Women to Watch: Nidhi Basundhara of Jyothy Labs

Nidhi Basundhara, head of packaging development at Jyothy Labs, located in Mumbai, has been in the packaging design and development industry for around 24 years. Before Jyothy Labs, Basundhara held leadership positions at Quest Retail and Avon International.

Basundhara graduated in food technology from Delhi University, which introduced her to packaging early on. Learning about the Indian Institute of Packaging sparked her interest, she says, “That moment made me realise how dynamic and innovation-driven the print and packaging industry is.”

The packaging industry offered her a blend of creativity, technical depth, and societal impact. She reflects, “I saw it as a space where I could grow, contribute meaningfully, and help shape solutions that matter— functionally and sustainably.”

She shares that navigating a product packaging development career requires a blend of technical and field expertise and interpersonal finesse. “I have realised that while technical proficiency lays the groundwork, risk assessment, assertiveness, and clear communication are instrumental to drive ideas forward,” she says.

In an industry defined by agility, innovation and transformation, the development of humility and openness to listen, learn, and evolve has helped Basundhara advance in her career.

Basundhara highlights the importance of collaborating seamlessly across cross-functional teams, including research and development, marketing, and supply chain. According to her, cross-functional collaboration helps align priorities and deliver business results.

Looking ahead, Basundhara stresses keeping the environment at the forefront. “Our chairman and managing director, M R Jyothy, believes that sustainable development is the only way to sustain our business growth and secure the future generations,” she shares. “Every brand and product package developed here is an endeavour to minimise our carbon footprint," she continues.

Basundhara shares that Jyothy Labs is learning to adapt and commercialise technological advancements in packaging materials and machinery. 

She shares Jyothy Labs’ award-winning creations, including Ujala liquid detergent featuring a sustainable in-mould label that won the WorldStar 2024 award, and a sustainable commercial package for Maya Sambrani and Exo Dishwash bar that won the Sustainable Commercial Package ResPack 2025 award. 

Basundhara’s day-to-day within the leadership role consists of a balance of strategic thinking, technical expertise, and people management. She says, “My day starts by reviewing critical project statuses and key metrics. I prioritise urgent issues, including technical challenges, supply chain demands, and customer feedback, that need immediate attention.” Her day involves collaborating with cross-functional teams and engaging with external partners. This includes strategy meetings, brainstorming sessions aimed at solving design and material challenges, and commercial execution of the developments.

Basundhara notes that a key part of the day includes mentoring and supporting the team, ensuring the team’s professional development, and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning. She says, “Throughout, I balance immediate problem-solving with long-term planning, always keeping an eye on emerging industry trends and technologies to drive future-ready packaging solutions.”

The supply chain sector has traditionally been male-dominated, posing a challenge for women to speak up: “Early in my career, there were interactions where I hesitated to voice my ideas, fearing they might be overlooked. But I learned that speaking up is essential — for my growth and to change mindsets,” shares Basundhara.

She shares a quote by Indra Nooyi: “The only way women will have the power to make a difference is by helping other women.” She adds, “Every woman should live by it.”

She notes that helping women is not solely a woman’s responsibility: “I encourage male colleagues and leaders to actively foster inclusivity by valuing the unique perspectives and dedication women bring.” She highlights the importance of mentorship programs, flexible work policies, and open forums for dialogue.

Basundhara says, “When we combine the spirit of support with allyship from all genders, we can create a more balanced, innovative, and equitable industry for everyone.”

She adds that leadership in product packaging development involves balancing expertise with empathy: “Being confident enough to lead boldly yet humble enough to learn continuously.”

Basundhara concludes by quoting, “Everyone’s journey to success is unique—shaped by dreams, priorities, and circumstances. Embrace who you are, follow your passion, define success on your terms and create a life that’s authentically yours.”