Innovation Manager (Pune)

Job Title: Manager-Design & Development

Division/Company/Entity: ASSA ABLOY INDIA (Entity – SMI )

Location: Jamnagar

Department: Design & Development

Reports to: Head-Design & Development

Does this job have supervisory responsibilities? Yes

Region of reports:  Jamnagar

Position Summary

This person will be responsible to Design and develop new products based on customer needs and prototyping. The person will also closely work with internal and external key function stakeholders such as production, purchase team, quality and sales team for timely completion of assignment/Projects.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design Leadership:

• Oversee the entire design process for door locks, including mechanical and smart lock systems.

• Develop and manage design strategies that align with brand identity, user needs, and manufacturing capabilities.

2. Innovation and Concept Development:

• Research trends in door lock technology, materials, and design aesthetics.

• Ideate and prototype innovative lock solutions, focusing on security, functionality, and usability.

3. Project Management:

• Coordinate design projects, timelines, and deliverables to meet product launch schedules.

• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements for door locks.

4. Team Management and Collaboration:

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of product designers and industrial engineers.

• Work closely with engineering, production, and marketing teams to ensure design feasibility and market success.

5. Testing and Refinement:

• Oversee product testing for durability, performance, and user experience.

• Incorporate feedback from customers, stakeholders, and quality assurance teams into design iterations.

6. Cost and Resource Optimization:

• Optimize material usage and manufacturing processes to ensure cost efficiency without compromising quality.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 7+ years of experience in product design, with at least 3 years in a leadership role, ideally within the door lock or hardware industry.

• Relevant work  experience in design & development function of 7 – 13 years

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of design principles, CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD), and prototyping tools.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a keen eye for detail.
• Strong leadership and communication skills for team coordination and stakeholder engagement.

• Good knowledge of metallurgy and base metals like steel, ZINC, BRASS, SS and Aluminum etc.
• Good knowledge of Sheet Metal Press tools, Fixtures, Press shop, Machine shop, Plating, Painting and powder coating, Grinding and Buffing and Pressure Die Casting will be an added advantage.
• Functional understanding of production process.

Competencies:

• Ability to balance creativity with practical considerations such as cost, manufacturability, and user needs.

• Deep understanding of security mechanisms, mechanical systems, and modern aesthetic trends.

• Proven track record of launching successful products in a competitive market.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with sustainability practices in product design and manufacturing.

• Certification in project management (e.g., PMP) or design methodologies (e.g., Design Thinking).

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.

When you join Yale, we open doors for you
We’re trusted by millions of people every day to keep what’s important to them safe. Their home, family and belongings. Looking after our people is just as important to us.

When you join our Yale team, you’ll also be part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, the global leader in access solutions. You’ll have 61,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries. 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.

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