General Manager

Key Responsibilities 1. Strategic Procurement Develop and execute the overall procurement strategy aligned with business, production, and financial objectives. Lead procurement of API raw materials, key starting materials (KSMs), intermediates, solvents, chemicals, catalysts, and critical consumables. Develop long-term sourcing strategies for critical and high-value materials. Identify opportunities for strategic sourcing, localization, import substitution, and alternate vendor development. Establish annual procurement plans and budgets in coordination with Finance, Production, SCM, and Business teams. 2. Vendor Management & Development Develop and maintain strong relationships with key domestic and international suppliers. Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop new suppliers for critical API materials. Establish alternate sources to minimize supply-chain risks and dependency on single vendors. Lead commercial negotiations with strategic suppliers for price, MOQ, payment terms, credit period, lead time, and supply commitments. Conduct periodic supplier performance reviews based on quality, cost, delivery, service, and compliance. Work closely with QA/QC for vendor qualification, audits, technical evaluation, and approval of new suppliers. 3. Cost Optimization Drive procurement cost-reduction initiatives without compromising quality or supply continuity. Negotiate annual rate contracts, long-term agreements, volume-based pricing, and strategic contracts. Analyze commodity trends, foreign exchange impact, freight, duties, and other cost drivers. Develop should-cost models and benchmark pricing for major raw materials. Identify opportunities for bulk purchasing, consolidated sourcing, and inventory optimization. Monitor and report procurement savings and cost-avoidance initiatives. 4. API Supply Chain & Material Availability Ensure uninterrupted availability of materials required for API production. Coordinate closely with Production, Planning, Stores, QA, QC, Finance, R&D/Process Development, and Logistics. Monitor critical materials, long-lead-time items, and imported materials. Establish appropriate safety-stock and reorder strategies for critical materials. Develop contingency plans for supply disruptions, geopolitical risks, logistics issues, and supplier failures. Ensure timely closure of purchase requirements and pending POs. 5. Contract & Commercial Management Lead negotiation and finalization of annual rate contracts, supply agreements, and strategic vendor contracts. Review commercial terms including payment conditions, credit period, Incoterms, freight, insurance, taxes, duties, penalties, and delivery commitments. Ensure appropriate contractual safeguards for supply continuity and price volatility. Review and approve major purchase proposals in line with delegated financial authority. 6. Import Procurement Lead procurement of imported API raw materials, KSMs, intermediates, solvents, and specialty chemicals where applicable. Monitor international supplier pricing, lead times, freight, customs duties, and foreign-exchange exposure. Coordinate with logistics/customs teams to ensure timely clearance and delivery. Develop alternate international and domestic sources to reduce import dependency and supply risk. 7. Quality & Regulatory Compliance Ensure procurement practices comply with applicable GMP, quality systems, company SOPs, and pharmaceutical regulatory requirements. Coordinate with QA/QC for vendor qualification and quality agreements. Ensure critical materials are procured only from approved/qualified sources as applicable. Support supplier audits, regulatory inspections, customer audits, and quality investigations when required. Participate in investigations related to material quality, supplier deviations, rejections, and recurring supply issues. 8. Team Leadership Lead, mentor, and develop the procurement team. Establish clear performance objectives and KPIs for purchase personnel. Build a high-performance, commercially strong procurement organization. Develop procurement policies, SOPs, systems, and governance mechanisms. Ensure effective delegation, review, and approval controls within the department.