Category Manager

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

The Category Manager leads strategy, innovation, and execution for Protective, Marine, and Powder coatings. Collaborates cross-functionally to drive portfolio growth, brand building, and operational excellence. With ~30% travel, stays closely connected to market needs, translating insights into relevant solutions that enhance profitability and strengthen competitive market positioning.

This position is based at Mumbai and will reporting to Marketing Head.

Responsibilities:

1. Category & Portfolio Strategy

2. Lead development of category strategy and positioning for Protective Marine and Powder coatings for Jotun India, in line with global and regional business priorities.

3. Analyse market trends, customer needs, and competitor activity to identify opportunities and gaps to continually identify new areas of growth.

4. Work closely with sales on portfolio, pricing and go-to-market strategies for the segment.

5. Innovation & NPD (New Product Development)

6. Lead the innovation and product development pipeline in collaboration with R&D and regional category teams.

7. Define business cases, market entry strategies, and commercialization plans for new launches.
8. Drive customer-centric innovation with clear value propositions.

9. Own project management for all innovations, launches and product transitions in market.

10. Events & Communication

11. Work closely with regional communications to build relevant communication plan including PR, collaterals, sales enablers and content library for our portfolio in India.

12. Lead execution of events, trade shows, seminars, and exhibitions to strengthen Jotun brand and ensure meaningful participation.

13. Business & Operational Management

14. Partner with Sales to support key accounts, projects, and business development initiatives. Be the liaison between Sales, Technical Service, R&D and other functions to aid right certification and documentation.

15. Manage day-to-day operational tasks including new shade development, pricing approvals, marketing material dispatch and delivery, purchase order and invoices and portfolio lifecycle management.

16. Cross-functional Leadership

17. Work closely with Sales, Supply Chain, R&D, Technical Service, and Finance teams to ensure seamless execution.

18. Liaise with regional/global marketing teams in bringing strategy to execution and driving the Category innovation plans at local level.

19. Own the planning and utilization of marketing budget in line with aligned activities for the year.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR AND WHAT WE OFFER

Qualifications:

• MBA / Master's degree in Marketing, Business, or relevant field; Engineering or Chemistry background preferred.
• 6–10 years of experience in B2B Marketing, Category/Product Management, or Business Development, ideally within paints, coatings, chemicals, or adjacent industrial sectors.
• Marketing acumen with a growth mindset to lead strategic direction and translate the same into sharp execution plans.
• Strong track record of managing product portfolios, innovation projects, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience in Protective, Marine, or Industrial coatings is highly desirable.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic thinking with ability to translate into actionable plans.
• Strong project management and execution discipline.
• Excellent analytical skills and commercial acumen.
• Influencing and stakeholder management across multiple levels and geographies.
• Strong communication, presentation, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrix, and global environment.
• Adheres to company rules and procedures; executes plans with commitment and determination; achieves high quality results.

What We offer

• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• Continuous learning opportunities and training activities through on-the-job training and our in-house learning.
• Career development opportunities across multiple disciplines and geographies.
• Leaders who focus on engaging and enabling their team, proven by consistently high employee feedback scores.
• A supportive and inclusive company culture where you can be your authentic self.
• A focus on having fun together through team buildings and social activities

POSITION INFORMATION

Company:

Jotun India Private Limited

Contract Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

CLOSING DATE ):

WHO WE ARE

Jotun's story in the MEIA region (Middle East, India and Africa) began in 1962, and has grown to include 18 legal entities committed to achieving success and growth of the Jotun Group. Throughout our history, we have focused on providing our employees with meaningful and challenging work, rewarding them through continued learning and development, underpinned by our values of Loyalty, Care, Respect and Boldness.Jotun India Private Ltd., established in 2006, is one of the key markets within the MEIA region. With a production a facility, warehouse and more than 400+ employees, we aim to further strengthen Jotun's position in India through ambitious market growth plans that focus on innovation, efficiency and profitability.

Visit our

Career Page

to know more about life at Jotun.

Jotun's company culture welcomes and values differences in people. Our more than 10,200 employees on all continents represent 90 nationalities, four generations and diversity of professions, gender, abilities, ethnicities, beliefs, cultures etc. We are committed to represent the societies we operate in, promoting equality, equity and zero-tolerance for discrimination.

If you are applying to a position and require any additional support in the interview process, please let us know how we can accommodate this.

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