Celonis Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Celonis is the global leader in Process Mining technology, recognized as one of the fastest-growing SaaS firms in the world.

As a Product Manager at Celonis, you will play a crucial role in driving innovation and enhancing customer experience in the realm of Process Intelligence. Your primary responsibilities will include working closely with customers to understand their pain points related to IT transformations, particularly in the transition from legacy systems to cloud-based solutions. You will be involved in every stage of the product development lifecycle—from ideation to execution—ensuring that the solutions align with customer needs and company objectives.

Key skills for this role include a strong background in data analysis, particularly with tools like SQL, PQL, and Python, as well as experience with ERP systems such as SAP and Oracle. You should possess excellent project management capabilities, creativity in problem-solving, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. Strong communication skills are essential, as you will regularly engage with various stakeholders, including customers and engineering teams, to define product features and user experiences.

The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment, demonstrating a proactive and solution-oriented mindset. This guide is designed to help you prepare for your interview at Celonis by outlining the key competencies and expectations for the Product Manager role, ensuring you can effectively showcase your skills and experiences that align with the company's values and mission.

The interview process for a Product Manager role at Celonis is structured and thorough, designed to assess both technical and interpersonal skills essential for the position.

1. Initial HR Screening

The process typically begins with a phone interview with an HR representative. This initial screening lasts about 30-45 minutes and focuses on your background, motivations, and understanding of the company and its products. Expect questions about your previous experiences and how they relate to the role at Celonis.

2. Hiring Manager Interview

Following the HR screening, candidates usually have a 30-60 minute interview with the hiring manager. This discussion dives deeper into your professional experiences, particularly those relevant to product management and IT transformations. The hiring manager may also assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle customer interactions.

3. Technical Assessment

Candidates are often required to complete a technical assignment or case study relevant to the role. This assignment may involve analyzing data, developing a product strategy, or presenting a solution to a hypothetical business problem. You will typically have a week to complete this task, and it is crucial to demonstrate your analytical skills and creativity in problem-solving.

4. Presentation and Discussion

After submitting the technical assignment, candidates usually present their findings and solutions in a follow-up interview. This session often includes the hiring manager and possibly other team members. They will ask questions about your approach, the rationale behind your decisions, and how your solutions align with customer needs and business objectives.

5. Final Interview with Senior Management

The final step in the interview process typically involves a conversation with senior management or executives. This interview focuses on cultural fit, leadership style, and your vision for the role. Expect to discuss how you would contribute to the team and the company’s goals, as well as your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Throughout the process, candidates are encouraged to ask questions to better understand the company culture and expectations.

Now, let's explore the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during this process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Company Culture

Celonis values customer-centricity, teamwork, and innovation. Familiarize yourself with their core values: Live for Customer Value, The Best Team Wins, We Own It, and Earth Is Our Future. During the interview, demonstrate how your personal values align with these principles. Share examples from your past experiences that reflect your commitment to customer value and collaboration.

Prepare for a Structured Interview Process

The interview process at Celonis typically involves multiple rounds, including HR screening, technical assessments, and interviews with various stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in detail, particularly how they relate to product management and IT transformations. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and concisely, as communication skills are highly valued.

Showcase Your Technical Proficiency

As a Product Manager, you will need to demonstrate your expertise in data analysis and familiarity with tools like SQL, PQL, and Python. Be ready to discuss how you have used these tools in past projects to drive product decisions. If possible, prepare a case study or example where you utilized data to solve a problem or improve a process.

Emphasize Problem-Solving Skills

Celonis is looking for candidates who are creative problem solvers. Prepare to discuss specific challenges you have faced in previous roles and how you approached them. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, focusing on the impact of your solutions.

Be Ready for Technical Challenges

Expect to encounter technical assessments or case studies during the interview process. These may involve analyzing data or developing a product strategy. Familiarize yourself with common scenarios related to IT transformations and be prepared to discuss how you would approach these challenges using the Celonis platform.

Engage with Your Interviewers

Interviews at Celonis are often described as friendly and engaging. Take the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions about the team, the product development process, and the challenges they face. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.

Follow Up with Feedback

After your interviews, consider sending a thank-you note to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. If you receive feedback, whether positive or constructive, be open to it and use it as a learning experience for future interviews.

By preparing thoroughly and aligning your experiences with Celonis's values and expectations, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Product Manager role. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Manager interview at Celonis. The interview process will likely focus on your experience with product management, data analysis, and your ability to understand customer needs. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, how you approach problem-solving, and your familiarity with the Celonis platform and its applications.

Product Management

1. Describe a product you managed from ideation to launch. What were the key challenges you faced?

This question assesses your end-to-end product management experience and your ability to navigate challenges.

How to Answer

Discuss a specific product, highlighting your role in each phase of development, the challenges encountered, and how you overcame them.

Example

“I managed a project to develop a new feature for our analytics platform. The key challenge was aligning the diverse needs of stakeholders. I facilitated workshops to gather input and iteratively refined the product based on feedback, which ultimately led to a successful launch.”

2. How do you prioritize features in your product roadmap?

This question evaluates your decision-making process and understanding of customer value.

How to Answer

Explain your criteria for prioritization, such as customer impact, business goals, and resource availability.

Example

“I prioritize features based on customer feedback, market research, and alignment with our strategic goals. I use a scoring system to evaluate each feature's potential impact and feasibility, ensuring that we focus on delivering maximum value.”

3. Can you give an example of how you used data to inform a product decision?

This question tests your analytical skills and ability to leverage data in product management.

How to Answer

Provide a specific instance where data analysis influenced your decision-making process.

Example

“During the development of a new dashboard feature, I analyzed user engagement metrics and discovered that users were struggling with navigation. This data led us to redesign the user interface, resulting in a 30% increase in user satisfaction post-launch.”

4. How do you handle conflicts among stakeholders during the product development process?

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and conflict resolution strategies.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to communication and collaboration in resolving conflicts.

Example

“When conflicts arise, I facilitate open discussions to understand each stakeholder's perspective. I aim to find common ground and propose solutions that align with our overall objectives, ensuring that everyone feels heard and valued.”

Technical Skills

1. What experience do you have with SQL and data analysis tools?

This question evaluates your technical proficiency, which is crucial for a Product Manager at Celonis.

How to Answer

Detail your experience with SQL and any relevant data analysis tools, emphasizing how you’ve used them in past roles.

Example

“I have over four years of experience using SQL for data extraction and analysis. In my previous role, I utilized SQL to analyze customer behavior data, which informed our product development strategy and helped us identify key areas for improvement.”

2. How would you approach a project involving IT transformation for a client?

This question assesses your understanding of IT transformation processes and your strategic thinking.

How to Answer

Outline your approach to understanding client needs, defining project scope, and executing the transformation.

Example

“I would start by conducting stakeholder interviews to understand their pain points and objectives. Then, I would collaborate with our technical team to design a tailored solution, ensuring that we mitigate risks during the transition and maintain process continuity.”

3. Describe your experience with ERP systems like SAP or Oracle.

This question gauges your familiarity with essential tools relevant to the role.

How to Answer

Share your experience with specific ERP systems and how you’ve leveraged them in product management.

Example

“I have worked extensively with SAP in my previous role, where I managed a project to integrate new analytics features. This experience taught me the intricacies of ERP systems and how to align product features with user needs effectively.”

Customer Focus

1. How do you gather and incorporate customer feedback into your product development?

This question evaluates your customer-centric approach to product management.

How to Answer

Explain your methods for collecting feedback and how you integrate it into the product lifecycle.

Example

“I regularly conduct user interviews and surveys to gather feedback. I also analyze support tickets to identify common issues. This feedback is prioritized in our product backlog, ensuring that we address customer needs effectively.”

2. Can you describe a time when you had to pivot a product strategy based on customer insights?

This question assesses your adaptability and responsiveness to customer needs.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example where customer feedback led to a significant change in your product strategy.

Example

“After launching a new feature, we received feedback indicating that it was too complex for users. Based on this insight, we pivoted our strategy to simplify the user interface, which resulted in a 40% increase in adoption rates.”

3. How do you ensure that your team remains aligned with customer needs throughout the product lifecycle?

This question evaluates your leadership and communication skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your strategies for maintaining alignment and ensuring that customer needs are prioritized.

Example

“I hold regular cross-functional meetings to discuss customer feedback and product updates. I also encourage team members to engage directly with customers, fostering a culture of customer-centricity within the team.”