Job Description

Company: Pidilite Industries Limited
Position Title: Head - Operations & Litigations
Location: Mumbai
Reports To: Head - Legal / General Counsel
Team Size: 2 Direct Reports + External Legal Partners
Experience: 15+ Years in In-House Legal Roles (preferably in large manufacturing or FMCG corporations)
Purpose of the Role
The Head - Operations & Litigations will serve as a strategic legal partner to business functions including Operations, Sales & Marketing, and HR, while leading the organization's legal responsibilities in Litigation & Dispute Management, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), and Compliance.
The incumbent will play a critical role in risk management by providing business-focused legal solutions, ensuring compliance across operational and commercial activities, and safeguarding the organization's interests in both organic and inorganic growth initiatives.
Areas of Legal Expertise
Manufacturing Laws
Distribution & E-Commerce Laws
Competition Laws
Advertising & Marketing Laws
Employment & Labour Laws
Working Knowledge of Financial and Environmental Laws
Key Responsibilities
1. Litigation & Dispute Management
Develop and implement a Litigation and Dispute Resolution Strategy to ensure cost-effective and timely resolution of disputes, including out-of-court settlements.
Lead IT enablement by developing and monitoring databases, SOPs, and MIS for domestic and international litigations.
Manage cases across diverse legal areas -- IPR, Recovery, Criminal, Consumer, and Advertising -- before courts, quasi-judicial, and self-regulatory bodies.
Ensure timely initiation of litigations as per FFS module processes.
Advise on IPR registration, protection, and enforcement strategies.
Conduct review meetings with internal teams and external counsel to monitor case progress and identify process improvements.
Oversee engagement, performance, and cost management of external law firms, senior counsels, and legal advisors.
2. Legal Compliance for Operations
Ensure end-to-end legal compliance across all areas of business operations.
Oversee adherence to laws applicable to manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain operations.
Manage the Online Compliance Tool and prepare periodic reports for senior management on compliance status.
Identify legal and compliance gaps; ensure timely remediation in collaboration with business stakeholders.
Drive awareness and training programs on legal compliance and regulatory updates for internal stakeholders.
Implement and manage Competition Law Compliance Programs; serve as a subject matter expert for competition law risk.
Maintain and update a consolidated repository of applicable laws and regulations in India and international jurisdictions.
3. Business Partnering & Legal Advisory
Act as a strategic business partner, engaging with divisions to proactively identify legal risks and provide solutions that support business continuity.
Provide day-to-day legal advice to Operations, Sales & Marketing, HR, and Advertising teams.
Develop and implement structured processes for legal clearances and approvals across business functions.
Advise on and resolve legal queries for allocated business divisions and functions in a timely and practical manner.
Collaborate closely with the IPR and Contracts Teams to ensure alignment of legal deliverables with business needs.
Conduct proactive site and unit visits to identify legal risks and opportunities.
Represent Legal in cross-functional projects and organizational initiatives.
Continuously develop expertise in emerging areas of law relevant to business growth.
4. Team & Talent Management
Manage a small team of in-house legal professionals and a network of external legal experts.
Contribute as part of the Legal Leadership Team to drive transformational initiatives for process improvement and IT enablement.
Mentor and nurture legal talent, focusing on capability building, performance, and career development.
Foster a culture of collaboration, excellence, and accountability within the Legal function.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Reduction in litigation costs and turnaround time for dispute resolution.
Implementation and adoption of legal IT tools (Database, MIS, Compliance Portal).
Timely and effective management of compliance across units.
Improved stakeholder satisfaction through proactive legal partnering.
IPR protection and enforcement effectiveness.
Process standardization and governance across legal operations.
Required Skills & Competencies
Strong understanding of Manufacturing and Distribution Laws and regulatory frameworks.
Proven expertise in Litigation Management and Dispute Resolution.
In-depth experience with IPR and Competition Law.
Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
Strong business acumen with ability to balance legal rigor and commercial pragmatism.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated capability to lead, mentor, and manage internal and external teams.
High degree of integrity, judgment, and professional ethics.
Other Requirements
Willingness to travel extensively across company units and attend court proceedings when required.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment.
Education
LL.B. (Mandatory)
LL.M. or MBA in Business Law / Corporate Law (Preferred)

Skills Required