Research and Development especially in the luxury and specialty consumer products sector needs to keep evolving with innovative designs and cutting edge technology.

Bharath P, our next pathbreaker, Project Lead – New Product Introduction (NPI) for Tanishq and Mia (Titan Company Ltd), manages the end-to-end product readiness from development to launch.

Bharath talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about being involved in a memorable project which was the launch of the POZE sub-brand, a stylish, affordable watch sub-brand from Sonata Watches (part of Titan), targeting fashion-conscious young adults with trendy designs.

For students, it is critical to develop strong soft skills—communication, people management, and relationship-building—while combining technical knowledge with practical exposure, process orientation, and an innovation mindset.

Bharath,  tell us what were your growing up years like?

I was born and brought up in Ootacamund (Ooty), a small and beautiful hill town. Growing up in such a calm and peaceful place helped me become more observant and curious. I often noticed how everyday things around me worked, which slowly built my interest in learning.

During my school days, I was a very good student in academics and enjoyed studying. I liked understanding concepts clearly and planning my work well.

After school, I chose Mechanical Engineering for my graduation. At that time, I didn’t have a very clear career plan. My thought process was simple:

 I liked practical subjects and problem-solving, so engineering felt like a good choice.

When I joined college, my interests expanded beyond academics. I developed a strong interest in communication, stage speaking, team coordination, and event management. I actively took part in organizing events and working with teams, which helped me grow in confidence and become comfortable working with people.

During college, I also slowly realized that I was more interested in products, not just theory—how a product is designed, developed, tested, and finally reaches customers. This understanding played an important role in shaping my future career direction.

I also play chess, which has strongly influenced the way I think. Chess taught me how to plan ahead, think strategically, and stay calm under pressure. I try to apply the same approach in my life and career—understanding the situation, planning my moves, and learning from every outcome.

Looking back, my journey shows that academics build a strong foundation, but skills like communication, teamwork, and strategic thinking help shape you into a confident person and a good professional.

What did you do for graduation/post graduation?

I completed my B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai and my PGDM in Marketing from Management Development Institute (MDI), Delhi.

What were some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Consumer Products?

My career choice was driven by my love for consumer products, an interest in doing new things, and the opportunity to interact with a diverse set of people. Leadership influence around me, along with my curiosity to understand how things work end-to-end, motivated me toward roles involving ownership and decision-making. I also enjoy technical problem-solving and working closely with cross-functional teams to convert ideas into practical, market-ready solutions

How did you plan the steps to get into the career you wanted? Or how did you make a transition to a new career? Tell us about your career path

I planned my career with a 5–10 year perspective, aiming for cross-category exposure, multiple roles, and a dynamic, process-oriented, and innovation-driven profile. I began in OEM business development for tooling, gaining a strong foundation in manufacturing, vendor management, and execution. I then moved to New Product Development for Sonata and Poze, where I handled end-to-end product development and cross-functional coordination. Currently, I manage New Product Introduction for Tanishq and Mia, overseeing product readiness from development to launch. Along the way, I continuously upskilled with Six Sigma, Product Management, and AI for Jewellery programs, strengthening my process orientation, product thinking, and adaptability. My love for people management, understanding operations and the retail front, and staying engaged through dynamic, ownership-oriented roles has consistently motivated me and shaped my career journey.

How did you get your first break?

My first break came when I joined as a Graduate Engineer Trainee in OEM business development for tooling. joined through TCE campus placement. Although my background was B.E in Mechanical Engineering, my initial role was a mix of technical and business exposure rather than a pure core engineering position.

This role allowed me to work closely with vendors and internal teams, understand manufacturing feasibility, and contribute to real projects early on. It gave me hands-on exposure to execution, problem-solving, and stakeholder management, which laid a strong foundation for my transition into new product development roles

When I joined, I was assigned a 4-month project in the Tooling Department focused on growing the OEM business. This gave me hands-on exposure to:

  • stakeholder and customer development,
  • lead generation,
  • preparing business proposals, and
  • understanding the commercial side of tooling operations.

This phase helped me look at manufacturing not just from a design perspective but from a business value and customer requirement angle, which became the foundation for my techno-functional shift.

After that, I was moved to the New Product Development (NPD) team to handle the Sonata brand. My tooling experience gave me a strong grasp of the technical aspects of watch engineering materials, processes, tooling constraints, and manufacturability. Because of this, I could interact effectively with design, engineering, vendors, and marketing teams, translating technical feasibility into product requirements.

Over time my role became more techno-functional bridging:

  • engineering & design,
  • vendor development,
  • cost & timeline management, and
  • market requirements.

While working in NPD, I realized my stronger inclination toward the marketing and business strategy side, which motivated me to pursue a part-time PGDBM from MDI to formally build my management and marketing capabilities.

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

Challenge 1: Coordinating across design, quality, sourcing, and merchandising during NPD. I addressed it by setting clear timelines, responsibilities, and regular check-ins.

Challenge 2: Managing multiple products and priorities across brands. I tackled this with a process-oriented approach and tracking dashboards.

Challenge 3: Keeping up with evolving skills and technology. I completed Six Sigma, Product Management, and AI for Jewellery programs to stay updated and apply learnings effectively.

Where do you work now? What problems do you solve?

I currently work in New Product Introduction (NPI) for Tanishq and Mia, managing the end-to-end product readiness from development to launch. I solve problems related to design feasibility, quality validation, vendor coordination, and timely product delivery. This role requires strong project management, cross-functional collaboration, problem-solving, and technical knowledge, which I acquired through hands-on experience in NPD, along with Six Sigma and Product Management certifications.

What’s a typical day like?

A typical day involves coordinating with design, merchandising, sourcing, and quality teams, tracking timelines, and resolving any bottlenecks. What I love most about this job is the combination of people management, understanding operations and the retail front, and driving innovative products from concept to launch.

How does your work benefit society?

My work in new product development and introduction contributes to society by creating quality, safe, and desirable consumer products that meet customer needs. By ensuring reliable processes, ethical sourcing, and innovative designs, I help deliver products that bring value and satisfaction to customers. Additionally, working closely with vendors and teams encourages skill development, employment, and efficient operations, indirectly supporting economic growth and community well-being

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!

A memorable project for me was the launch of the POZE sub-brand, which has been like my baby – “Poze” is primarily a stylish, affordable watch sub-brand from Sonata Watches (part of Titan), targeting fashion-conscious young adults with trendy designs

I was involved end-to-end from concept finalization, design coordination, vendor alignment, and quality checks to the timely launch—and seeing it grow into a ₹74 Cr brand with positive feedback from customers and internal teams makes this experience very close to my heart, reinforcing my passion for product development, cross-functional collaboration, and delivering tangible results

Your advice to students based on your experience?

My advice to students would be to stay curious, take ownership of your learning, and be open to exploring different roles. Focus on building a strong foundation, seek mentorship, and continuously upskill yourself to stay relevant. At the same time, develop strong soft skills—communication, people management, and relationship-building—while combining technical knowledge with practical exposure, process orientation, and an innovation mindset. Don’t be afraid to take on challenges, as they help you grow and shape a meaningful career.

Future Plans?

My future plan is to continue growing in product leadership roles, taking ownership of end-to-end product strategy and development across categories, while strengthening my skills in innovation, process optimization, and cross-functional leadership. With a view to expanding into the sales side, I aim to leverage my product knowledge and a strong focus on people and relationships to mentor teams, deliver real customer value, and contribute to building iconic brands and driving impactful business growth