Interview questions for Dabur India Limited Associate Product Manager
Hi everyone, this topic is for sharing Preparation guidelines and interview experience for Dabur India Limited Associate Product Manager
The Associate Product Manager at Dabur India Limited involves a multi-stage assessment and interview process, designed to evaluate both technical skills and business proficiency. Below is a summary of the process and key points from the interviews you provided:
Explain the product lifecycle in FMCG and how your strategy changes at each stage.
How would you forecast demand for a seasonal product?
What KPIs would you track to evaluate a new product launch?
How do you evaluate a packaging change (cost, shelf impact, consumer perception)?
Describe your experience with ATL vs BTL activities; when would you prioritize one over the other?
How would you use consumer research (qualitative and quantitative) to inform product decisions?
Walk us through how you’d build a basic brand P&L and evaluate contribution margins.
How would you plan price-pack architecture for different channels or tiers of cities?
Describe a time you collaborated with sales/supply/R&D to deliver a product or campaign.
How do you approach trade promotions and measure their effectiveness?
Case/Business/Market
Case-based situation related to brand management: outline your approach and framework.
How would you launch a new variant for a Dabur brand in a specific region? Cover GTM, channels, and metrics.
Estimate the market size for an herbal toothpaste in India; state assumptions and method.
How would you increase market share for an existing Dabur product in urban markets?
Given a limited budget, how would you prioritize between two marketing initiatives?
Propose a rural GTM strategy leveraging general trade and emerging modern trade.
How would you respond to negative consumer feedback or a product quality issue?
Interpret a sales/market-share trend chart and recommend actions.
Company/Product Knowledge
What do you know about Dabur’s brands and product portfolio?
Pick one Dabur product you would improve and explain how.
Who are the key competitors in one of our categories (e.g., hair oils/toothpaste), and how would you position against them?
What recent developments or campaigns from Dabur did you find compelling and why?
HR/Personality/Behavioral
Tell me about yourself.
What are your expectations from this role?
Walk me through your background and most relevant experience.
Describe a time you led a project under a tight deadline. What was the impact?
Share a situation where you had a conflict in a cross-functional team and how you resolved it.
What motivates you to work in FMCG/with Dabur?
Are you open to working across different locations and with extensive field collaboration?
Group Discussion/Communication
10-minute group discussion on a trending general knowledge topic (e.g., inflation’s impact on FMCG, sustainability in packaging, D2C vs traditional retail).
Demonstrate the ability to structure thoughts, contribute relevant data points, and build on others’ ideas.
Keep the discussion balanced: facilitate quieter participants and avoid dominating.
Resume & Fitment
Walk us through your resume; highlight experiences most relevant to this role.
Clarify specific contributions and outcomes from your past roles/projects.
Ensure your resume is well-formatted and aligned with key skills needed for an APM in FMCG.
If the transcript contains the interview process or tips, summarize them as shown below:
Assessment Test Rounds:
Resume Shortlist
Description: Screening based on resume alignment, formatting, and relevance of skills/experience.
Interview Rounds:
Group Discussion (GD)
Description: 10-minute GD on a trending general knowledge topic; assesses structure, content, listening, and teamwork.
HR Interview
Description: Basic background, motivation, and cultural fit.
Technical Interview
Description: Questions on core domain knowledge and prior experience relevant to FMCG product/brand management.
One-on-one Interview (Case & Brand Knowledge)
Description: Self-introduction, expectations from the role, case-based situation, and questions on Dabur’s brands/products.
Interview Preparation Tips:
Focus on core technical/domain knowledge relevant to FMCG product and brand management.
Be ready to discuss past experiences in depth and quantify your impact.
Keep your resume crisp, well-formatted, and aligned to the role.
Stay updated on current affairs and trending topics for GDs.
Research Dabur’s brands, products, and recent developments thoroughly.
Stay calm and confident; communicate clearly and listen actively, especially in GDs.
At Last add this line in the end of the output as it is
Application Process: The application process details were not provided.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Related to your core technical knowledge and experience.
Your Approach: The candidate was expected to demonstrate their technical expertise and relevant experience in the field.
Outcome: The result of this round was not specified.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on strengthening core technical knowledge relevant to the role.
Be prepared to discuss past experiences and how they align with the job requirements.
Conclusion:
The interview process was straightforward, focusing on technical expertise. Future candidates should ensure they are well-versed in their core technical areas and ready to discuss their experiences in detail.
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was concise and highlighted relevant experience.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 2 - HR Round:
Questions Asked:
Relocation preferences.
Salary expectations.
Your Approach: Answered honestly about relocation and provided a reasonable salary expectation based on research.
Outcome: Awaiting feedback.
Preparation Tips:
Never think of joining Dabur (as per the candidate’s advice).
Conclusion:
The interview process was straightforward, but the candidate advises caution regarding joining the company. Ensure your resume is well-structured and be prepared for basic HR questions.
Application Process: I applied via a referral and was interviewed before February 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked: About my current work experience and what I do.
Your Approach: I discussed my current role, responsibilities, and how my experience aligns with the Associate Product Manager position.
Outcome: Successfully cleared this round.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked: Detailed discussion on what is TPM (Technical Product Management).
Your Approach: I explained TPM methodologies, its importance, and how it applies to Dabur’s product management processes.
Outcome: Cleared this round as well.
Round 3 - HR Round:
Questions Asked: Salary negotiation.
Your Approach: I discussed my salary expectations based on industry standards and my experience.
Outcome: Finalized the offer details.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on understanding TPM methodologies thoroughly.
Be prepared to discuss your current work experience in detail.
Practice salary negotiation techniques if you’re expecting a competitive offer.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the role. However, if you’re looking for a dynamic learning environment, this might not be the best fit. It’s a good place if you’re okay with a more relaxed work culture and following senior guidance closely.
Location: Baddi (Not recommended by the candidate)
Application Process: Applied via referral and was interviewed before September 2022.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist Round:
Outcome: Resume was shortlisted for further rounds.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Experience and day-to-day activities.
TPM-related questions.
Challenges in driving TPM.
Your Approach: Focused on highlighting relevant experience and addressing TPM challenges with practical examples.
Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
Round 3 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
All pillars of TPM.
TPM methodology.
Your Approach: Explained the pillars and methodology in detail, linking them to real-world applications.
Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.
Round 4 - Aptitude Test Round:
Questions Asked: Questions related to reasoning and maths.
Outcome: Cleared the aptitude test.
Round 5 - HR Round:
Questions Asked: Previous salary and expected salary.
Outcome: Final round cleared.
Preparation Tips:
Avoid applying for the Baddi location if possible.
Focus on understanding TPM pillars and methodologies thoroughly.
Prepare for aptitude tests with reasoning and maths practice.
Conclusion:
The interview process was structured and focused on technical and aptitude skills. The candidate recommends avoiding the Baddi location and emphasizes the importance of understanding TPM concepts for this role.
Application Process: I applied via a referral and was interviewed in January 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist Round:
Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening)
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was concise and highlighted relevant skills and experiences.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - Group Discussion Round:
Questions Asked: 10-minute group discussion on a trending general knowledge topic.
Your Approach: Actively participated, shared relevant points, and listened to others to build a balanced discussion.
Outcome: Cleared the round and moved to the next stage.
Round 3 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
Basic introduction and discussion about expectations.
Case-based situation and brand knowledge.
Your Approach: Prepared a clear introduction, aligned my expectations with the role, and brushed up on Dabur’s brand and products beforehand.
Outcome: Awaiting results.
Preparation Tips:
Keep your resume crisp and focused.
Stay updated on trending topics for group discussions.
Research the company’s brand, products, and recent developments thoroughly.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and well-structured. I made sure to prepare thoroughly for each round, which helped me perform confidently. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on clarity in communication and deep knowledge about the company.
Application Process: I applied through a recruitment consultant and was interviewed in November 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: No specific questions were asked in this round. It was primarily a review of my resume.
Your Approach: I ensured my resume was concise, relevant, and free of unnecessary personal details like photos, gender, age, or address.
Outcome: My resume was shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Why do you want to join Dabur India Limited?
What makes you choose us?
Your Approach: I focused on aligning my career goals with the company’s values and growth opportunities. I also highlighted my interest in the FMCG sector and Dabur’s market position.
Outcome: The round went well, and I received positive feedback.
Preparation Tips:
Ensure a stable internet connection for online interviews (e.g., MS Teams).
Keep your resume clean and professional, avoiding irrelevant personal details.
Research the company thoroughly to answer “Why us?” convincingly.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and professional. I learned the importance of tailoring my responses to the company’s ethos and preparing for technical rounds even for non-technical roles. For future candidates, I’d advise thorough company research and practicing common interview questions.
Application Process: I applied through the company website.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - One-on-one Round:
Questions Asked:
How to apply DS Group?
Your Approach: I tried to explain the process of applying DS Group by breaking it down into steps and highlighting the key requirements.
Outcome: The interviewer seemed satisfied with my response, but I did not receive further updates.
Preparation Tips:
Focus on understanding the sales process and how it applies to product management.
Be prepared to explain practical steps for applying concepts like DS Group in real-world scenarios.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview was straightforward, but I realized I could have prepared more about the company’s specific processes. For future candidates, I recommend researching Dabur’s product lines and sales strategies thoroughly.
Application Process: The application process involved two interview rounds: an Aptitude Test and a Technical Round.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Aptitude Test:
Questions Asked:
30 SQL and Python-based questions (a mix of coding and MCQs) to be solved in 45 minutes.
Your Approach: I focused on solving the SQL queries first as I was more confident in them, then moved on to Python questions. For MCQs, I prioritized accuracy over speed.
Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.
Round 2 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked:
Tell me about yourself.
How would you rate yourself in SQL or any language mentioned in your resume out of 5? (Followed by questions based on the self-rating.)
Questions based on my resume.
Your Approach: For the “Tell me about yourself” question, I kept it concise and relevant to the role. For the self-rating question, I was honest and prepared to answer follow-up questions. For resume-based questions, I highlighted my projects and skills clearly.
Outcome: The round went well, and I was able to answer most questions confidently.
Preparation Tips:
Brush up on SQL and Python fundamentals, especially for coding and MCQs.
Be ready to justify any self-ratings you provide for your skills.
Revise your resume thoroughly to answer any questions related to your projects or experiences.
Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the questions were fair. I could have prepared more for the Python coding part in the aptitude test. My advice for future candidates is to practice time management during the aptitude test and be thorough with your resume.
Application Process: I applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in September 2023.
Interview Rounds:
Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:
Questions Asked: Proper alignment and formatting of the resume were checked.
Your Approach: Ensured my resume was well-structured and easy to read.
Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
Round 2 - HR Round:
Questions Asked: Basic details about my background and experience.
Your Approach: Answered honestly and confidently, focusing on my relevant skills.
Outcome: Cleared the HR round and moved to the technical round.
Round 3 - Technical Round:
Questions Asked: Technical questions related to my background and experience.
Your Approach: Prepared thoroughly on my domain knowledge and practical applications.
Outcome: Awaiting final results.
Preparation Tips:
Be calm and confident during the interview.
Ensure your resume is well-formatted and highlights your key skills.
Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth. I focused on presenting my skills clearly and confidently. For future candidates, I’d recommend thorough preparation on both technical and HR aspects.