As the Head of Infrastructure you will lead and manage all aspects of IT infrastructure across corporate offices, manufacturing plants, R&D, and distribution sites, ensuring high availability, compliance (21 CFR Part 11, GxP), cybersecurity, and scalability aligned with pharmaceutical regulatory needs.This encompasses data center management, network and server services, telephony systems, service monitoring, user support/help desk, workstation management, backup and recovery solutions, servers, storage, and all related software.You will be operationally accountable for ensuring the continuous availability, integrity, and security of all IT systems and infrastructure that underpin our critical pharmaceutical activities in our organization.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy & Planning
- Develop and execute the IT infrastructure roadmap aligned with business goals and pharma compliance requirements.
- Continuously evaluate emerging technologies and trends to identify opportunities for improving efficiency, security, and business value.
- Infrastructure Operations :
- Ensure 24x7 uptime for business-critical systems like SAP, LIMS, QMS etc.,.
- Manage data centers, networks, server infrastructure, and end-user services.
- Define and enforce SLAs with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure the continuous availability, integrity, security, and performance of all IT systems and infrastructure through proactive monitoring, maintenance, and robust operational processes.
- Plant IT & GxP Compliance :
- Ensure infrastructure in manufacturing plants supports compliance with FDA, WHO-GMP, and local regulatory audits.
- Implement validated IT systems and manage audit readiness (e.g., backup, disaster recovery, ALCOA+ principles).
- Support IT/OT convergence, including network segmentation for SCADA/DCS systems.
- Cybersecurity & Risk Management :
- Implement and enforce security policies and procedures to protect the organization's IT assets and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
- Lead implementation of cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST).
- Coordinate vulnerability assessments, endpoint security, firewalls, and disaster recovery drills.
- Backup & Recovery Management :
- Oversee the strategy and execution of data backup, recovery, and business continuity processes.
- Develop, implement, and regularly test comprehensive disaster recovery and business continuity plans to minimize downtime and ensure business resilience.
- End-User Support :
- Ensure the provision of effective and timely end-user technical support, establishing clear service level agreements and driving continuous improvement in support processes.
- Team Management & Development :
- Lead a distributed IT infrastructure team across sites and plants.
- Recruit, mentor, and develop IT infrastructure staff, building a skilled and engaged team capable of meeting current and future challenges.
- Set KRAs, conduct performance reviews, and build talent pipelines.
- Provide strong leadership and direction to the Infrastructure and Operations teams, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and service-oriented culture.
- Project Management :
- Lead and manage IT infrastructure projects, including system upgrades, migrations, integrations, and new technology deployments, ensuring on-time and within-budget delivery.
- Communication & Collaboration :
- Effectively communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences, and collaborate effectively with other departments and stakeholders.
- Vendor & Cost Management :
- Manage relationships with IT vendors, ensuring service level agreements are met, cost-effectiveness, and strategic alignment.
- Optimize infrastructure cost through consolidation and automation initiatives.
Qualifications & Experience
- B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science/IT or related field
- 12-18 years of experience in IT infrastructure, including 5+ years in leadership role within a large organization.
- Pharma or process manufacturing industry experience is a strong plus
- Relevant industry certifications (e.g., ITIL, PMP, Security Certifications)
- sKnowledge of GxP, 21 CFR Part 11, CSV, GAMP5 and Data Integrity (ALCOA+)
Please Note: Working Days
- 6 days a week
- Second & Third Saturday is an holiday (ref:hirist.tech)
