Deputy General Manager - Production Planning & Inventory Control

Role Purpose:

To lead and manage production planning, scheduling, and inventory control activities for 6 API Manufacturing units, ensuring optimal resource utilization, timely order fulfilment, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:1. Production Planning & Scheduling:

• Develop and execute monthly, weekly, and daily production plans aligned with customer demand and capacity constraints.

• Coordinate with manufacturing, quality, and procurement teams to ensure smooth execution of production schedules.

• Optimize batch sequencing considering cleaning validation, campaign manufacturing, and product changeovers.

• Monitor production progress and adjust schedules based on deviations, breakdowns, or material shortages.

2. Inventory Management:

• Maintain optimal inventory levels of raw materials, intermediates, solvents, and finished APIs.

• Ensure compliance with FEFO/FIFO principles, especially for regulated markets.

• Minimize inventory carrying costs while preventing stock-outs.

• Monitor slow-moving, non-moving, and obsolete inventory and implement reduction strategies.

3. Material Planning & Coordination:

• Plan and track procurement of raw materials, packaging materials, and critical chemicals.

• Collaborate with procurement for timely availability of materials.

• Ensure availability of controlled substances and critical inputs with regulatory compliance.

4. Demand & Capacity Planning:

• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to forecast demand.

• Conduct capacity planning based on reactor availability, utilities, manpower, and campaign requirements.

• Identify bottlenecks and propose solutions to optimize throughput.

5. Compliance & Documentation:

• Ensure all planning and inventory activities comply with cGMP, USFDA, EU GMP, and other regulatory requirements.

• Maintain accurate documentation in ERP systems (E.g., SAP/Oracle, etc.).

• Ensure data integrity and audit readiness at all times.

6. ERP/System Management:

• Lead PPIC-related modules in ERP systems (e.g., SAP PP/MM).

• Ensure accurate master data (BOM, routings, lead times).

• Generate and analyse MIS reports for decision-making.

7. Cross-Functional Coordination:

• Liaise with QA/QC for batch release timelines and quality issues.

• Work with maintenance teams to factor downtime into planning.

• Coordinate with logistics for dispatch planning and export documentation.

8. Continuous Improvement:

• Drive initiatives to improve planning accuracy, reduce lead times, and optimize inventory.

• Implement lean practices and digital tools for enhanced visibility and control.

• Track KPIs such as OTIF, inventory turnover, adherence to plan, and capacity utilization.

9. Reporting / Dashboards:

• Publish Monthly, Quarterly and yearly reports preparation on above themes.