Senior Manager - External Manufacturing

Shalina Healthcare; Navi Mumbai; On-site; INR 3,500,000 - 5,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Shalina Healthcare is seeking a Senior Manager - External Manufacturing to lead our contract manufacturing and supply chain operations. You will drive strategic partnerships, optimize capacity, and ensure seamless product supply across multiple sites while upholding quality and regulatory standards.

The ideal candidate brings 15+ years in contract/manufacturing, deep pharma/regulatory knowledge, and a track record in vendor management, cost improvement, and cross-functional leadership across

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in Contract Manufacturing / Supply Chain / Operations.
• Strong background in Pharma, Healthcare, or FMCG.
• Deep understanding of GMP, regulatory compliance, and audits.
• Proven expertise in vendor management and commercial negotiations.
• Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience managing multiple manufacturing sites and complex supply networks.

Responsibilities

• Drive contract manufacturing strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Identify and develop new contract manufacturing partners to meet business needs and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Develop capacity planning and risk mitigation frameworks.
• Oversee end-to-end production planning and product supply across contract manufacturing locations.
• Ensure adherence to delivery timelines and service levels.
• Identify, onboard, and manage contract manufacturing partners.
• Lead commercial negotiations and build long-term strategic relationships.
• Ensure GMP and regulatory compliance across all outsourced sites.
• Lead techno-commercial audits and ensure closure of audit observations.
• Drive cost improvement initiatives and operational efficiencies.
• Monitor KPIs such as yield, material consumption, and productivity.
• Work closely with R&D, Regulatory, QA/CQA, Procurement, Finance, and Logistics teams.
• Support product transfers, scale-ups, and packaging development trials.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial performance.
• Present MIS reports and performance insights to senior leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Strategic planning

Team management

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.

Department:

External Manufacturing

Designation:

Senior Manager

Role:

Senior Manager - External Manufacturing

Reporting to:

Global Head - Manufacturing

What you become a part of:

Senior Manager - External Manufacturing is responsible to lead our Contract Manufacturing & Supply Chain operations. This role is pivotal in ensuring seamless product supply, driving operational excellence, and maintaining the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance across multiple manufacturing sites. This role has a direct responsibility to the Global Manufacturing Head & work closely with the GSO Leadership Team to develop and implement strategies that align with the long-term goals and optimize business performance. The ideal incumbent will have a deep understanding of the pharmaceuticals industry & strong analytical skills.

What to expect:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Drive contract manufacturing strategy aligned with business objectives
• Identify and develop new contract manufacturing partners to meet business needs and ensure regulatory compliance
• Develop capacity planning and risk mitigation frameworks

Operations & Supply Management

• Oversee end-to-end production planning and product supply across contract manufacturing locations
• Ensure adherence to delivery timelines and service levels
• Identify, onboard, and manage contract manufacturing partners
• Lead commercial negotiations and build long-term strategic relationships

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure GMP and regulatory compliance across all outsourced sites
• Lead techno-commercial audits and ensure closure of audit observations

Performance & Cost Optimization

• Drive cost improvement initiatives and operational efficiencies
• Monitor KPIs such as yield, material consumption, and productivity

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with R&D, Regulatory, QA/CQA, Procurement, Finance, and Logistics teams
• Support product transfers, scale-ups, and packaging development trials

Governance & Reporting

• Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial performance
• Present MIS reports and performance insights to senior leadership

What We’re Looking For

• 15+ years of experience in Contract Manufacturing / Supply Chain / Operations
• Strong background in Pharma, Healthcare, or FMCG industry
• Deep understanding of GMP, regulatory compliance, and audits
• Proven expertise in vendor management and commercial negotiations
• Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills
• Experience managing multiple manufacturing sites and complex supply networks