Category Head - Market Research & Innovation

Description : We are searching for a visionary executive to join our leadership team as the Category Head Market Research & Innovation.

This pivotal role will define the future product and service portfolio by translating deep consumer insights and trend forecasting directly into a commercially viable, premium retail assortment.

The successful candidate will own the entire innovation lifecycle, driving multi-channel growth and maintaining brand dominance in the competitive luxury space.

Key Responsibilities & Strategic Strategic Innovation & White Space Identification

• Future-Ready Assortment : Develop and own the strategic 35 year innovation roadmap, ensuring the creation of a future-ready assortment that secures long-term market leadership.
• Whitespace Identification : Lead the definitive process for whitespace identification, using advanced analytics and primary research to uncover lucrative, untapped consumer needs across offline and digital ecosystems.
• Category Creation : Drive category creation and segmentation strategies, ensuring all new product and service lines reinforce the brand's sophisticated and premium positioning.
• Advanced Market Research & Consumer Insights
• Trend Forecasting : Oversee a sophisticated trend forecasting model, analyzing macroeconomic shifts, cultural movements, and premium consumer behavior to guide all R&D and product decisions.
• Deep Consumer Insight : Direct all qualitative and quantitative research initiatives, ensuring the delivery of deep, actionable consumer insights that inform product development, pricing, and retail experience design.
• GTM Strategy : Partner with Marketing, Merchandising, and Sales to define the Go-to-Market (GTM) strategy for all major launches, ensuring brand messaging aligns with consumer value perception.
• P&L Impact & Cross-Functional Leadership
• Commercial Viability : Ensure all innovation projects are filtered through a stringent commercial lens, driving profitable revenue growth and securing market share gains.
• Stakeholder Influence : Present strategic recommendations and innovation concepts to the Board and Executive Leadership, influencing major investment decisions and resource allocation.
• Team & Culture : Mentor and lead a high-performing team of Category Managers and Research Analysts, fostering a culture of data-driven innovation and commercial excellence.

Ideal Profile & Experience (Mandatory) : 15-20 years of progressive experience in Market Research, Innovation Strategy, or Category Management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.

(ref : iimjobs.com)