Product Development Manager

Job Title: Product Development Manager (Grade B)

Location: Vikhroli, Mumbai Reporting To: Business Heads - Automotive Coatings & Industrial Coatings Team: One-member team - Manager Level

Role Overview:

We are seeking a highly driven and technically adept Product Development Manager to lead product innovation and project execution across our Automotive Coatings and Industrial Coatings businesses. The ideal candidate will act as a critical link between R&D, Sales/KAM, and customers - translating market and customer needs into viable, high-performance coating solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

- Project Management: Drive end-to-end product development projects - from ideation and formulation to trials and commercial rollout.

- Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the bridge between R&D, Sales, and Key Account Managers to ensure product development aligns with market expectations and business goals.

- Customer Requirement Analysis: Interact with clients and internal sales teams to gather, assess, and prioritize product needs and translate them into technical development briefs.

- Technical Validation: Oversee lab trials, pilot testing, and field validation in coordination with R&D and application teams.

- Documentation & Compliance: Ensure all technical and regulatory documentation is in place for products developed for different segments.

- Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with procurement, supply chain, and quality assurance for seamless product introduction.

Required Qualifications & Skills:

Education:

- Ph.D. (preferably from IITs) or M.Tech in Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field.

- Customer-oriented mindset with a hands-on approach

Experience:

- Minimum 8-12 years of experience in product development/project management roles, preferably in coatings or specialty chemicals.

- Prior exposure to automotive and/or industrial coatings is highly desirable.

Key Skills:

- Strong understanding of coating formulations and performance parameters

- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and project management skills

- Experience working in a cross-functional environment

- Customer-oriented mindset with a hands-on approach