The Indus Valley - Head - New Product Development

Job Title: Head of New Product Development

Company: The Indus Valley

Location: Chennai, India

About Us : Join the culinary revolution at The Indus Valley, India's fastest-growing venture capital-funded startup, specializing in healthy kitchenware and cookware. We are a dynamic brand available both online and offline, committed to delivering innovative and top-quality products that empower healthier cooking and living. As we continue to expand, we are seeking an experienced Head of New Product Development to lead our journey in Chennai.

Position Overview : As the Head of New Product Development at The Indus Valley, you will be at the helm of driving innovation, creating groundbreaking products, and elevating our brand to new heights. Your proven expertise, strategic mindset, and unwavering commitment to quality will be instrumental in achieving our ambitious objectives.

Key Objectives:

Objective 1: New Product Launches and Variants to Fix Gaps

- Identify gaps in our product lineup and stay attuned to market trends.

- Craft and execute a robust new product launch strategy.

- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to introduce exciting new products and variants.

- Continually evaluate and enhance our product offerings to meet evolving customer demands.

Objective 2: Reduce Customer-Initiated Returns

- Analyze customer feedback and returns data to pinpoint areas for improvement.

- Lead initiatives aimed at enhancing product quality and minimizing returns.

- Forge strong partnerships with quality control and manufacturing teams to implement improvements swiftly.

- Monitor, analyze, and report on the effectiveness of initiatives in reducing returns.

Objective 3: Packaging Update to Reduce Volumetric Weight and Damage

- Conduct a comprehensive assessment of our existing packaging materials and methods.

- Champion sustainable packaging solutions to minimize volumetric weight.

- Innovate packaging designs that enhance product protection during transit.

- Quantify and track reductions in shipping damages and packaging waste.

Objective 4: Branding on Products and Trademark Words

- Devise a compelling branding strategy for product labeling and packaging.

- Ensure consistent and impactful branding across all our products.

- Safeguard trademarked words and phrases to establish and maintain brand recognition.

- Collaborate closely with our marketing teams to integrate branding into promotional materials seamlessly.

Objective 5: Set Up R&D Team and Product Standards

- Assemble and lead a high-performing R&D team.

- Establish clear, comprehensive product development standards and guidelines.

- Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

- Drive and direct research and development efforts to proactively stay ahead of market trends.

Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; a Master's degree is highly desirable.

- Minimum 8 years experience in NPD

- Proven track record of successfully spearheading product development and innovation.

- Demonstrated leadership prowess, with a history of effectively managing cross-functional teams.

- Exceptional analytical and problem-solving aptitude.

- Outstanding communication and collaboration skills.

- Knowledge of the kitchenware and cookware industry is a strong asset.