FM views Product road map as core of its strategy. But FM intends to go beyond just scouting, procuring and force fitting the existing product line into its distribution platform. The traditional wisdom of choosing product line merely on the basis of cost-benefit analysis and tactful vendor management may not be enough for FM to succeed. FM wishes to establish data centric approach of decision making with respect to Product road map and Product-market fitment. Large amount of data and information available within FM system and data gathered through market intelligence and pilot testing needs to be converted into insights on ‘Product-Market fit’ leading to a Product road map.

The role of Product manager at FM has been envisaged to enable FM in scientific approach towards Product selection, intelligent identification of like-minded product partner (vendor/OEMs) and data centric Product management to ensure market acceptance.

Product head- Home appliance category should be performing following functions

1. Has the prime responsibility of translating FM’s vision into actionable through Product strategy comprising Product roadmap, Product Sourcing, Product promotion and Product management.
2. Has responsibilities to manage Product from concept, to design, sample procurement, Sample testing, mass procurement, Product promotion and market activation support.
3. Has to act as central hub for critical information about products, market, competitors, customers, prospects, key industry analysts, and many other constituencies. Should be able to convey “why” is he building a product/product line
4. Should continually gather and analyze data and business intelligence from all relevant sources- external & internal- and use this data to inform the evolution of product roadmaps.
5. Should be able to attract product partnership on most favourable terms with a right balance between short, medium and long terms priorities of the organization.
6. Should be able to design, administer and enforce a mutually agreeable contract with product partners and all other vendors.
7. Should work closely with operations and logistics team to create seamless Supply chain from OEMs/ Product partners to last mile.
8. Should assist customer service to design and implement operational module for effective post sales customer servicing
9. Should be able to design operational plan with respect to rural market entry and subsequent scale up
10. Should be able to take up field research to Design high impact Market activation and Demand generation strategies and corresponding operational module.
11. Should design skill building module for last mile team of channel partners and frontline staff to enable them to create ‘customer pull’ towards embedded value proposition of the product line.
12. Should assist Data centre in gathering and disseminating information leading to engagement, education and experience of customers as well as last mile channel partners.

1. A Product management professional with 10+ years of experience in home appliance category with evidence of success in their previous assignments may be an ideal candidate. Evidence of success implies that there is evidence of establishing a category within a new customer segment or new territory. The success should be the result of initiatives around market development strategy, Skilling and data centric decision making leading to ‘Customer Pull’.
2. Well versed with market dynamics of Home appliance category
3. Hands on knowledge about vendors and OEMs in home appliance category across country
4. Conversant with the tricks of trade, margins corresponding to each SKU to derive a favourable contract
5. Evidence of demonstrated capability in market development of a new category or a new territory. Preferably in semi urban/ rural market

• Demonstrated ability of ‘Negotiation’ to win favorable contracts
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to lead and handle multiple time-sensitive, cross-functional initiatives
• Should be effective communicator- Oral as well as written
• Collaborative- should feel comfortable in the mid of cross functional team dealing with multiple priorities
• Hard core Prioritizer- should be able to drive organization to rally around right set of priority. Should have the ability to distance himself from impulsive decisions
• Tolerance for ambiguity- should be willing to deal with ambiguity emerging out of competing priorities and inefficient business models
• Should believe that Startups can solve complex problems and create impact
• Professionals who believe that success is outcome of ensuring availability of product with large number channel partners may not be a right fit for this role.
• Should have a good understanding of project management and willingness/ability to work with multiple stakeholders
• Willingness to work irregular hours when the job dictates (such as for events, in emergency response times etc.