Product Development Manager

Role Objective:

Lead the Product Development function for Rugs, driving innovation, design alignment and market-focused product creation. This role requires strong coordination with Design, Production, Sales & Marketing teams to ensure timely development of commercially viable collections.

Key Responsibilities:

• Product Innovation & Development

• Lead the end-to-end product development process for all rug categories — hand-knotted, hand-tufted, flat weaves and hand-woven.
• Conceptualize new product ranges based on global design trends, market intelligence and customer insights.
• Collaborate with the Design Team to translate creative concepts into market-ready products.

• Market Alignment & Trend Analysis

• Regularly interact with Sales, Design and Suppliers to understand client needs and emerging market demands.
• Study global trend forecasts, participate in fairs/exhibitions and align product development strategy accordingly.

• Sample Development & Execution

• Oversee sampling, prototyping and development timelines with in-house teams and artisans.
• Monitor quality, cost parameters and technical feasibility during the product development cycle.

• Cross-Functional Coordination

• Act as a key liaison between Design, Production and Sales for new product launches.
• Ensure all new developments are aligned with Saraswati Global’s brand positioning and quality standards.

• Team Leadership & Development

• Manage and mentor the product development team.
• Foster a culture of creativity, collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Exhibition & Buyer Interaction

• Play an active role in showcasing new collections at exhibitions, market weeks and client meetings.
• Gather direct feedback from key customers for product refinement.

Desired Profile:

• Education:

  Graduate/Postgraduate in Textile Design, Product Development or equivalent.

• Experience:

  8–12 years in product development, preferably in rugs, carpets or home furnishings.

• Industry Exposure:

  Experience with export markets and premium/luxury product categories is preferred.

• Skills:

• Strong understanding of materials, techniques and rug manufacturing processes.
• Market & trend analysis capability.
• Leadership and team management.
• Effective communicator with cross-functional teams.
• Creative problem-solving approach.