Rohit Kumar
Home Care R&D Head
Bengaluru
Summary
I am a result-driven Research & Development professional with proven expertise in increasing Company Revenue and Profit through new Product Design / Innovation program leveraging novel, sustainable and toolbox technologies, value re-engineering, defining long-term technology roadmap leveraging R&D eco-system, integrating into Brand Strategic roadmap, and yielding stellar results for all stakeholders including compelling user experiences to drive adoption and retention.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Home Care R&D Head
Reliance Consumer Products Limited
07.2022 - Current
- Developed comprehensive portfolio of New Products for Home Care ,in line with emerging Consumer trends, across laundry, fabric conditioners, dish wash, floor cleaner, toilet cleaner, bathroom cleaner , glass cleaner, air fresheners with clear competitive edge vs leading market players. Launched 20+ products in last 3 years
- Future proof business by building long term Innovation roadmap leveraging wider ecosystem of advanced technology partners in Industry.
- Collaborated with Marketing and Sales leadership to have a " Design for Channel" strategy for Modern Trade i.e. Metro vs General Trade vs e-commerce
- Cultivated strategic alliances with Supply Chain extended network to ensure delivered product quality on shelf in line with design quality through Kaizen
Senior Product Development Manager
Unilever Skin Cleansing, Personal Care R&D
02.2021 - 07.2022
- Developed skin cleansing innovation formulations for implementation in 7+ markets by applying extensive consumer insights, preference drivers, and ensuring a cohesive product experience enhanced by innovative functional and sensorial technologies.logies.
- Led compliance of the product portfolio to EU regulations such as ECHA to ensure consumer safety.
- Conducted a comprehensive scoping of concentrated unit-dose products that lessen the plastic footprint and provide increased convenience to consumers.
- Set up Cost Effective program of size 100 million Euros + for Skin Cleansing platform in Personal Care by leveraging weight efficient technologies and optimizing Palm Oil based surfactants
Senior Technical Project Leader
Unilever Home Care R&D (Global Design Centre)
07.2014 - 01.2021
- Designed and deployed 5+ Global Innovation as Technical Project Leader in > 15 markets.
- Added to incremental T/O of 90 million Euros
- Enhanced Category Gross Margin by 180 basis points
- Landed new technologies such as Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, green surfactants Primary Alcohol sulfate, encapsulated fragrance (in-bloom and post wash retention on fabrics), anti-malodour fragrance technologies as part of Consumer preferred mixes.
- Created Detergent Powders Strategy and Technology roadmap and aligned with Senior Stakeholders leveraging Consumer voice in developing consumer centric product development
- Developed roadmap for concentrated unit dose products in plastic-free packaging while collaborating with extended R&D ecosystem including consultants and suppliers.
- Led a team of over 25+ managers and officers as the site leader of the Simplification and Margin Improvement department.
Product Development Manager
Unilever Home Care R&D (Asia Deploy)
01.2007 - 07.2014
- Led Cluster-centric Innovation program on local jewel brands such as Sunlight, India and Radiant, SEA. Landed winning mix with new technologies such as whiteness boosting enzymes, color protection Sodium Sulphite and encapsulated fragrance (Starch + Melamine)
- Led tactical projects aimed at establishing the superiority of UL products vs eyeball competitors through aggressive claims and knowledge based selling
Production Engineer
Indian Oil Corporation Limited
08.2004 - 01.2007
- Led start-up, normal operation, and scheduled shut down for Vacuum distillation unit as Shift In-charge and accountable for daily throughput.
- Developed training modules for operators and implemented Kaizen in the unit.
Education
MBA - Marketing, Operations & Supply Chain
N.M.I.M.S. Mumbai University
Mumbai, India04.2022
B. Tech - Chemical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology
Roorkee, India05.2004
Skills
- Soft Skills: Teamwork and collaboration, Communication, Stakeholder Management, Enterprising, Execution, Coaching
Websites
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Completed training in Project Management for Practitioners in 2011.
- Certified Manager as Coach from Reliance Retail Academy
- Published 5+ patents covering concentrated unit dose products, Water soluble film based laundry products
- Completed training program on Coaching skills and “Find your Purpose”.
Certification
Emotional Intelligence Course from Prosim
Timeline
Emotional Intelligence Course from Prosim
05-2023
Home Care R&D Head
Reliance Consumer Products Limited
07.2022 - Current
Senior Product Development Manager
Unilever Skin Cleansing, Personal Care R&D
02.2021 - 07.2022
Senior Technical Project Leader
Unilever Home Care R&D (Global Design Centre)
07.2014 - 01.2021
Product Development Manager
Unilever Home Care R&D (Asia Deploy)
01.2007 - 07.2014
Production Engineer
Indian Oil Corporation Limited
08.2004 - 01.2007
MBA - Marketing, Operations & Supply Chain
N.M.I.M.S. Mumbai University
B. Tech - Chemical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology