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Category Head | Leading Paints Company

Mumbai Permanent View Job Description
An exciting opportunity to lead a premium category portfolio, driving growth, innovation, profitability, and market leadership. This role offers end-to-end ownership of category strategy, product development, pricing, and go-to-market execution.
  • Lead a premium category with full P&L ownership
  • Drive innovation and shape long-term business growth

About Our Client

Our client is a leading organisation within the paints and building materials sector, recognised for its focus on innovation, quality, and consumer-centric solutions. The company is on an ambitious growth trajectory and is investing heavily in premium category development, product excellence, and market expansion.

Job Description

  • Develop and execute the overall category strategy to drive growth, profitability, and market leadership.
  • Own the category P&L and deliver annual and quarterly volume, value, and margin targets.
  • Identify opportunities for new product development, portfolio expansion, and product enhancement.
  • Manage the complete product lifecycle from ideation through commercialization and successful market launch.
  • Conduct regular market analysis, consumer research, and competitive benchmarking to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
  • Build category awareness and preference among consumers, influencers, retailers, and contractors.
  • Define and execute strategies to improve category penetration, adoption, and market reach.
  • Establish structured processes for category management, innovation, and new product development.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution of category initiatives.
  • Develop and implement pricing strategies that balance competitiveness with profitability objectives.
  • Monitor promotional investments and marketing expenditures to maximise return on investment.
  • Provide strategic recommendations on regional pricing and portfolio management.
  • Champion sustainability initiatives and ensure compliance with product safety standards.
  • Support marketing campaigns, retail activations, influencer engagement programmes, and consumer-focused initiatives.

The Successful Applicant

  • Postgraduate qualification from a reputed institution.
  • 12-15 years of experience in category management, product management, or related commercial functions.
  • Prior experience managing premium or luxury product categories is highly desirable.
  • Proven track record of launching, scaling, and managing successful products.
  • Strong understanding of consumer behaviour, market dynamics, and category growth drivers.
  • Demonstrated expertise in P&L management, pricing strategy, and profitability optimisation.
  • Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Ability to translate market insights into actionable business plans.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership skills.
  • Strong communication and influencing abilities with experience working across multiple business functions.

What's on Offer

  • Opportunity to lead a strategically important and high-growth category.
  • End-to-end ownership across category strategy, product innovation, marketing, and commercial performance.
  • Significant visibility with senior leadership and key business stakeholders.
  • Fast-paced and entrepreneurial environment with substantial growth opportunities.
  • Competitive compensation and long-term career progression prospects.
Quote job ref
JN-082026-7087212

Job summary

Function
Sales
Sub Sector
FMCG & Consumer
What is your area of specialisation?
Industrial / Manufacturing
Location
Mumbai
Job Type
Permanent
Job Reference
JN-082026-7087212

Diversity & Inclusion at Michael Page

We don't just accept difference - we celebrate it. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply for this role and are committed to building inclusive, diverse workplaces where everyone can thrive. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.