Head - Legal Ops & Litigation

Company Pidilite Industries Limited Position Title Head - Operations Litigations Location Mumbai Reports To Head - Legal General Counsel Team Size 2 Direct Reports External Legal Partners Experience 15 Years in In-House Legal Roles preferably in large manufacturing or FMCG corporations Purpose of the Role The Head - Operations Litigations will serve as a strategic legal partner to business functions including Operations Sales Marketing and HR while leading the organization s legal responsibilities in Litigation Dispute Management Intellectual Property Rights IPR and Compliance The incumbent will play a critical role in risk management by providing business-focused legal solutions ensuring compliance across operational and commercial activities and safeguarding the organization s interests in both organic and inorganic growth initiatives Areas of Legal Expertise Manufacturing Laws Distribution E-Commerce Laws Competition Laws Advertising Marketing Laws Employment Labour Laws Working Knowledge of Financial and Environmental Laws Key Responsibilities 1 Litigation Dispute Management Develop and implement a Litigation and Dispute Resolution Strategy to ensure cost-effective and timely resolution of disputes including out-of-court settlements Lead IT enablement by developing and monitoring databases SOPs and MIS for domestic and international litigations Manage cases across diverse legal areas IPR Recovery Criminal Consumer and Advertising before courts quasi-judicial and self-regulatory bodies Ensure timely initiation of litigations as per FFS module processes Advise on IPR registration protection and enforcement strategies Conduct review meetings with internal teams and external counsel to monitor case progress and identify process improvements Oversee engagement performance and cost management of external law firms senior counsels and legal advisors 2 Legal Compliance for Operations Ensure end-to-end legal compliance across all areas of business operations Oversee adherence to laws applicable to manufacturing distribution and supply chain operations Manage the Online Compliance Tool and prepare periodic reports for senior management on compliance status Identify legal and compliance gaps ensure timely remediation in collaboration with business stakeholders Drive awareness and training programs on legal compliance and regulatory updates for internal stakeholders Implement and manage Competition Law Compliance Programs serve as a subject matter expert for competition law risk Maintain and update a consolidated repository of applicable laws and regulations in India and international jurisdictions 3 Business Partnering Legal Advisory Act as a strategic business partner engaging with divisions to proactively identify legal risks and provide solutions that support business continuity Provide day-to-day legal advice to Operations Sales Marketing HR and Advertising teams Develop and implement structured processes for legal clearances and approvals across business functions Advise on and resolve legal queries for allocated business divisions and functions in a timely and practical manner Collaborate closely with the IPR and Contracts Teams to ensure alignment of legal deliverables with business needs Conduct proactive site and unit visits to identify legal risks and opportunities Represent Legal in cross-functional projects and organizational initiatives Continuously develop expertise in emerging areas of law relevant to business growth 4 Team Talent Management Manage a small team of in-house legal professionals and a network of external legal experts Contribute as part of the Legal Leadership Team to drive transformational initiatives for process improvement and IT enablement Mentor and nurture legal talent focusing on capability building performance and career development Foster a culture of collaboration excellence and accountability within the Legal function Key Performance Indicators KPIs Reduction in litigation costs and turnaround time for dispute resolution Implementation and adoption of legal IT tools Database MIS Compliance Portal Timely and effective management of compliance across units Improved stakeholder satisfaction through proactive legal partnering IPR protection and enforcement effectiveness Process standardization and governance across legal operations Required Skills Competencies Strong understanding of Manufacturing and Distribution Laws and regulatory frameworks Proven expertise in Litigation Management and Dispute Resolution In-depth experience with IPR and Competition Law Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills Strong business acumen with ability to balance legal rigor and commercial pragmatism Exceptional written and verbal communication skills Demonstrated capability to lead mentor and manage internal and external teams High degree of integrity judgment and professional ethics Other Requirements Willingness to travel extensively across company units and attend court proceedings when required Ability to work in a fast-paced multi-stakeholder environment Education LL B Mandatory LL M or MBA in Business Law Corporate Law Preferred