General Manager - Product Development (Pharma Formulations)

Role & responsibilities

Position: General Manager- Product Development Laboratory (PDL)

Location: AET Laboratories, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Reporting to: Managing Director & COO

Role Overview

AET Laboratories is seeking a visionary and results-driven leader to head its Product Development Laboratory (PDL). This strategic role involves leading pharmaceutical product development, driving innovation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and building a high-performance team to support the companys growth and global ambitions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Innovation

• Define and lead the product development strategy, including patent landscape analysis and formulation methodologies.
• Drive innovation across all development projects, ensuring alignment with business goals and market needs.
• Lead technology scouting and adoption of advanced tools and techniques to enhance development capabilities.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee departmental budgeting, infrastructure upgrades, system enhancements, and documentation processes.
• Ensure seamless technology transfer and robust training programs throughout the product lifecycle.
• Maintain the development laboratory at world-class quality and compliance standards.

Project & Resource Management

• Manage all PDL activities, ensuring timely execution of projects within defined timelines and budgets.
• Monitor key milestones and proactively address risks to ensure successful project delivery.
• Allocate resources effectively based on project priorities and strategic objectives.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with cross-functional teams including Analytical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance, Clinical, and Manufacturing to ensure cohesive execution.
• Provide technical support and guidance to internal stakeholders and external partners.

Talent Development & Team Building

• Lead recruitment, performance management, mentoring,and career development of the PD team.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative culture through on-the-job training and structured development programs.
• Implement Individual Development Plans (IDPs) to build a future-ready, high-performing team.

Regulatory & Technical Oversight

• Ensure all formulations and processes are cost-effective, scalable, stable, and compliant with international regulatory standards.
• Review and approve technical documentation, including licensing and regulatory submissions.
• Collaborate with IVIVC and clinical teams to ensure timely and successful completion of bioequivalence studies.

Reporting & Communication

• Provide regular updates to senior management on project progress, challenges, and strategic opportunities.

Preferred candidate profile

Qualifications & Experience

• M. Pharmacy (Pharmaceutics) and/or PhD preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical product development across solid oral, liquid, and sterile dosage forms.
• Proven leadership in managing innovative and differentiated product pipelines.
• Strong understanding of global regulatory frameworks and experience working with international clients.
• Excellent communication, documentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Desired Skills

• Deep expertise in IVIVC concepts and clinical study design.
• Strong grasp of regulatory guidelines and pharmaceutical development fundamentals.
• Exceptional problem-solving, analytical thinking, and project management capabilities.
• Ability to inspire and lead high-performing scientific teams.
• Demonstrated courage, integrity, and passion in leading innovation with ethical and purpose-driven decision-making.
• Proven ability to cultivate a collaborative, curious, and improvement-focused team culture that embraces change and challenges convention.
• Strong commitment to advancing global health outcomes and driving sustainable pharmaceutical development initiatives.

Interested candidates may send their updated CVs to: farzana.m@tiefenbacher.com