Department - Operations

Reporting To - Managing Director

Reportees All HODs except HR, Finance, Sales & Marketing. Research & Development, and Quality (Administratively)

Purpose of the Role

- To provide strategic leadership and overall operational excellence for the API & CDMO business by driving Manufacturing, Projects, Procurement, Planning, Administration, functions.
- The role is responsible for translating strategic vision into actionable plans by ensuring operational efficiency, business growth, profitability, timely project execution, regulatory compliance, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities : -

Strategic Leadership : -

- * Develop and execute the operational strategy aligned with the organizations business objectives.
- * Drive operational excellence, productivity improvement, cost optimization, and sustainable growth.
- * Build a high-performance culture focused on quality, compliance, safety, and customer satisfaction.
- * Lead organizational transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Manufacturing Operations : -

- * Provide end-to-end leadership of API manufacturing operations.
- * Ensure achievement of production targets while maintaining GMP, safety, quality, and cost objectives.
- * Improve plant productivity, capacity utilization, yield, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
- * Ensure uninterrupted manufacturing through effective cross-functional coordination.

Projects & Engineering : -

- * Lead greenfield, brownfield, expansion, debottlenecking, and technology upgradation projects.
- * Ensure timely completion of CAPEX projects within approved budgets.
- * Drive automation, digitalization, and operational efficiency initiatives.

Procurement & Supply Chain : -

- * Oversee procurement of APIs, raw materials, solvents, engineering items, and CAPEX requirements.
- * Develop strategic sourcing initiatives to optimize costs and ensure uninterrupted material availability.




- * Strengthen supplier relationships and mitigate supply chain risks.

Production Planning & Inventory Management : -

- * Ensure effective production planning to meet customer commitments.
- * Optimize inventory levels while maintaining continuity of operations.
- * Coordinate with Sales, Commercial, Manufacturing, and Procurement teams for demand fulfillment.
- Research & Development
- * Ensure seamless coordination between R&D; and manufacturing for successful product launches.

Quality & Regulatory Compliance : -

- * Provide strategic oversight of Quality Assurance and Quality Control.
- * Ensure compliance with cGMP and global regulatory requirements including USFDA, EU GMP, MHRA, WHO-GMP, PMDA, and other international standards.
- * Lead regulatory inspections, customer audits, and corporate quality initiatives.
- * Foster a strong quality culture across the organization.

Administration & Infrastructure : -

- * Oversee plant administration, statutory compliance, security, housekeeping, and facility management.
- * Ensure an productive, safe, and productive work environment.

Financial & Business Performance : -

- * Manage operational budgets and drive profitability through productivity improvements and cost control.
- * Monitor key business metrics and implement corrective actions to achieve operational targets.
- * Support strategic business planning, expansion, and investment decisions.

People Leadership : -

- * Lead and mentor functional heads across Manufacturing, Projects, Purchase, Planning, Administration, R&D;, and Quality.
- * Develop succession plans and strengthen leadership capabilities.




- * Promote employee engagement, accountability, and continuous learning.

Desired Candidate Profile : -

- * Bachelors or Masters degree in Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
- * MBA or postgraduate qualification in Operations/Business Management is preferred.
- * Must have headed the operations of minimum 500 Crs API / CDMO business
- * 25-30 years of progressive experience in the pharmaceutical API industry, including significant leadership experience.
- * Proven track record of leading multiple operational functions in a regulated manufacturing environment.
- * Hands-on experience with regulatory inspections by USFDA, EU GMP, MHRA, WHO-GMP, and other international agencies.
- * Strong understanding of API manufacturing processes, quality systems, supply chain, engineering projects, and business operations.

Key Competencies : -

- * Strategic Leadership
- * API Manufacturing Excellence
- * Business & Financial Acumen
- * Regulatory Compliance
- * Project & CAPEX Management
- * Procurement & Supply Chain Management
- * Production Planning
- * R&D; and Technology Transfer
- * Quality Systems
- * Operational Excellence (Lean/Six Sigma)
- * Change Management
- * Risk Management
- * Stakeholder Management
- * Team Building & Leadership
- * Decision Making and Problem Solving

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) : -

- * Manufacturing productivity and capacity utilization
- * On-time delivery and production plan adherence
- * Regulatory inspection and audit outcomes
- * Yield improvement and cost reduction
- * CAPEX project completion within budget and timelines
- * Inventory optimization and working capital improvement
- * Procurement savings and supplier performance
- * New product commercialization and technology transfer success
- * Employee engagement, retention, and leadership development
- * Overall EBITDA and operational profitability

📌 Cluster Head - Operations (API) (Mumbai)
🏢 Shodh Consulting
📍 Mumbai