The landscape of the Indian pet care industry currently one of the most explosive fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) categories in the country is bracing for a major leadership transition. Mars, Incorporated has officially announced the appointment of Manish Syag as the new Managing Director of its Pet Nutrition division in India.
Syag, a veteran of the FMCG sector with over two decades of leadership experience, steps into the role at a “defining moment” for the industry. He succeeds Salil Murthy, whose tenure saw significant market expansion and who has now been elevated to a global role as Vice President of Enterprise Transformation at the company’s London headquarters.
Manish Syag: A Leader Built for Scale
An alumnus of IIM Lucknow, Manish Syag is no stranger to the complexities of the Indian market. Before joining Mars in 2024 as Chief Sales Officer, he honed his expertise through senior sales leadership roles at giants like Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) and GSK Consumer Healthcare.
His appointment is a strategic move aimed at reinforcing Mars’ dominance in a market home to iconic brands like PEDIGREE, WHISKAS, and SHEBA. Syag’s roadmap for the business is clear: drive a “focused India Growth Agenda” by building world-class operational capabilities.
“India is at a defining moment for the pet food market, which is expected to grow into a USD 2 billion category in a decade,” Syag noted. “I am excited to lead the next phase of growth… serving pets and pet parents across the country with trusted, high-quality packaged pet food.”
The Murthy Legacy and the London Leap
Under Salil Murthy’s leadership, Mars Pet Nutrition India solidified its position as a market pioneer. Murthy’s elevation to Global Vice President, Enterprise Transformation reflects the success of the Indian business and the depth of talent within the region.
In his new London-based role, Murthy will oversee long-term transformation agendas for Mars Pet Nutrition globally, focusing on:
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Digital & AI Capabilities: Accelerating the company’s tech-forward transformation.
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Agile Operating Models: Building a simpler, faster, and more future-ready business.
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Global Growth: Unleashing the power of Mars associates across diverse markets.
A Market in Transformation
Mars Pet Nutrition has been the bedrock of the organized pet food category in India since the launch of PEDIGREE in 2002. In 2007, the company established India’s first-ever pet food manufacturing facility, a milestone that moved the industry away from traditional home-cooked meals toward nutritionally balanced, branded alternatives.
| Market Driver | Impact on Growth |
| Pet Humanization | Pets are increasingly treated as family members, increasing per-capita spend. |
| Urbanization | Rise in apartment living is driving higher ownership of small dogs and cats. |
| Awareness & Trust | Increasing consumer education on pet-specific nutritional needs. |
Today, India’s pet population has surged to over 31 million dogs and nearly 2.5 million cats. With the category projected to reach USD 2 billion within the next ten years, the leadership of Manish Syag will be pivotal in navigating the shift from niche luxury to a mainstream FMCG powerhouse.
By: Vanshika Tayal
