General Manager

Job Title: General Manager – Generic API Business

Location: India (Major Metro Preferred)

Travel Requirement: Up to 60%

Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Company:

Our client is a global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) developer and supplier with a rich, 40-year history in producing complex, niche, and hard-to-make APIs, including those for oncology and injectables. Headquartered in both the United States and India, the company serves a global customer base and is known for its technical excellence, high-quality manufacturing standards, and family-driven culture.

They are not a broker or distributor, but a true partner in API development and manufacturing, focused on long-term collaborations and value creation.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a commercially and operationally astute General Manager to help lead and grow the Indian arm of the business. This person will play a central role in expanding strategic partnerships, leading a team, and building the business for long-term sustainability.

This role is part of the company's leadership succession plan; the current Country Head has served for over 20 years and is expected to transition out in the foreseeable future. The General Manager role is therefore a grooming ground for future top leadership of the Indian operations.

This is a high-impact position for someone with a deep understanding of the API industry, excellent client-facing skills, and a strategic growth mindset. The role is remote-friendly, with travel required to customer sites, manufacturing locations, and international offices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead strategic and operational initiatives in India, managing a team of direct reports across commercial, technical, and support functions.
• Drive business growth through value-based selling, emphasizing the company's technical strength and global capabilities—not transactional sales.
• Open doors and build strong relationships with key global pharmaceutical clients, including C-suite and VP-level stakeholders.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities across oncology, injectables, and other high-value API segments.
• Act as a bridge between Indian operations and global business development teams, especially in the US.
• Travel for business development, client meetings, plant visits, and international collaboration.
• Monitor industry trends, regulatory shifts, and market needs to shape strategic direction.
• Prepare to eventually take over as Country Head – India, ensuring a seamless leadership transition.

Qualifications:

• 10–15 years of leadership experience in the API/pharmaceutical industry, including at least 5 years in a senior commercial or general management role.
• Proven success in managing and growing international API client relationships.
• Strong knowledge of the API development and manufacturing lifecycle, particularly in oncology and injectables.
• Excellent business acumen with strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to travel up to 60%, both within India and internationally.
• Demonstrated leadership experience with direct reports and cross-functional teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to balance strategy with execution.

What We Offer:

• A clear path to Country Head leadership
• Dynamic and global work environment
• Opportunity to represent a respected, long-standing API manufacturer with global reach
• Competitive compensation and growth potential
• Family-oriented company culture with a strong emphasis on values, trust, and long-term relationships

How to Apply:

• Interested candidates should apply with submitting a resume. Experience in APIs is vital