Senior Manager - Product Specialist

Senior Manager - Product Specialist

Experience: 5-20 Years

Location: Mumbai, (Pan-India Travel)

Reporting To: Business Head

Business Unit: Multi Vertical

Skills: Technical & Product Skills, Polymer Chemistry

Working Language: English

SECTION 1: POSITION OVERVIEW

Senior Manager - Product Specialist

SECTION 2: ROLE PURPOSE & BUSINESS CONTEXT

This role sits at the intersection of technology, commercial strategy, and market development, translating formulation expertise and market intelligence into profitable, differentiated products that strengthen Pidilite's leadership in construction, woodworking, automotive, and industrial maintenance segments.

The role requires an individual who combines deep technical knowledge of polymers with strong commercial instincts, capable of managing product P&L;, driving innovation pipelines, and engaging directly with customers, distributors, and stakeholders.

KRA 1 - Product Portfolio Management & Strategy

- Own the complete product lifecycle across all SKUs and pack sizes.

- Define and execute multi-year product strategies including positioning, lifecycle management, portfolio rationalization, and SKU pruning.

- Develop product differentiation frameworks highlighting USPs, competitive advantages, and application benefits.

- Drive annual and long-term product planning including volume projections, capacity requirements, and market opportunity sizing.

- Conduct product profitability analysis across SKUs, regions, and channels.

- Manage product rationalization by analysing slow-moving inventory, negative contribution products, and regional demand imbalances.

KRA 2 - New Product Development & Launch (NPD)

- Lead the innovation pipeline and drive commercialization through the Pi2M stage-gate process.

- Build board-level investment cases covering market sizing, competition, feasibility, financial projections, and risk assessment.

- Coordinate with R&D; teams for development and launch of new products.

- Conduct product trials with end-users and distributors and generate evaluation reports.

- Define annual NPD plans and communicate pipeline progress to stakeholders.

- Coordinate with SCM and packaging teams for production readiness and supply chain alignment.

- Develop launch materials including PTNs, sales training decks, application guides, and demo kits.

- Align raw material sourcing with formulation improvement projects.

- Manage monthly NPD pipeline reviews and escalate delays proactively.

KRA 3 - Market Intelligence & Competitive Analysis

- Maintain structured market intelligence covering competitor products, pricing, distribution, and innovation.

- Analyse emerging trends across construction, automotive, woodworking, and industrial sectors.

- Conduct competitive benchmarking across performance, pricing, packaging, and channel strategies.

- Visit customers, applicators, distributors, and end users to gather market insights.

- Identify new application opportunities and customer segments.

- Conduct product replication analysis against global benchmarks.

KRA 4 - Product Promotion, Branding & Communication

- Develop technical brochures, application guides, success stories, and promotional materials.

- Deliver technical training programs for sales teams, distributors, and retail partners.

- Promote product USPs through technical presentations, demonstrations, and field visits.

- Develop FAQs, reference guides, and video demonstrations.

- Represent Pidilite at industry events, trade shows, and customer seminars.

KRA 5 - Complaint Management & Technical Support

- Manage product quality, application, and packaging complaints from receipt to closure.

- Conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and implement CAPA actions.

- Provide technical support to regional sales teams and key customers.

- Develop complaint tracking systems and generate monthly trend reports.

- Coordinate with R&D; and quality teams on formulation and process improvements.

- Manage the PCMS portal.