DGM - Creative & Design, Accessories

Responsibilities & Key Deliverables

Position Title: Deputy General Manager – Creative & Design, Accessories
Department: Mahindra Auto Accessories Team
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Role Overview

As part of the Mahindra Auto Accessories team, the Deputy General Manager (DGM) – Creative & Design will spearhead the creative vision and design strategy for apparel, luggage, and lifestyle merchandise. This role is central to shaping Mahindra’s adventure and lifestyle brand identity through distinctive product aesthetics, cohesive seasonal collections, and leadership of a multidisciplinary design team.

Key Responsibilities

• Creative Leadership

  • Lead creative direction for apparel, luggage, and lifestyle merchandise within Mahindra Auto Accessories.

  • Own and evolve the brand’s design language and aesthetics to reflect Mahindra’s adventure ethos.

• Seasonal Collections & Brand Alignment

  • Plan, design, and deliver seasonal collections that resonate with Mahindra’s lifestyle positioning.

  • Ensure consistency across categories and alignment with brand storytelling.

• Team Management

  • Manage and mentor apparel, luggage, and graphic design teams.

  • Foster a culture of creativity, innovation, and collaboration.

• Design-to-Production Collaboration

  • Partner with buying and procurement teams to streamline the design-to-production pipeline.

  • Oversee vendor sourcing, sample approvals, and production readiness.

• Market & Launch Execution

  • Track seasonal calendars and ensure timely launches in collaboration with marketing and retail teams.

  • Monitor consumer insights and competitor trends to keep collections relevant and competitive.

Experience

Experience & Qualifications

• 8–10 years of experience in fashion/lifestyle design, merchandising, or product development.

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Fashion Design, Textile Design, or related field.

• Proven experience in leading creative teams and managing multi-category collections.

• Exposure to adventure/outdoor lifestyle brands preferred.

Industry Preferred

Qualifications

Key Skills & Competencies

• Expertise in fashion/lifestyle design and brand direction.

• Strong capability in collection planning and seasonal execution.

• Proficiency in design tools (Adobe Illustrator and related software).

• Demonstrated team leadership and cross-functional collaboration.

• Commercial awareness of apparel, luggage, and lifestyle trends.

• Strong organizational and project management skills.

General Requirements

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We believe diversity fuels innovation and strive to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and included. Mahindra is an Equal Opportunity Employer, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds and ensuring fair consideration regardless of personal characteristics protected by law. We encourage diverse talent to apply and are committed to providing an accessible, inclusive experience for all candidates