Operations Manager

Weekday AI (YC W21); India; On-site; INR 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Weekday AI (YC W21) is hiring an experienced Operations Manager to oversee end-to-end pharma distribution in Chandigarh. The role requires 8+ years in pharma distribution, supply chain, and warehouse management, with focus on compliant, cost-effective movement of pharmaceutical products and regulatory adherence.

You will lead distribution teams, coordinate with distributors, stockists, transporters, and cross-functional teams such as procurement, sales, finance, and QA to improve OTIF, inventory

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field; 8–12 years in pharma distribution or regulated supply chain.
• Experience managing large-scale pharma distribution or supply chain ops.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end pharma distribution operations including order processing and dispatch.
• Develop strategies to improve distribution efficiency and service levels.
• Manage relationships with distributors, stockists and logistics partners.
• Ensure storage, handling, and transport comply with quality and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor warehouse operations for space, manpower and resources optimization.
• Oversee inventory planning, stock availability, and cycle counts.
• Track OTIF, delivery timelines, inventory accuracy, and distribution costs.
• Coordinate with procurement, sales, finance, QA and logistics for product availability.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to improve efficiency.
• Lead returns, recalls, reverse logistics, and expiry management.
• Develop SOPs, controls, and MIS reporting for distribution processes.
• Lead and train warehouse, logistics and distribution teams to meet targets.
• Prepare MIS reports and provide insights on performance and risk.
• Support audits and ensure compliance with distribution regulations.

Skills

Pharma Distribution

Distribution Operations

Pharma Supply Chain

Pharmaceutical warehouse and inventory

Distributor and stockist management

Logistics and transportation

Order fulfillment and distribution

Inventory control and demand/supply

Reverse logistics, returns, expiry

SOP development and process

Operational MIS and KPI

Team leadership and stakeholder mgmt

Pharma handling and distribution com

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations, Pharmacy, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

ERP/WMS systems

Job description

Job Description:

This role is for one of Weekday’s clients
Salary range: Rs 700000 - Rs 1000000 (ie INR 7 - 10 LPA)

Min Experience: 8+ years
Location: Chandigarh
JobType: full-time

We are looking for an experienced and results-driven Operations Manager to oversee end-to-end distribution operations within the pharmaceutical sector. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience in pharma distribution, distribution operations, and pharmaceutical supply chain management, with a proven track record of managing warehouses, inventory, logistics, distributors, and operational teams.

The role requires someone who can ensure the timely, compliant, and cost-effective movement of pharmaceutical products while maintaining product quality, regulatory standards, inventory accuracy, and service levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee end-to-end pharma distribution operations, including order processing, inventory movement, dispatch, transportation, and delivery.
• Develop and execute operational strategies to improve distribution efficiency, service levels, and overall supply chain performance.
• Manage relationships with distributors, stockists, logistics partners, transporters, and other supply chain stakeholders.
• Ensure pharmaceutical products are stored, handled, dispatched, and transported in accordance with applicable quality and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor warehouse and distribution center operations, ensuring optimum utilization of space, manpower, and resources.
• Oversee inventory planning, stock availability, replenishment, cycle counts, reconciliation, and inventory accuracy.
• Track and improve key operational metrics including OTIF, order fulfillment, inventory accuracy, delivery timelines, stock aging, returns, and distribution costs.
• Coordinate closely with procurement, sales, finance, quality, warehouse, and logistics teams to ensure uninterrupted product availability.
• Identify supply chain bottlenecks and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve operational efficiency.
• Manage pharmaceutical returns, damaged/expired stock, product recalls, and reverse logistics processes.
• Develop SOPs, operational controls, and reporting mechanisms to standardize distribution processes.
• Lead, train, and manage warehouse, logistics, and distribution teams to achieve operational targets.
• Prepare regular MIS reports and provide management with insights on distribution performance, inventory, costs, and operational risks.
• Support audits and ensure compliance with internal policies, quality standards, and applicable pharmaceutical distribution regulations.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost optimization, process efficiency, scalability, and customer service.

Must-Have Skills

• Pharma Distribution
• Distribution Operations
• Pharma Supply Chain
• Pharmaceutical warehouse and inventory management
• Distributor and stockist management
• Logistics and transportation management
• Order fulfillment and distribution planning
• Inventory control and demand/supply coordination
• Reverse logistics, returns, and expiry management
• SOP development and process improvement
• Operational MIS and KPI management
• Team leadership and stakeholder management
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical handling and distribution compliance

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations, Pharmacy, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 8-12 years of relevant experience, preferably within pharmaceutical distribution, healthcare, FMCG, or a regulated supply chain environment.
• Strong experience managing large-scale distribution or pharma supply chain operations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional teams and multiple operational stakeholders.
• Experience with ERP/WMS systems and strong proficiency in operational reporting and analytics.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and leadership skills.

Requirements: