Head Contract Manufacturing (DGM/GM)

Novopor Advanced Science; Dahej, Mumbai, Hyderabad; On-site; INR 3,000,000 - 6,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Novopor Advanced Science leads the contract manufacturing and tolling strategy, identifying and onboarding external partners to deliver safe, reliable and cost-efficient products. The role builds a scalable partner network and oversees technical transfers, audits, and compliance across India.

The candidate will drive commercial models, negotiate terms, and ensure alignment with quality requirements while enabling growth and value creation for customers and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in specialty chemicals, agrochemicals, intermediates, pharmaceuticals or related process industries.
• Significant experience in contract manufacturing, tolling, third-party manufacturing, external manufacturing, strategic sourcing or manufacturing partnerships.
• Experience working with multiple manufacturing sites/partners across India.
• Strong understanding of chemical manufacturing processes, plant infrastructure and manufacturing economics.
• Experience in commercial negotiations and partner management is essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the organization's contract manufacturing and tolling strategy.
• Identify opportunities to leverage external manufacturing capacity for new products and cost optimization.
• Build a scalable partner network to support growth and customer requirements.
• Coordinate technical/site assessments and audits with relevant functions.
• Lead technology transfer and onboarding of products to external partners.
• Establish commercial models (toll manufacturing, job work, conversions) and monitor margins.
• Ensure CM partners comply with quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Commercial orientation

Ownership & accountability

Strategic thinking

Data-driven decisions

Ambiguity tolerance

Negotiation skills

Execution orientation

Stakeholder management

Cost-quality balance

Education

B.E./B.Tech. (Chemical)

Job description

Purpose: To lead and build the Contract Manufacturing & Tolling business by identifying, evaluating, onboarding, and managing external manufacturing partners to deliver products safely, reliably, cost-effectively, and in compliance with agreed quality and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Contract Manufacturing & Tolling Strategy

• Develop and implement the organization's contract manufacturing and tolling strategy aligned with business growth objectives.
• Identify opportunities to leverage external manufacturing capacity for new products, capacity constraints, specialized processes, and cost optimization.
• Build a scalable partner network capable of supporting business growth and customer requirements.

Partner Identification & Development

• Define criteria and framework for identifying, evaluating, onboarding and periodically reviewing contract manufacturing/tolling partners.
• Conduct preliminary technical and commercial evaluation of potential partners. Develop and maintain a qualified and approved partner database.
• Coordinate technical/site assessments and audits in collaboration with relevant functions.

New Product / Process Onboarding

• Lead the transition of products from customer/R&D/process development to external manufacturing partners.
• Establish clear protocols for trial batches, validation/qualification and commercial production.
• Coordinate technology transfer, process understanding, scale-up and manufacturing readiness.

Commercial & Operational Management

• Establish appropriate commercial models for: Toll manufacturing, Conversion arrangements, Job work, Capacity reservation, Cost-plus models, Product-based manufacturing arrangements.
• Monitor contribution margins and profitability of contract manufacturing/tolling arrangements.
• Work closely with BD teams to assess customer requirements and translate them into viable manufacturing solutions.

EHS and Quality Compliance

• Ensure contract manufacturing partners operate in accordance with agreed quality standards, specifications, processes and documentation requirements.
• Ensure timely investigation and closure of deviations, customer complaints, OOS/OOT and CAPA, wherever applicable. Support customer and regulatory audits of contract manufacturing partners.
• Establish mechanisms for monitoring EHS compliance and incidents at partner sites. Ensure critical risks associated with hazardous processes, chemicals, utilities and waste management are adequately assessed.

Competencies:

• Strong commercial orientation
• High ownership and accountability
• Strategic thinking
• Data-driven decision making
• Ability to operate in ambiguity
• Strong influencing and Negotiation skills
• High execution orientation
• Stakeholder management
• Ability to balance cost, quality, delivery, EHS and business continuity

Qualification: B.E./B.Tech. (Chemical)

Nature of Experience:

• 15+ years of relevant experience in specialty chemicals, agrochemicals, intermediates, pharmaceuticals or related process industries.
• Significant experience in contract manufacturing, tolling, third-party manufacturing, external manufacturing, strategic sourcing or manufacturing partnerships.
• Experience in working with multiple manufacturing sites/partners across India.
• Strong understanding of chemical manufacturing processes, plant infrastructure and manufacturing economics.
• Experience in commercial negotiations and partner management is essential.