Director & Head of Specification - SAARC

Job Title: Director & Head of Specifications SAARC

Business Vertical: Specifications

Location: Pune

Reporting To: SVP & Managing Director (SAARC Region)

Division/Company: ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions India Pvt. Ltd.

Position Summary:

ASSA ABLOY is seeking a driven and result-oriented Director & Head of Specifications SAARC based in Pune. The incumbent will lead the Specification team, driving pre-sales activities including scheduling, technical support, key account management, pipeline creation, and conversion of specifications into orders. This role requires close collaboration with the existing Specification and Sales team, focus on strengthening capability, governance, and performance orientation, while ensuring effective use of tools such as Openings Studio and CRM.

Role & Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement specification strategy and processes aligned with business objectives.
• Drive Implementation of quote to cash process
• Build and nurture relationships with architects, end clients, PMCs, and government departments to establish a strong specification pipeline.
• Ensure specifications are incorporated into project tenders and converted into orders with sales team support.
• Promote the full ASSA ABLOY product portfolio, including Mechanical, Electromechanical, Automatics, Glass, Smart Residential Locks, and Digital Access Systems (DAS).
• Represent the company at industry events and support "lunch & learn" sessions to drive brand awareness.
• Ensure unique products are highlighted in specification submissions.
• Collaborate with front- and back-end teams for timely submission of specifications.
• Track performance and conversion rates through Openings Studio and CRM.
• Oversee governance of Openings Studio, including internal usage by the spec team and external adoption with architects (BIM).
• Engage with key decision-makers and influencers including distributors, architects, general contractors, and construction managers.
• Communicate value propositions effectively to customers and global stakeholders through proposals, presentations, and reviews.
• Monitor category-specific trends and market forces, providing insights on budget shifts and strategic directions.
• Build pre-sales capability within the specification team through product training, onboarding, and continuous development.
• Lead organizational planning to achieve financial, quality, and compliance targets.
• Recruit, motivate, and develop a high-performance team aligned with company culture and values.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Visionary leader who inspires teams to achieve results despite challenges.
• High integrity; open, transparent, and ethical in all dealings.
• Strong technical expertise in pre-sales process development.
• Operationally disciplined with a proactive, performance-driven approach.
• Action-oriented, results-focused, and persistent in overcoming hurdles.
• Team builder with a focus on employee growth and capability building.
• Clear communicator with the ability to present vision and context effectively.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with conceptual clarity.

Qualifications & Experience:

• BE/BTech Mechanical or equivalent degree
• Minimum 10 years of leadership experience post-qualification.
• Strong knowledge and interest in opening solutions (doors, windows, glass hardware).
• Willingness to travel extensively within India and neighbouring SAARC countries.
• Ability to work effectively in India, with local language proficiency and valid credentials.

Note: This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. Rather, it is intended only to describe the general nature of the job. Employee may be expected to perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

We are the ASSA ABLOY Group

Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces – physical and virtual – safer, more secure, and easier to access. 

As an employer, we value results – not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions – supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.

As we welcome new people on board, it's important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.