Assistant Manager - Product Management

Job Description: Assistant Manager - Product Management

Department: Product Management

Reporting To: DGM - Product Management

Experience: Minimum 6 years

Product Categories: Plumbing

Qualification: MBA preferred; Engineering background preferred

Role Summary

Responsible for Product Management activities for the Projects Business, with focus on driving product specifications, consultant/customer approvals, project pipeline support, product solution development and new product opportunities.

The role will work closely with Projects Sales, Consultants, Architects, Developers, Contractors/EPCs and internal functions to ensure the right product solutions are specified and positioned across key projects. The incumbent will independently own assigned products/projects while assisting the DGM - Product Management in project portfolio strategy, NPD, business cases, pricing, competitor analysis and growth initiatives.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Project Specification & Approval ManagementWork with Projects Sales to drive product specifications and approvals with consultants, architects, developers, contractors, EPCs and institutional customers.Understand project-specific technical, application and compliance requirements and recommend appropriate product solutions.Prepare and maintain technical specifications, submittals, compliance statements, comparison sheets, certificates and other approval documentation.Track the status of product specifications and approvals across identified key projects.Support technical presentations, product demonstrations and clarification meetings with project stakeholders.Monitor competitor specifications and recommend actions to improve product acceptance and specification success. Project Pipeline & Opportunity ManagementWork closely with Projects Sales / Specification to review the project pipeline from identification/specification through approval, tendering and conversion.Track key projects, project stages, specified products, quantities, potential value, competitors and product-related actions.Identify product or specification gaps that could impact project conversion and coordinate timely resolution.Prioritise high-potential projects requiring Product Management intervention.Develop periodic dashboards on project pipeline, specifications, approvals, product opportunities and key actions.Analyse lost/deferred project opportunities from a product perspective and recommend corrective actions. Product Solution & Project Requirement ManagementEvaluate product requirements emerging from key projects and determine fit with the existing product portfolio.Identify opportunities for product modification, customisation, alternate specifications or new product development.Coordinate technical feasibility with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement and Supply Chain.Provide technical-commercial product inputs for project-specific opportunities.Facilitate product samples, trials, mock-ups, testing and customer/consultant evaluations where required.Track project-specific product requirements through development, approval and commercial readiness. New Product Development & Product GapsIdentify NPD opportunities based on project pipeline, consultant requirements, customer feedback, competitor offerings and emerging applications.Support development of product definition, technical requirements, market potential, target pricing, volumes and business cases.Coordinate cross-functionally to ensure NPD projects meet agreed technical, cost and timeline objectives.Support pilot projects/product trials and capture structured feedback.Monitor post-launch adoption in target projects and recommend necessary improvements. Market, Application & Competitive IntelligenceConduct regular interactions with consultants, architects, developers, contractors, EPCs and Projects Sales teams to understand changing market and application requirements.Benchmark competitor products on specifications, features, certifications, pricing, approvals and project references.Track changes in specifications, construction practices, applications, standards and customer requirements.Identify emerging product/application opportunities and competitive threats.Maintain structured competitor and project-market intelligence for management reviews. Technical-Commercial & Projects Sales SupportProvide product-related technical and commercial support to Projects Sales for key opportunities.Develop product comparison sheets, value propositions, technical presentations and application-specific selling tools.Support project-specific pricing analysis through competitor benchmarking, product costing and value positioning.Coordinate timely resolution of product-related technical issues affecting project conversion.Support exhibitions, technical seminars, consultant meets and other project-business engagement programs.

Support to DGM - Product Management

Assist The DGM - Product Management In

Projects Business product and specification strategyReview of project pipeline and identification of high-potential product opportunitiesConsultant/specifier engagement strategyProduct gap and competitive gap analysisNPD and innovation roadmapProject-specific customised product evaluationsMarket potential and business case developmentPricing, costing and profitability analysisIdentification of new applications and project segmentsManagement reviews and strategic presentationsCross-functional strategic projects and key initiatives

Candidate Profile

Experience & Qualification

Minimum 6 years of relevant experience in Product Management, Projects Business, Technical Marketing, Specifications, NPD or similar roles.Engineering qualification preferred; MBA/Postgraduate qualification will be an advantage.Experience in plumbing, sanitary, drainage, piping systems, building materials, construction products or other project-driven technical products preferred.

Key Competencies

Understanding of project sales lifecycle and specification-based businessConsultant/specifier and project stakeholder managementTechnical product and application understandingProject pipeline and opportunity analysisProduct specification and technical documentationNPD/Stage-Gate processTechnical-commercial and competitor analysisStrong Excel, PowerPoint and analytical capabilitiesStrong cross-functional coordination and project follow-upGood communication and presentation skillsHigh ownership and execution orientation

Languages: Fluent in English and working proficiency, Hindi; regional language proficiency will be an advantage.