Product Planning Manager

Role Purpose

Drive category growth and portfolio strategy for kitchen appliances by developing consumer-centric product roadmaps, differentiated propositions, and profitable SKU portfolios across channels. Work cross-functionally with R&D, Manufacturing, Sales, Marketing, and Service teams to ensure successful product planning, launch execution, and lifecycle management for V-Guard and Sunflame brands.

Key Responsibilities

• Build periodic intelligence on category trends, competition, consumer behavior, pricing, and channel dynamics.
• Translate insights into strategic inputs for segmentation, positioning, PRM development, GTM strategy, and marketing planning.
• Develop short-term, mid-term, and long-term product roadmaps for key kitchen appliance categories.
• Ensure clear product differentiation across price tiers and channels.
• Manage SKU portfolio planning, lifecycle management, and phase-outs.
• Develop target consumer propositions and channel-specific variants to maximize market reach and minimize trade conflict.
• Collaborate with Key Account Managers and Sales teams on product positioning, targets, pricing, and schemes.
• Work closely with R&D and Manufacturing teams to convert product concepts into commercially viable SKUs.
• Ensure timely product development milestones and launch execution.
• Work with Commercial, Costing, and Sales teams to finalize pricing strategies, trade payouts, and schemes.
• Monitor SKU-level profitability and recommend corrective actions.
• Enable Product Marketing and Digital Marketing teams with insights for marketing campaigns and customer engagement.
• Support product launch planning and sales enablement.
• Identify emerging consumer needs, technology trends, and new business opportunities.
• Collaborate with startups and ecosystem partners to explore IoT-enabled and next-generation appliance solutions.

Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Engineering preferred

MBA

Experience

810 years of experience in Product Planning, Product Management, or Category Management in the consumer appliances or consumer durables industry. Experience in multinational or reputed consumer brands preferred.

Key Skills

• Product Strategy & Roadmapping
• Market & Consumer Insights
• Pricing & Profitability Management
• Cross-functional Stakeholder Management
• Strong Communication & Business Writing Skills
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking