Manager - Onboard Experience(Product)

Job Description

Department: Onboard Experience
Location: Gurugram, HO
Reporting To: Associate Vice President – Onboard Experience

The Manager – Gustatory & Olfactory Experiences will lead the strategy, innovation, and execution of branded food and scent-based experiences onboard. This role is distinct from traditional catering and menu development, focusing instead on curating premium, branded, and sensorial offerings that elevate the passenger journey. The ideal candidate will blend consumer insight, product innovation, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver memorable and differentiated onboard experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Product Innovation & Strategy

• Serve as a thought leader for the design and development of branded food and olfactory experiences across all cabin classes.
• Develop a strategic roadmap for gustatory and olfactory offerings aligned with brand positioning and customer expectations.
• Conduct market research (primary, secondary, tertiary) to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities in the sensory experience space.
• Understand regional and global consumer preferences to curate offerings that resonate across diverse passenger segments.

Experience Design & Development

• Lead the development and launch of new branded food products (e.g., snacks, beverages, treats) and scent-based experiences (e.g., cabin fragrances, amenity scents).
• Collaborate with brand partners, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure quality, consistency, and innovation.
• Write user stories and product briefs that clearly define goals, customer impact, and success metrics.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Present and defend concepts to senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Communicate project updates, insights, and outcomes through clear, concise presentations and reports.
• Coordinate with Procurement, CX Insights, Marketing, and Operations to ensure seamless execution and alignment.

Performance Monitoring & Optimization

• Track qualitative and quantitative performance of offerings using feedback, usage data, and operational metrics.
• Recommend enhancements based on insights, feasibility, and brand alignment.
• Maintain records of RFPs, CBAs, supplier evaluations, and product trials.

Project & Process Management

• Manage cross-functional development across Agile teams, ensuring timely and goal-aligned execution.
• Ensure timely feedback and direction to vendors and procurement teams.
• Support the preparation of high-quality presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Product Design, Hospitality, Sensory Science, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 7–9 years of experience in consumer-focused product and service development.
• Minimum 5 years in product innovation, preferably in experience curation within hospitality, aviation, or luxury services.
• Experience working with branded food products and/or olfactory design is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of sensory design principles, usability, and customer experience.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment