Purchase Head
This role is for one of the Weekday's clients
Salary range: Rs 2000000 - Rs 7000000 (ie INR 20-70 LPA)
Experience: 10+ yrs
Location: Mumbai
Job Type: full-time
We are seeking an experienced Purchase Head to lead and strengthen the procurement function for R&D and product development operations. This role is responsible for driving strategic sourcing, vendor management, procurement planning, and supply continuity for critical materials including APIs, excipients, intermediates, specialty chemicals, and research-related inputs.
As a senior procurement leader, you will play a key role in ensuring timely availability of materials required for research, development, scale-up, and commercial operations while maintaining cost efficiency, quality standards, and regulatory compliance. The role requires a strong understanding of pharmaceutical and chemical sourcing markets, supplier ecosystems, commercial negotiations, and procurement best practices.
You will work closely with R&D, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, finance, and supply chain teams to establish a robust procurement framework that supports innovation, operational excellence, and business growth.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end procurement activities for APIs, excipients, intermediates, specialty chemicals, laboratory materials, and R&D consumables.
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with organizational objectives and product development timelines.
- Build and manage a reliable supplier network to ensure uninterrupted material availability and competitive pricing.
- Negotiate commercial agreements, pricing structures, payment terms, and supply contracts with domestic and international vendors.
- Collaborate closely with R&D teams to understand evolving material requirements and identify suitable sourcing options.
- Evaluate supplier capabilities, quality standards, regulatory compliance, and risk factors before onboarding.
- Drive vendor performance management through regular reviews of quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness.
- Monitor market trends, raw material pricing, supplier developments, and emerging sourcing opportunities.
- Establish procurement policies, SOPs, and governance frameworks to improve efficiency and compliance.
- Ensure timely procurement planning to avoid project delays and production disruptions.
- Partner with finance and supply chain teams to optimize inventory levels, working capital, and procurement costs.
- Identify alternate sourcing strategies and contingency plans to mitigate supply risks.
- Lead procurement budgeting, forecasting, and reporting activities for senior management.
- Mentor and develop procurement teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
What Makes You a Great Fit
- 10+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain management within pharmaceuticals, chemicals, life sciences, or related industries.
- Strong expertise in sourcing APIs, excipients, intermediates, specialty chemicals, and R&D materials.
- Proven experience managing strategic procurement functions and supplier relationships.
- Excellent commercial negotiation and contract management skills.
- Strong understanding of pharmaceutical procurement practices, regulatory requirements, and quality standards.
- Ability to balance cost optimization with quality, compliance, and supply continuity.
- Experience handling both domestic and international sourcing operations.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate across multiple functions.
- Proven leadership experience in managing procurement teams and driving organizational procurement strategies.
Preferred Skills
- Purchase Management
- R&D Procurement
- API Sourcing
- Excipients Procurement
- Intermediates Sourcing
- Vendor Development
- Strategic Sourcing
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Contract Negotiation
- Procurement Planning
- Supply Chain Management
- Cost Optimization
