New Product Development Head

About the Company

A leading manufacturing/building materials organization specializing in panel boards, solid surfaces, and décor surfaces, seeking an experienced professional to lead New Product Development.

About the Role

The Asst./DGM – New Product Development will lead end-to-end NPD from ideation to commercialization, ensuring alignment with growth strategy, technical feasibility, operational scalability, and commercial viability. The role will collaborate closely with Plant, Quality, Procurement, Marketing, Sales, and Finance teams.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a structured NPD roadmap and pipeline (short/medium/long term), prioritizing by strategic fit, volume/value potential, and time-to-market
• Conduct market scans, competitor benchmarking, gap analysis, and VOC capture from key accounts, architects, contractors, and end users
• Analyze product usage, complaints, IS/international standards, and competitor products to drive improvements and new applications
• Convert approved concepts into detailed product briefs with technical specs, target costing, and positioning
• Collaborate with R&D/Technical/Plant teams on formulations, process parameters, lab/plant trials, specs, and testing protocols
• Prepare BOMs, process sheets, and technical documentation; lead cross-functional NPD project teams with charters, timelines, and risk registers
• Drive project reviews, costing/margin finalization with Finance/Procurement, and pricing strategy with Marketing/Sales
• Prepare business cases and ROI justifications for senior management approval
• Ensure full launch readiness: samples, demo kits, packaging compliance, training materials, and go-to-market execution
• Monitor post-launch performance; implement corrective actions and recommend SKU renovation, rationalization, or upgrades
• Maintain updated product dossiers, TDS, FAQs, and NPD dashboards/MIS for senior management
• Mentor junior team members and foster a culture of innovation

Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech – Mechanical / Production / Wood Technology / Chemical or related; PG with IWST/ICFRE/FRI; MBA/PGDM preferred

Required Skills

• 10–15 years overall in Product Development/Management/Technical Marketing
• Min. 5–7 years hands-on NPD experience in manufacturing/building materials, especially panel boards, solid surfaces, or décor surfaces
• Proven track record of concept-to-commercialization product launches and cross-functional project management

Preferred Skills

• Strong understanding of product design, process capability, plant trials, scale-up, costing, and profitability.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and ERP (SAP or similar).
• Excellent project management, stakeholder management, analytical, and communication skills.

Pay range and compensation package

• Location & Work Mode: Delhi Head Office | 6 days/week (Mon–Sat) | Up to 50% travel (plants, key markets, customers)