The first-ever definitive list recognizing exceptional people managers in India's manufacturing sector.
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Nominate Your Managers For India's First Manufacturing Leadership List
The First Definitive List for Manufacturing People Managers
Manufacturing has always celebrated operational excellence — safety records, production efficiency, quality standards. But the people managers who drive all of this from the ground up? They've never had a list of their own.
India's Top 50 in Manufacturing- Great Managers to Work With® List 2026 changes that. This is a dedicated, data-backed recognition list for people managers in the manufacturing sector — powered by team feedback.
Managers who make this list are evaluated through the same carefully designed methodology that powers the Great People Manager Study® — the Connect, Develop, Inspire© framework across 24 management behaviours. Only those who receive exceptional feedback from their own teams earn a place.
Industry-Exclusive
Not a general-purpose list. Built specifically for manufacturing — plant managers, shift leaders, operations heads, and every people manager on the floor.
Team-Feedback Driven
No nominations panels or jury votes. Managers earn their place based on confidential, validated feedback from their direct reports.
Inaugural Edition
This is Year One. The organizations that participate now get to define the benchmark for manufacturing leadership in India.
What Every Nominated Manager Gets
Whether They Make the List or Not
Every manager who participates receives a comprehensive assessment outcome — the list is the recognition layer on top.
24-Behaviour Manager Profile
A detailed profile across 24 management behaviours based on the Connect, Develop, Inspire© framework. A clear map of strengths and development areas.
Perception Gap Analysis
How does the manager see themselves vs. how their team sees them? This gap analysis — validated by HR — is one of the most powerful development tools available.
*250+ Actionable Nudges
Bite-sized, practical actions each manager can implement immediately — personalized to their specific gaps and strengths.
*Manufacturing Benchmarks
Compare against manufacturing-specific data for the first time. See where each manager stands relative to the best in the industry
*Managers Who Make the List Also Unlock
Recognition That Goes Beyond the List
Making the Manufacturing List opens doors to wider recognition across GMI's ecosystem.
Great Manager to Work With® Recognition
Managers on the list also earn the GMTWW® credential — recognized across the country as a mark of people management excellence.
Eligibility for India's Top 100
Top performers from this list become eligible for India's Top 100 Great People Managers™ — the most prestigious recognition for practising people managers.
Economic Times Feature
India's Top 100 Great People Managers™stand a chance to be featured in The Economic Times (print.)
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Simple Process. Validated Outcomes.
Registration & Participant Onboarding
Organizations register for the study and submit eligible managers for participation. HR/SPOCs are onboarded, and reporting structures are validated.
Self-Assessment Submission (Round 1)
Participating managers complete a self-assessment survey and provide relevant details.
Team Feedback Survey
Feedback is collected from all direct reportees and managed through reminders and response tracking. (Managers with fewer than 3 direct reportees are not eligible.)
Evaluation & Qualification
Responses undergo validity and reliability checks. Managers meeting the required score and validity thresholds qualify as Great Manager to Work With® and move to Round 2.
People Practices Submission (Round 2)
Qualified managers submit three people practices, which are evaluated using a behaviorally anchored rating scale.
Final Scoring &India's Top 50 in Manufacturing- Great Managers to Work With® List 2026 Selection
A 70% weightage from Round 1 (Team Feedback Survey) and 30% weightage from Round 2 (People Practice Submission) together determine the participant's score for getting featured in the List
Based on the final evaluation and representation criteria, managers may be selected for India's Top 50 in Manufacturing- Great Managers to Work With® List 2026.
Profiles, Insights & Final Recognition
Managers receive a Credible Manager Profile, learning access, and recognition outcomes, including potential inclusion in India's Top 50 in Manufacturing- Great Managers to Work With® List 2026. Final recognition is published on digital platforms.
Eligible Sectors
Open Across All Manufacturing Verticals
Automotive & Auto Components, Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences, Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Steel & Metals, FMCG & Consumer Goods, Cement & Building Materials, Electronics & Electrical, Textiles & Apparel, Heavy Engineering, Food & Beverage, Aerospace & Defence, Energy & Power
Nominate Your Managers
Get Your Managers on India's First Manufacturing Leadership List
Fill in your details and our team will reach out to walk you through the nomination process, timelines, and next steps.