Chief Commercial Officer - API

James Douglas; New Delhi; On-site; INR 5,000,000 - 9,000,000; Full time

Job summary

James Douglas is seeking a Chief Growth/Commercial Officer (API Business) to lead the global commercial charter for a fast-scaling API portfolio within a reputed pharma organization. You will drive revenue growth, margin expansion, and strategic partnerships across regulated and emerging markets, shaping the long-term commercial vision.

The role demands deep pharma experience, global leadership, and strong P&L orientation.

Qualifications

• 18+ years in pharma with deep exposure to APIs.
• Proven track record in global commercial leadership roles.
• Strong network with global pharma customers.
• Expertise in B2B sales, pricing, and contract negotiations.
• Strong P&L orientation and business acumen.
• Experience in promoter-led or board-driven environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the global commercial strategy for the API portfolio.
• Identify growth opportunities across regulated (US, EU, Japan) and emerging markets.
• Drive pricing, portfolio prioritization, and margin optimization.
• Influence investment decisions across capacity, product pipeline, and expansion.
• Own revenue targets, order pipeline, and global customer portfolio.
• Lead regional sales teams and key account management.
• Drive large, strategic deals and long-term supply agreements.
• Build robust forecasting and sales governance frameworks.
• Build strategic relationships with global pharma, generics, and innovators.
• Lead high-value negotiations, alliances, and long-term contracts.
• Identify co-development, in-licensing, and out-licensing opportunities.
• Represent the organization in global forums and customer engagements.
• Define go-to-market strategy and product positioning.
• Track competitive landscape and evolving customer expectations.
• Guide launch strategies for new APIs and capacity expansions.
• Align commercial strategy with Manufacturing, R&D, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply Chain.
• Ensure seamless execution of customer commitments.
• Act as the voice of the customer within the organization.
• Establish KPIs, dashboards, and performance metrics.
• Provide regular updates to leadership on growth, risks, and opportunities.
• Ensure adherence to global compliance and ethical standards.

Skills

Global commercial leadership

B2B sales

Pricing

Contract negotiations

P&L orientation

Board/ promoter experience

Job description

Role: Chief Growth/ Commercial Officer (API Business)

Lead the global commercial charter for a fast-scaling API business within a reputed pharmaceutical organization. This role will drive revenue growth, margin expansion, and strategic partnerships across regulated and emerging markets, while shaping the long-term commercial vision of the business.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic & Commercial Leadership

• Define and execute the global commercial strategy for the API portfolio
• Identify growth opportunities across regulated (US, EU, Japan) and emerging markets
• Drive pricing, portfolio prioritization, and margin optimization
• Influence investment decisions across capacity, product pipeline, and expansion

2. Revenue Ownership & Market Expansion

• Own revenue targets, order pipeline, and global customer portfolio
• Lead regional sales teams and key account management
• Drive large, strategic deals and long-term supply agreements
• Build robust forecasting and sales governance frameworks

3. Partnerships & Business Development

• Build strategic relationships with global pharma, generics, and innovators
• Lead high-value negotiations, alliances, and long-term contracts
• Identify co-development, in-licensing, and out-licensing opportunities
• Represent the organization in global forums and customer engagements

4. Market Intelligence & Positioning

• Define go-to-market strategy and product positioning
• Track competitive landscape and evolving customer expectations
• Guide launch strategies for new APIs and capacity expansions

5. Cross-Functional Leadership

• Align commercial strategy with Manufacturing, R&D, Quality, Regulatory, and Supply Chain
• Ensure seamless execution of customer commitments
• Act as the voice of the customer within the organization

6. Governance & Performance

• Establish KPIs, dashboards, and performance metrics
• Provide regular updates to leadership on growth, risks, and opportunities
• Ensure adherence to global compliance and ethical standards

Candidate profile:

• 18+ years in pharma with deep exposure to APIs
• Proven track record in global commercial leadership roles
• Strong network with global pharma customers
• Expertise in B2B sales, pricing, and contract negotiations
• Strong P&L orientation and business acumen
• Experience in promoter-led or board-driven environments is preferred