Job Description
About the Opportunity
Our client is a growth-stage pharma/nutraceuticals manufacturing company experiencing rapid business expansion. The existing procurement team structure (1+3) is under significant stress due to scale-up demands. With a key team member retiring in September 2026, the company is proactively seeking a seasoned procurement leader who can revitalize, restructure, and elevate the department to meet current and future business demands.
This is a leadership and transformation mandate not just a functional role.
Role Purpose
The Head of Procurement will lead the end-to-end procurement function covering raw materials, natural/herbal ingredients, Nutraceuticals, chemicals, and packaging materials. The incumbent will be responsible for building a high-performing procurement team, driving cost efficiency, ensuring supply continuity, and managing vendor relationships across India (70%) and international markets (30%).
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Procurement Leadership
- Own and drive the procurement strategy aligned with business growth objectives
- Manage an annual purchase portfolio of approximately 20 Crores across raw materials, packing materials, APIs, natural ingredients, and chemicals
- Develop and implement sourcing strategies for India-centric (70%) and international (30%) supply chains
- Lead vendor identification, qualification, negotiation, and long-term relationship management
Team Building & People Leadership
- Inherit and energize the current 1+3 team structure driving performance, capability upgrade, and accountability
- Potentially restructure the team with 23 strategic additions to support business growth
- Mentor and develop team members handling specialized categories: natural ingredients, chemicals, and packaging
- Set KPIs, conduct performance reviews, and build a culture of ownership and continuous improvement
Category Management
- Natural & Herbal Ingredients: Sourcing of botanical raw materials, herbal extracts, and specialty natural inputs (including North-East specialty produce)
- APIs & Chemicals: Pharma-grade chemical procurement with compliance to GMP/regulatory standards
- Packaging Materials: Primary and secondary packaging procurement — ensuring quality, cost, and lead-time targets are met
Vendor & Supplier Management
- Develop and maintain a robust Approved Vendor List (AVL) across all categories
- Lead supplier audits, qualification, and periodic reviews in coordination with QA teams
- Negotiate commercial terms — pricing, payment terms, lead times, and SLAs
- Build alternate sourcing and contingency supply plans to mitigate supply risk
Compliance & Quality
- Ensure all procurement activities comply with pharma regulatory requirements (Schedule M, GMP, GDP)
- Coordinate with QA/QC for vendor approval and material release processes
- Maintain documentation and audit trails as per regulatory requirements
Cost Optimization & Analytics
- Drive year-on-year savings through strategic sourcing, consolidation, and process improvements
- Provide regular MIS on procurement KPIs — cost savings, fill rate, lead times, and vendor performance
- Use data-driven decision making for category planning and demand forecasting
Ideal Candidate Profile
Experience
- 12–18 years of progressive procurement experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership/managerial role
- Mandatory: Background in Pharma, Nutraceuticals, Herbal/Ayurvedic, or related Life Sciences manufacturing
- Demonstrated experience managing procurement budgets of 15–25 Crores or above
- Prior experience managing both domestic (India) and international procurement preferred
Functional Skills
- Deep expertise in sourcing raw materials, APIs, natural ingredients, and packaging materials
- Strong commercial acumen — negotiation, contract management, and supplier development
- Familiarity with pharma regulatory environment (GMP, Schedule M, FDA/WHO-GMP a plus)
- Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP/Oracle/Tally) for procurement and inventory management
- Understanding of import/export documentation and international trade compliance
Leadership & Behavioral Competencies
- Team Builder: Proven ability to build, coach, and scale procurement teams
- Problem Solver: Ability to quickly assess and resolve supply chain challenges under pressure
- Ownership Mindset: Operates with full accountability for results, not just processes
- Stakeholder Management: Works effectively across QA, Production, Finance, and Leadership
- Adaptability: Comfortable scaling up rapidly in a growth-oriented environment
Education
- B.Sc. / B.Pharm / B.E. (Chemical) or equivalent technical degree
- MBA in Supply Chain / Operations preferred