Program Manager - Essilor Experts

If you’ve worn a pair of glasses, we’ve already met.

We are a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames, and sunglasses. We offer our industry stakeholders in over 150 countries access to a global platform of high-quality vision care products (such as the Essilor brand, with Varilux, Crizal, Eyezen, Stellest and Transitions), iconic brands that consumers love (such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, Oliver Peoples, Vogue Eyewear and Costa), as well as a network that offers consumers high-quality vision care and best-in-class shopping experiences (such as Sunglass Hut, LensCrafters, Salmoiraghi & Viganò and the GrandVision network), and leading e-commerce platforms.

The VisilabGroup, part of the globally operating company EssilorLuxottica, is the No. 1 optician in Switzerland with the brands Visilab, Kochoptik, McOptic, and Linsenmax, and 170 stores.

Join our global community of over 190,000 dedicated employees around the world in driving the transformation of the eyewear and eyecare industry.

Discover more by following us on LinkedIn!

Your #FutureInSight with EssilorLuxottica

Are you willing to pioneer new frontiers, foster inclusivity and collaboration, embrace agility, ignite passion, and make a positive impact on the world? ​Join us in redefining the boundaries of what’s possible!​

Job Title: Program Manager – Essilor Experts

Location: Bangalore, India

If you've worn a pair of glasses, we've already met.

We are a global leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames, and sunglasses. We offer our industry stakeholders in over 150 countries access to a global platform of high-quality vision care products and world-renowned brands.

Join our global community of dedicated employees driving transformation in the eyewear and eyecare industry.

Your Role

Reporting to the Commercial Leadership Team, you will lead the Essilor Experts Program by driving partner engagement, premiumization, network growth, and business performance across key retail accounts. You will be responsible for strengthening the Essilor Expert ecosystem, creating value for partners, and ensuring sustainable growth while maintaining Essilor's competitive positioning within the optical industry.

Main Responsibilities

Program Strategy & Growth

• Define and execute the Essilor Experts roadmap aligned with category priorities such as Stellest, Myopia Management, and Premium Lenses.
• Identify opportunities to expand the Essilor Experts network through partner acquisition and market prioritization.
• Drive premium positioning and differentiation against competitors through innovative partner programs and value-added benefits.
• Develop and implement strategic initiatives to accelerate network growth and business performance.
  
  

Partner Performance Management

• Monitor and improve partner sell-out performance, product mix, and premium portfolio contribution.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) including revenue growth, category penetration, premium product contribution, and partner productivity.
• Conduct monthly and quarterly business reviews with sales teams and Essilor Expert partners.
• Identify performance gaps and drive action plans to improve business outcomes.

Program Design & Execution

• Design and manage partner tiering frameworks, incentive programs, loyalty initiatives, and recognition platforms.
• Lead the execution of strategic initiatives including:
  • Stellest & Myopia Management Programs
  • Premium Lens Initiatives
  • Consumer Activation Campaigns
  • New Product Launches
  • In-Store Branding & Visibility Program

• • Exclusive Partner Benefits & Early Access Programs
• Ensure consistent execution standards across all regions.

Training & Capability Building

• Identify capability development needs and implement training programs for Opticians, Eye Care Professionals (ECPs), and retail teams.
• Strengthen partner competencies in:
  • Myopia Management Consultation
  • Premium Lens Selling
  • Consumer Experience Excellence
• Collaborate with Medical & Professional Affairs teams to enhance clinical credibility and advocacy.

Marketing & Consumer Activation

• Drive local marketing activations including store branding, digital campaigns, and hyperlocal initiatives.
• Support partners with conversion tools such as visual aids, demo kits, selling guides, and communication materials.
• Enhance in-store customer experience through effective storytelling and engagement programs.
• Collaborate with Marketing teams to maximize campaign effectiveness and partner participation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales teams to drive execution and business performance.
• Partner with Marketing teams to deliver impactful campaigns and communications.
• Collaborate with Product teams to align portfolio strategies and product launches.
• Coordinate with Medical & Professional Affairs teams for training, advocacy, and capability-building initiatives.
• Ensure alignment among all stakeholders to achieve program objectives.

Analytics & Business Insights

• Monitor and analyze key business metrics including:
  • Diagnosis-to-Prescription-to-Conversion Funnel
  • Regional and Partner-Level Performance
  • Program Effectiveness and ROI
  • Product Mix and Premiumization Metrics
• Develop business insights and recommendations to improve network performance and customer engagement.

Program Governance

• Manage program budgets and monitor return on investment (ROI).
• Ensure compliance with program standards, partner eligibility criteria, and branding guidelines.
• Establish governance mechanisms to ensure consistent program execution across markets.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives based on partner feedback and business performance insights.

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 2–4 years of experience in Program Management, Category Management, Trade Marketing, Retail Operations, Sales Excellence, or Partner Development.
• Experience within Optical, Healthcare, FMCG, Retail, Consumer Healthcare, or Consumer Durables industries preferred.
• Exposure to channel management, partner engagement programs, or retail ecosystems is highly desirable.

Technical Expertise

• Strong understanding of retail performance management and partner engagement programs.
• Experience in program execution, sales enablement, and business performance tracking.
• Strong analytical capabilities with experience in dashboard reporting and performance analysis.
• Knowledge of premium retail and customer engagement strategies preferred.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong business acumen and analytical thinking.
• Excellent stakeholder and partner management capabilities.
• Program design and execution excellence.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.
• Ability to influence external partners and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
• High level of ownership, accountability, and execution focus.

Educational Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Commerce, Optometry, Healthcare Management, or related field.
• MBA preferred.

Languages

• Proficiency in English.
• Knowledge of regional languages is an added advantage.

What's in it for You?

• Opportunity to work on strategic growth initiatives within a global organization.
• Exposure to premium optical and healthcare retail ecosystems.
• Access to world-class learning and development platforms.
• Career growth opportunities across commercial, category, and program management functions.
• Collaborative and inclusive work culture with global exposure.

Recruiting Process

Our recruitment process may vary. If you are shortlisted, our recruitment team will guide you through the next steps of the hiring process.

Diversity & Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We celebrate diversity and provide equal opportunities to all employees regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that makes each individual unique.