients with Terraform IaC, Google Cloud & M365 admin, and full DNS / Cloudflare administration.
AWSOdooTerraform
verify --credentials

Certifications & Qualifications

☁️
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Amazon Web Services
🔮
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure 2025 AI Foundations Associate
Oracle
🔁
Odoo ERP Certification
Odoo S.A.
📊
Product Analytics Certification
Product School
📦
Product Management Basics
Product School
🎓
B.Sc. Information Systems
Midlands State University · 2017–2021