The Chief Operating Officer (COO) is a key member of the Executive Leadership Team responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership across all business functions to ensure sustainable growth, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and profitability. The COO oversees manufacturing, supply chain, commercial operations, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, procurement, engineering, distribution, and customer service, ensuring the company consistently delivers high-quality pharmaceutical products while meeting all regulatory and ethical standards.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with the company's vision, mission, and strategic objectives.
Lead the execution of corporate strategy and monitor organizational performance.
Drive business growth, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Advise the CEO and Board on operational risks, opportunities, and strategic priorities.
Lead organizational transformation and change management initiatives.
Operations Management
Provide executive oversight of pharmaceutical manufacturing, supply chain, procurement, logistics, engineering, quality operations, regulatory affairs, and commercial support functions.
Ensure efficient utilization of resources while maintaining product quality and regulatory compliance.
Develop and monitor operational performance indicators and implement corrective actions where necessary.
Ensure business continuity and operational resilience.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain
Ensure uninterrupted manufacturing operations that comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
Oversee procurement, production planning, warehousing, inventory management, and nationwide product distribution.
Optimize supply chain performance to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure product availability.
Strengthen supplier and contract manufacturing relationships.
Quality & Regulatory Compliance
Ensure compliance with national and international pharmaceutical regulations.
Promote a culture of quality throughout the organization.
Ensure successful regulatory inspections, audits, and certification activities.
Support implementation of quality improvement initiatives and risk management programs.
Commercial Support
Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Medical Affairs, and Business Development teams to support product launches and market expansion.
Ensure operational readiness for new product introductions.
Support customer satisfaction through efficient order fulfillment and service delivery.
Financial Management
Develop and manage operational budgets and capital expenditure plans.
Drive cost optimization and productivity improvements without compromising quality.
Monitor profitability, operational costs, and return on investment.
Support long-term financial planning and resource allocation.
Leadership & Talent Management
Lead, mentor, and develop senior managers across operational functions.
Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
Drive succession planning and leadership development.
Promote employee engagement, diversity, inclusion, and workplace safety.
Risk Management & Governance
Identify and mitigate operational, financial, regulatory, and supply chain risks.
Ensure compliance with corporate governance policies and ethical business practices.
Oversee environmental, health, safety, and sustainability initiatives.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medicine, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Life Sciences, Business Administration, or a related field.
MBA or Master's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline is highly preferred.
Professional registration with relevant regulatory or professional bodies is an advantage.
Experience
Minimum of 8 years of progressive leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
At least 3 - 5 years in a senior executive leadership role overseeing multiple operational functions.
Demonstrated success in pharmaceutical manufacturing, commercial operations, supply chain, quality systems, and regulatory compliance.
Proven experience leading organizational growth, operational transformation, and cross-functional teams.
Required Skills
Strategic leadership and business planning.
Strong commercial and financial acumen.
Deep knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chain management.
Thorough understanding of GMP, GDP, GLP, GSP, pharmacovigilance, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Budgeting, financial analysis, and cost optimization.
Project and change management.
Risk management and business continuity planning.
Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving capabilities.
Exceptional communication and executive presentation skills.
Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) and business intelligence tools.
Salary: Salary Plus Commission above 600k