Chief Operating Officer

Job Description: Chief Operating Officer (COO) Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO) Location: Mumbai Head Office (with regular travel to Dehradun and other factory sites) Reporting to: Board of Directors Experience Required: Minimum 1822 years in pharmaceutical operations, including factory and corporate leadership Qualification: Preferably B.Pharm or B.E. with an MBA; candidates with CA/ICWA + pharma experience will also be considered Position Overview: The COO will be responsible for end-to-end internal operations of the company, overseeing group companies, existing 4 manufacturing plants, and 2 upcoming facilities. The role includes strategic planning, cross-functional leadership, factory management, compliance, legal liaison, budgeting, and SOP implementation. The COO will drive operational excellence, ensure governance, and maintain seamless coordination between all departments and plants. Key Responsibilities: 1. Operations Management Direct supervision of departments including Purchase, Accounts & Finance, HR, Factory Operations, and Administration. Ensure smooth functioning of all four operational units and upcoming greenfield projects. Streamline interdepartmental processes and ensure timely execution of deliverables. 2. Factory Oversight Monitor day-to-day plant activities including production, quality, engineering, and dispatch. Ensure plant compliance with cGMP, WHO-GMP, FDA, and Schedule M norms. Oversee internal audits, external inspections, and readiness for regulatory audits (domestic and international). 3. Budgeting & KPIs Lead annual and quarterly budgeting exercises with Finance and Plant Heads. Define and monitor department-wise KPIs and KRAs. Ensure cost control, operational efficiency, and profitability. 4. HR & Organizational Management Guide the HR function in manpower planning, hiring, policy enforcement, and employee engagement. Approve organizational structure, succession planning, and performance appraisals. Implement disciplinary systems in coordination with HR and Legal. 5. Legal & Government Liaison Handle all legal matters, including ongoing cases, summons, and regulatory queries. Liaise with legal counsel, consultants, and relevant government departments (e.g., FDA, Labour, GST, Excise, ESI/PF). Maintain central tracking of all notices and ensure time-bound responses and resolutions. 6. Sales Coordination & Governance Support Sales Heads in target setting, incentive plans, collections oversight, and strategic market expansion. Approve and review SOPs for sales operations, distributor management, and field team accountability. Monitor overdue payment ageing reports and ensure escalations are handled as per policy. 7. Compliance & Governance Oversee adherence to statutory and regulatory requirements across all sites. Implement robust internal control systems and compliance calendars. Ensure ESG principles are embedded at plant level through structured reporting. 8. Strategic Projects Lead capital investment projects, plant upgrades, and technology integration. Work closely with directors and external consultants for new plant development, capacity planning, and licensing. Key Competencies: Strong leadership and organizational skills High integrity and decision-making ability under pressure Expertise in pharma plant operations and regulatory landscape Ability to drive accountability across teams Excellent communication and inter-department coordination Practical knowledge of SAP B1, Excel reporting, and internal audit systems