Manager - Purchase (Retail Pharmacy Background MUST)

Job Title: Manager Purchase (Retail Pharmacy)

Department: Supply Chain / Procurement

Reporting To: Head Procurement / Supply Chain Head

Job Purpose

The Manager Purchase will be responsible for planning, sourcing, negotiating, and procuring pharmaceutical products, OTC products, wellness products, medical devices, and healthcare consumables for the retail pharmacy business. The role will focus on ensuring product availability, optimizing procurement costs, maintaining supplier relationships, and supporting business growth through effective inventory and purchasing strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Vendor Management

• Manage end-to-end procurement of pharmaceutical products, OTC medicines, healthcare products, nutraceuticals, medical devices, and consumables.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers, distributors, stockists, and suppliers.
• Negotiate pricing, commercial terms, trade schemes, credit periods, and annual contracts to maximize profitability.
• Identify and onboard new vendors to expand product assortment and improve commercial terms.
• Conduct periodic vendor performance reviews and ensure service-level compliance.

Inventory Planning & Availability

• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Category, and Operations teams to ensure optimum inventory levels across stores and warehouses.
• Monitor stock availability and proactively manage replenishment to prevent stock-outs and excess inventory.
• Drive inventory optimization initiatives, including reduction of slow-moving and non-moving stock.
• Analyze demand patterns and seasonal trends to support procurement planning.

Commercial & Cost Optimization

• Achieve procurement savings through strategic sourcing and vendor negotiations.
• Manage trade margins, rebates, promotional schemes, and commercial agreements.
• Evaluate procurement opportunities to improve gross margins and working capital efficiency.
• Monitor market pricing and competitor activities to ensure commercial competitiveness.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze procurement trends, purchase performance, stock coverage, expiry risks, and supplier performance metrics.
• Prepare MIS reports, dashboards, and procurement performance reviews for management.
• Leverage data analytics to support decision-making and purchasing strategies.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure procurement practices comply with applicable pharmaceutical regulations and company policies.
• Coordinate with Quality Assurance teams to ensure procurement from authorized and compliant suppliers.
• Monitor product documentation, licenses, certifications, and statutory requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Category Management, Supply Chain, Warehouse, Finance, Operations, and Store Teams.
• Support new product launches, promotional campaigns, and business expansion initiatives.
• Participate in demand forecasting and assortment planning exercises.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharm), Life Sciences, Commerce, or related discipline.
• MBA / PGDM in Supply Chain, Operations, Procurement, or Marketing preferred.

Experience

• 610 years of experience in Procurement, Purchase, Category Buying, or Supply Chain within Retail Pharmacy, Healthcare Retail, Pharmaceutical Distribution, or FMCG sectors.
• Strong experience in pharmaceutical product procurement and vendor negotiations.
• Experience handling large procurement budgets and supplier networks.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical supply chain and retail pharmacy operations.
• Excellent negotiation and commercial acumen.
• Vendor management and relationship-building skills.
• Inventory planning and demand forecasting knowledge.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency in ERP systems, procurement platforms, and MS Excel.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Product availability and service levels.
• Procurement savings and margin improvement.
• Inventory turnover and stock cover.
• Reduction in stock-outs and excess inventory.
• Vendor performance and compliance scores.
• Working capital optimization.
• Expiry and dead stock reduction.

Preferred Industry Background

Candidates should have experience in:

• Retail Pharmacy Chains
• Pharmaceutical Distribution
• Healthcare Retail
• Pharmacy Procurement & Category Management

Experience with leading pharmacy retail organizations, pharmaceutical distributors, or healthcare retail businesses will be highly preferred.