General Manager - Operation Excellence (PSS07628)

Job Title: General Manager - Operation Excellence

Location: Mumbai

About the client: PSS has been mandated to hire a General Manager - Operation Excellence for a company focused on developing and manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). They specialize in APIs for chronic therapeutic areas and offer contract development and manufacturing services to pharmaceutical companies.

Job Purpose: To lead the API operation excellence in the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Operational Excellence: Develop and implement a comprehensive operational excellence strategy for the API manufacturing division, aligning with overall company goals and market demands.
Process Optimization & Improvement: Lead initiatives to identify and eliminate bottlenecks, reduce cycle times, and optimize production processes across R&D, manufacturing, and quality control, with a focus on cost improvement.
Cost Management & Profitability: Drive cost reduction programs and initiatives to improve absorption rates and maintain profitability in a competitive pricing environment.
Quality Assurance & Enhancement: Collaborate closely with Quality and R&D teams to ensure the highest quality standards are met throughout the API lifecycle, from development to final product.
R&D Collaboration: Partner with R&D to ensure seamless transfer of processes to manufacturing, focusing on manufacturability and cost-effectiveness from the outset.
Supply Chain Optimization: Analyze and optimize aspects of the API supply chain to improve efficiency and reduce costs, particularly at the last end of the value chain.
Performance Management: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track operational performance, identify areas for improvement, and report progress to senior leadership.
Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.
Customer Focus: Work closely with sales and customer-facing teams to understand customer expectations and ensure operational processes are aligned to meet those needs, maintaining a "neck-to-neck" relationship.
Risk Management: Identify and mitigate operational risks, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and industry standards.

Technology & Innovation: Evaluate and implement new technologies and best practices to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. Optimizing processes and costs at the final stages of the API value chain where inefficiencies can significantly impact profitability.
Competitive Pricing Pressure: Operating in a market where competitors may offer lower prices, requiring constant focus on cost improvement and efficiency to maintain profitability.

Maintaining Profitability: Balancing the need for cost reduction with the requirement to invest in quality, R&D, and process improvements to stay competitive
Neck-to-Neck with Customer: Meeting demanding customer expectations regarding quality, lead times, and cost in a highly competitive landscape.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Chemistry, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred.
Minimum of 18 years of total professional experience, with at least 10-15 years specifically in API manufacturing operations.
Proven experience in implementing operational excellence methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement frameworks.
Strong understanding of API manufacturing processes, cGMP regulations, and quality systems.
Demonstrated ability to drive significant cost reductions and efficiency improvements.
Experience in collaborating with R&D and Quality teams to optimize processes.
Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and challenging environment.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

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