Manager- Projects (NPD)

Shalina Healthcare; Navi Mumbai; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 3,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Shalina Healthcare in Navi Mumbai seeks a Manager to lead end-to-end New Product Development projects, coordinate cross-functional teams, track milestones, and ensure timely launches across markets.

You will drive feasibility analyses, manage regulatory and quality documentation, artwork and packaging changes, and deliver monthly MIS and CEO updates using SAP, EDUCE, and Qlik.

Experience in pharma product launches, project planning, and supplier coordination is essential.

Qualifications

• Graduate/Postgraduate in Pharmacy or related field, with relevant experience in NPD and launches.
• Experience coordinating Regulatory, Quality, Supply Chain and artwork activities.
• Exposure to GE/packaging changes and portfolio management is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end project management for NP, GE, and packaging changes.
• Coordinate with cross-functional stakeholders and track milestones.
• Prepare New Item Forms and source new products with OUs.
• Coordinate launches, PR/PO with vendors and production teams.
• Ensure regulatory, QA, and documentation are completed on time.
• Maintain MIS, reports, and provide updates to leadership.

Skills

New Product Development

Project Management

Cross-Functional Coordination

Regulatory & Quality Documentation

Portfolio Management

MIS Reporting

Stakeholder Management

Timelines Tracking

Education

Graduate/Postgraduate in Pharmacy, Life Sciences, Engineering, Management, or a related discipline

Tools

SAP

EDUCE

Qlik

MS Excel

Job description

Shalina Healthcare is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in sub-Saharan Africa. For the last 40 years we have made it our mission to provide quality medicines to those who need it the most. We manufacture and distribute branded prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical and consumer products, across a broad range of therapeutic groups, including anti-malarial, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and nutrition. We have a track record few can match and our brands are among the most trusted in Africa.

We are proud of our history and have big ambitions for the future. Our vision for 2030 is to be the health champion of Sub-Saharan Africa. To achieve this, we are looking for the right people to join us and create a lasting impact not just within our company but on the communities we serve.

Everyone in our company has a crucial role to play, and we are looking for people who identify with our Core Values and are as passionate about our Mission as we are.

The Global Supply Organization is a multi-continental Function that comprises of the entire Value Chain from product conceptualization to delivery to the commercial front. Within the Global Supply Organization are included, Research & Development, Project Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain Management and Logistics.

Designation: Manager

Reporting To: DGM- NPD

Role Purpose

1. End-to-End Project Management

• Manage end-to-end projects covering New Products (NP), Geographic Expansion (GE), and packaging changes.
• Coordinate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure timely execution of project milestones and launch plans.
• Track individual product timelines, identify delays, resolve dependencies, and provide weekly project updates.
• Ensure adherence to defined processes, timelines, and project compliance requirements.

2. Product Feasibility & Portfolio Development

• Evaluate project feasibility based on Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), Gross Profit (GP%), and commercial viability.
• Prepare New Item Forms (NIFs) to initiate sourcing of new products in coordination with Operating Units (OUs).
• Collect and consolidate product information, assess data availability from sourcing teams, and support preparation of product proposals.
• Identify new product and value-improvement opportunities for the Medium-Term Plan (MTP) using EXIM and Sani Sphere data.
• Track the Consumer Products portfolio and support portfolio expansion initiatives.

3. New Product Launches & Market Coordination

• Coordinate with OUs and internal stakeholders to ensure timely delivery and launch of new products across markets.
• Track product launch readiness, dispatches, and supply status, and communicate updates to respective markets on time.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain for purchase requisition (PR) and purchase order (PO) releases to vendors and production teams.
• Follow up on launch‑related dependencies to ensure products are available as per planned timelines.
• Coordinate medical content and French/Portuguese leaflet translations with relevant stakeholders.

4. Regulatory, Quality & Documentation

• Coordinate legal, technical, regulatory, and quality activities related to product development and launches.
• Initiate and follow up on Change Control Forms (CCFs) with Quality Assurance (QA), ensuring approvals and implementation within agreed timelines.
• Coordinate Finished Goods (FG) code creation by collecting relevant information from departments and initiating requests through SAP and EDUCE.
• Ensure required product documentation and administrative requirements, including Shalina Artwork Text (SAT) forms, are completed accurately and on time.
• Maintain project records and ensure documentation compliance throughout the product development lifecycle.

5. Packaging & Artwork Management

• Coordinate with the Artwork team for internal packaging and artwork development.
• Collect vendor specifications and obtain approvals from relevant departments for artwork and packaging implementation.
• Track packaging changes and ensure alignment between artwork, regulatory requirements, product specifications, and launch timelines.

6. MIS, Reporting & Performance Tracking

• Prepare monthly updates for the CEO report and track NPD sales performance using Qlik data.
• Maintain project trackers, launch reports, and other MIS within defined timelines.
• Provide regular visibility on project progress, pending actions, launch readiness, and potential delays.
• Track product dispatches and communicate shipment status to respective markets.
• Maintain accurate and updated tracking reports to support management reviews and decision-making.

Qualifications & Experience

• Graduate/Postgraduate in Pharmacy, Life Sciences, Engineering, Management, or a related discipline.
• Relevant experience in New Product Development, project management, product launches, or portfolio management, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Experience coordinating with Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Procurement, Artwork, and international Operating Units.
• Working knowledge of SAP, EDUCE, Qlik, MS Excel, and project tracking tools will be preferred.
• Exposure to geographic expansion, packaging changes, and consumer product portfolios will an advantage.
• New Product Development & Launch Management
• Cross-Functional Project Coordination
• Project Planning and Timeline Management
• Product Feasibility, COGS & GP Analysis
• Regulatory and Quality Documentation
• Artwork and Packaging Change Management
• SAP, EDUCE & Qlik Reporting
• MIS Preparation and Data Analysis
• Stakeholder Management
• Problem-Solving and Execution Excellence

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Timely completion of NPD, geographic expansion, and packaging change projects.
• Adherence to planned product launch timelines.
• Accuracy and timeliness of project trackers and management MIS.
• Timely completion of regulatory, quality, artwork, and documentation activities.
• Product feasibility and profitability assessment.
• Timely FG code creation and PR/PO coordination.
• Timely communication of product dispatches and launch status to markets.
• Effective tracking of NPD sales and the Consumer Products portfolio.