Role Purpose
The Manager – Tile Design will lead the development of innovative, market-driven ceramic tile collections that strengthen the company's product portfolio and brand positioning. The role is responsible for driving design excellence, overseeing the end-to-end design lifecycle, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure commercially successful and technically feasible product launches while fostering a culture of creativity and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
1. Design Strategy & Product Development
- Develop and execute the design roadmap aligned with business objectives, customer preferences, and market trends.
- Lead the conceptualization and creation of innovative tile collections for floor, wall, outdoor, and specialty applications.
- Drive product differentiation through unique textures, finishes, patterns, colors, and surface innovations.
2. Innovation & Trend Research
- Monitor global and domestic design trends, consumer preferences, architecture, and interior design developments.
- Conduct competitor benchmarking and market research to identify emerging opportunities.
- Translate market insights into commercially viable product concepts.
3. Design Team Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of designers and design coordinators.
- Establish creative standards, design processes, and quality benchmarks.
- Foster a collaborative and innovation-driven work environment.
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with R&D, Production, Quality, Marketing, Sales, and Procurement teams to ensure design feasibility and timely commercialization.
- Support new product launches by providing technical design inputs and marketing-ready design presentations.
- Coordinate with manufacturing teams to optimize design implementation without compromising aesthetics.
5. Design Quality & Process Excellence
- Ensure consistency in color matching, digital printing accuracy, glazing effects, textures, and surface finishes.
- Review prototypes and production samples to maintain design integrity throughout manufacturing.
- Implement best practices in design governance and continuous improvement initiatives.
6. Design Presentation & Stakeholder Management
- Prepare concept boards, mood boards, design presentations, and product stories for leadership reviews.
- Present design concepts and recommendations to senior management and key stakeholders.
- Support customer presentations for strategic projects when required.
7. Technology & Digital Design
- Leverage digital design technologies and visualization tools to enhance design efficiency.
- Stay updated on advancements in ceramic printing technology, AI-assisted design tools, and surface engineering techniques.
- Promote digital innovation within the design function.
Role Specifications
Educational Qualification
- Bachelor's Degree in Design, Fine Arts, Ceramics, Architecture, Industrial Design, or a related discipline.
- Master's degree or specialization in Design Management will be an added advantage.
Experience
- 8–15 years of experience in ceramic tile design, surface design, or product development.
- Proven experience in leading design teams and managing multiple design projects simultaneously.
- Experience in premium, large-format, GVT, PGVT, or specialty tile categories will be preferred.
Technical Knowledge
- Strong understanding of ceramic tile manufacturing processes, digital printing, glazing technologies, firing processes, and surface finishing.
- Hands-on experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, CAD software, and 3D visualization tools.
- Knowledge of color management systems, texture development, and print technology.
Desired Candidate Profile
- Creative professional with a strong aesthetic sense and commercial mindset.
- Passionate about innovation and design excellence.
- Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
- Excellent project management and stakeholder management skills.
- Analytical thinker with the ability to convert market insights into successful product offerings.
- Effective communicator with strong presentation and influencing skills.
- Adaptable to a fast-paced and dynamic manufacturing environment.
Key Competencies
Technical Competencies
- Ceramic Tile Design & Surface Development
- Digital Printing Technology
- Glazing & Surface Finishing
- Color Science & Texture Development
- CAD & 3D Visualization
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Product Lifecycle Management
- Prototype Evaluation
- Design Quality Assurance
- Manufacturing Process Understanding
Functional Competencies
- Product Development
- Design Strategy
- Trend Forecasting & Market Research
- Portfolio Management
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Project Management
- Innovation Management
- Product Commercialization
- Design Review & Validation
Business Competencies
- Customer-Centric Product Development
- Commercial Awareness
- Competitive Analysis
- Strategic Thinking
- Brand Building
- Business Acumen
- Market Orientation
- Cost Optimization
- Process Improvement
Leadership Competencies
- Team Leadership
- Talent Development & Coaching
- Decision Making
- Change Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Collaboration & Influence
- Strategic Vision
- Performance Management
Behavioural Competencies
- Creativity & Innovation
- Problem Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Ownership & Accountability
- Learning Agility
- Adaptability
- Effective Communication
- Collaboration
- Result Orientation
- Continuous Improvement Mindset
Success Metrics
- Timely launch of new tile collections aligned with market demand.
- Number of successful product innovations introduced annually.
- Improvement in product acceptance and sales contribution from new designs.
- Reduction in design-to-production cycle time.
- Design quality compliance and first-time-right implementation rate.
- Stakeholder satisfaction across R&D, Production, Marketing, and Sales.
- Team capability development and engagement.
- Contribution to brand differentiation through innovative and commercially successful designs.