Head-R&D

Michael Page; Navi Mumbai; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page is seeking a Head of R&D for a leading pharma company in Navi Mumbai. This role offers an opportunity to lead formulation development and lifecycle management, aimed at driving product profitability and optimizing costs.

The ideal candidate will have strong commercial acumen and significant experience in formulation R&D, alongside collaboration capabilities with Commercial, Manufacturing, and Quality teams. This position promises significant autonomy and interaction with senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial acumen linking formulation to pricing and profitability.
• Deep experience in formulation R&D for OSD and topicals.
• Track record in cost optimization and alternate material evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation development and lifecycle management.
• Drive improvements in existing products through optimization.
• Collaborate closely with Manufacturing and Quality teams.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Formulation R&D experience

Cost optimization

Process improvements

Job description

• Opportunity to Join a Leading Pharma Company
• Leadership Role

About Our Client

Our client is a leading pharma company.

Job Description

1. This is a commercially driven R&D leadership role responsible for formulation development, lifecycle management, and cost optimization across the company's pharma and consumer portfolio.
2. The role focuses on improving existing products through reformulation, alternate material evaluation, and process optimization to enhance margins, manufacturability, and supply flexibility.
3. The incumbent will drive make-vs-buy decisions, support loan-license and third-party manufacturing, and ensure successful technology transfer across internal and external sites.
4. The role requires close collaboration with Commercial, Manufacturing, and Quality teams, with strong emphasis on pricing-linked formulation decisions and portfolio competitiveness.

The Successful Applicant

A successful Head of R&D should have:

• Strong commercial acumen with ability to link formulation decisions to pricing, margins, and profitability.
• Deep experience in formulation R&D (OSD, topicals) and lifecycle management.
• Proven track record in cost optimization, alternate material evaluation, and process improvements.
• Experience working with external manufacturing and tech transfer.
• Ability to balance R&D, manufacturing feasibility, and commercial priorities.
• Exposure to consumer healthcare & pharma products.

What's on Offer

A high-impact leadership role offering end-to-end ownership of R&D with a strong focus on driving product profitability, cost optimization, and portfolio competitiveness across pharma and consumer categories. It provides significant autonomy, close interaction with senior leadership, and exposure to high-growth markets.