Deputy General Manager - Procurement

Sentiss Pharma is committed to providing best quality pharmaceutical products primarily in the Ophthalmic, ENT and Inhalation segments. Sentiss’ presence in India, Russia, CIS, UA, Europe, USA is a testimony to its quality philosophy and practice of product differentiation. Sentiss acquired Akorn AG in 2023, which has a USFDA approved plant that is expected to further increase Sentiss’ presence in the US and European markets and diversify our product range. Well-built quality systems, compliance to processes, robust business strategies and strong corporate governance have led Sentiss today to rank in the top two ophthalmic companies in Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Sentiss has a quality workforce of around 1200 people across multiple geographies. Sentiss is recognized as Great Place to Work in India for 9 years in a row.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Procurement & Category Management

• Develop and execute category strategies for:
• Direct Materials: APIs, Excipients, Packaging Materials
• Indirect Materials: Engineering spares, MRO, IT, Capex
• Consumables: Filters, Gowns, Lab supplies, etc.
• Conduct spend analysis and implement cost-saving initiatives.
• Lead supplier scouting, qualification, and onboarding for sterile manufacturing plant.

Alternate Vendor Development

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard alternate vendors for key raw materials, packaging materials, and critical components.
• Conduct market research and benchmarking to identify potential suppliers globally and locally.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and quality standards during vendor selection.

Digitalization & Tech Enablement

• Enabling procurement digitalization initiatives.
• Leverage ERP systems and procurement analytics tools for data-driven decision-making.
• Collaborate with IT and digital teams to automate workflows and improve procurement cycle efficiency.

Operational Procurement

• Ensure timely procurement aligned with production and inventory plans.
• Manage RFQs, negotiations, and contract finalization.
• Monitor supplier performance and resolve supply chain disruptions.
• Conduct risk assessment & prepare mitigation plan.
• Develop sourcing strategies to reduce dependency on single vendors and high-risk geographies.

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure adherence to GMP, GDP, and other regulatory standards.
• Coordinate with QA/QC for vendor audits and material specifications.
• Maintain documentation for regulatory inspections and internal & external audits.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Build strategic relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Monitor vendor KPIs (OTIF, quality, cost) and drive continuous improvement.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with planning, production, and finance teams.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor a team of procurement professionals.
• Drive capability building, performance management, and digital skill development.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in Pharmacy, Science, or Engineering. MBA preferred.
• 12–18 years of experience in procurement, with at least 5 years in sterile pharma manufacturing.
• Proven experience in digital procurement tools and ERP systems.
• Strong knowledge of APIs, excipients, sterile consumables, and indirect categories.

Key Skills:

• Strategic sourcing & negotiation
• Procurement digitalization & automation
• Regulatory compliance (GMP/GDP)
• Vendor development & management
• Spend analysis & cost optimization
• Leadership & team development
• Tech-savvy with strong analytical mindset