What does it take to develop solutions that truly make a difference for lab professionals? For Gavin Cook, Director of Product Management at ZAGENO, that means focusing on the right problems and transforming insights into tools that save time for science. Combining strategic thinking with an adventurous spirit, Gavin is proud to help drive innovation at ZAGENO, the industry’s leading lab supply marketplace.
East to West and Everything Between
Based in Berlin, Gavin leads a team spanning San Francisco to Bangalore, ensuring seamless collaboration across a 14.5-hour time difference. “Product management is a role that I always say is 80% communication,” Gavin explains. “It’s about aligning with engineers, product managers, designers, and stakeholders from operations, customer success, or sales.” Whether on Google Meet, Slack, or FigJam, his day revolves around cross-functional communication to keep projects on track.
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From Sound Waves to Software Solutions
Like all the best adventures, Gavin’s path to product management did not follow a straight line. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Gavin began his career as an audio engineer in broadcasting. In 2018, a move to Berlin provided an opportunity to pivot professionally.
“At the time, my German wasn’t great, so I had to filter job searches by English-speaking companies,” he recalls. That’s when ZAGENO popped up. Initially joining the Quality Assurance team, he quickly “observed this thing called product management and thought, ‘That looks like something I’d enjoy.’” Within a year, he made the switch, and the rest is history. “Product management happened to be the kind of thing that I feel like I was meant to do,” says Gavin.
Let the Right Problems In
For Gavin, impactful product management is more than just creating cool solutions. “It’s tempting to jump into solutions because that part is fun, but will the solution solve the right problems? That’s the bigger question,” he explains.
Gavin’s approach often involves the Toyota 5 Whys method, a problem-solving technique that digs deep into issues by repeatedly asking “why” to thoroughly explore and understand the problem space. However, moving from the discovery phase to execution isn’t always straightforward. Gavin has honed this skill over time, relying on experience to know when the problem is well-defined enough to begin solutioning.
This approach is evident in one of ZAGENO’s newest features: predicted ship dates. “We knew from customer feedback how important it is to know when an order would arrive. This was a complicated issue, as ZAGENO doesn’t warehouse products or control logistics. But understanding the problem clearly allowed us to leverage AI and machine learning to provide a solution.” The result? A feature that delivers high value to users while aligning with business goals.
The Future of B2B, and How It’s Like Your Golf Game
In Gavin’s view, personalization and prediction are the future of B2B platforms: “B2B purchasing is a bit like golf—you win by playing the least. The less time users spend ordering lab supplies on our platform, the better we’re doing our job. The more we can predict their needs before they even ask, the fewer steps they’ll have to take, and the more time we’re saving for science." By leveraging pre-trained AI models and advanced technologies, Gavin’s team is excited to redefine what intuitive, predictive platforms can achieve.
Learn more about automating workflows with ZAGENO!
Impromptu Hackathon Vibes
ZAGENO’s commitment to innovation extends to its culture, as showcased in a recent Bangalore hackathon. “It was optional, but the turnout was amazing,” Gavin says. The prototype developed during the event is already shaping customer-facing AI features. “It’s a testament to the excitement and creativity of our team. 2025 is going to be a very exciting year for ZAGENO, and our customers.”
Read about our 2024 Hackathon! 🚀
Never Not Challenged
“I never don't feel challenged. There's always something to learn, problems to solve,” Gavin shares. For those considering a career in product management, he offers this advice: “Be a self-starter. Product management is about being an adventurer, identifying problems, and providing value wherever you see you can, without being asked.”
Gavin’s approach to product management reflects ZAGENO’s commitment to innovation, proving that the best solutions come from a focus on what matters most.
About Gavin Cook:
Based in Berlin, Gavin Cook joined ZAGENO in October 2018. As Director of Product Management, he excels at driving customer-centric innovation, aligning cross-functional teams, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Gavin’s goal is to ensure ZAGENO consistently identifies and addresses the most pressing customer pain points, enabling the company to deliver on its mission to save time for science. With a deep empathy for customers and a passion for problem-solving, he contributes to the development and evolution of ZAGENO’s product strategy and roadmap, ensuring it stays aligned with customer needs and industry demands.
