General Manager/Senior General Manager - Product Management - Saree Business

Position Summary:

The organization is seeking an experienced and visionary Product Manager - Saree Business to lead the end-to-end product lifecycle for its saree portfolio. The role is responsible for product strategy, market analysis, design direction, range planning, merchandising, sourcing coordination, pricing, sales enablement, and profitability management.

The incumbent plays a pivotal role in strengthening the market leadership in sarees by identifying emerging fashion trends, launching commercially successful collections, and ensuring alignment between consumer preferences, brand positioning, and business objectives.

This position requires deep expertise in sarees, fabrics, ethnic wear, textile fashion trends, merchandising, and large-scale product management.

Key Responsibilities:

Product Strategy & Portfolio Management:

- Define and execute the product roadmap for the saree category.

- Develop short-term and long-term product strategies aligned with business goals.

- Manage the complete lifecycle from concept to market launch and product phase-out.

- Drive category growth, profitability, and market leadership.

Market Research & Consumer Insights:

- Analyze market trends, fashion movements, customer preferences, and competitor offerings.

- Monitor regional demand patterns and export markets.

- Identify opportunities for innovation in fabric, design, embellishments, colors, and styling.

- Conduct regular competitive benchmarking.

Collection Development & Merchandising:

- Lead seasonal and festive collection planning.

- Work closely with design teams to develop trend-right and commercially viable saree collections.

- Ensure product assortment aligns with target customer segments.

- Drive category-wise and region-wise assortment planning.

Key Categories:

- Printed Sarees

- Designer Sarees

- Wedding & Occasion Wear Sarees

- Festive Collections

- Premium Sarees

- Daily Wear Sarees

- Contemporary Fashion Sarees

Product Development:

- Coordinate with design teams, manufacturing units, sourcing teams, vendors, and quality teams.

- Ensure timely product development and commercialization.

- Monitor product quality, costing, and manufacturability.

- Drive innovation in fabrics, prints, textures, and finishes.

Pricing & Profitability Management:

- Develop pricing strategies based on market positioning and profitability objectives.

- Analyze category margins and product profitability.

- Recommend pricing actions based on competitor and market analysis.

- Optimize contribution margins while ensuring competitiveness.

Sales & Business Support:

- Partner with sales and marketing teams to drive product success.

- Develop product launch strategies and go-to-market plans.

- Support channel partners with product knowledge and category insights.

- Participate in key customer meetings and dealer engagement programs.

Inventory & Demand Planning:

- Collaborate with planning and supply chain teams.

- Forecast demand and ensure product availability.

- Minimize stock obsolescence and inventory aging.

- Optimize inventory turns and sell-through rates.

Brand & Trend Leadership:

- Ensure the brand remains at the forefront of saree fashion innovation.

- Translate fashion trends into commercial products.

- Identify emerging customer lifestyles and purchasing behaviors.

- Recommend new business opportunities within the saree and ethnic wear segments.

P&L Ownership:

- Manage saree category revenues and profitability.

- Drive achievement of annual business targets.

- Monitor performance by collection, region, distribution channel, and customer segment.

Stakeholder Management:

- Collaborate with design, sourcing, manufacturing, marketing, sales, retail operations, and e-commerce teams.

- Ensure seamless execution of category plans and commercial objectives.

Team Leadership:

- Lead merchandising and product management teams.

- Develop product managers and category specialists.

- Build a culture of innovation, speed, and accountability.

Experience Required:

- 15+ years of experience.