Distribution Manager - Pharmaceutical Company

Distribution Manager Pharmaceutical Company

Job Summary

We are looking for an experienced and hands-on Distribution Manager to manage the company's Central Warehouse, C&F operations and distribution network comprising super-stockists, stockists and distributors.

The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring product availability, efficient inventory management, timely order processing and dispatch, physician sample distribution, regulatory compliance and smooth distribution operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage overall distribution operations covering the Central Warehouse, C&Fs, super-stockists, stockists and distributors.
• Oversee Central Warehouse operations including receipt, storage, inventory control, picking, packing and dispatch of finished goods.
• Ensure proper storage, stock rotation and FEFO (First Expiry, First Out) practices.
• Ensure regular temperature and humidity monitoring and proper maintenance of records at the warehouse and applicable storage locations, in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, GSP and FDA requirements wherever applicable.
• Ensure monitoring equipment is properly calibrated and maintained and temperature/humidity excursions are appropriately documented and acted upon.
• Manage C&F operations and ensure timely receipt, storage, invoicing, dispatch and reconciliation of stocks.
• Manage and monitor stockists, distributors and super-stockists, ensuring adequate product availability and timely replenishment.
• Monitor inventory levels, stock ageing, slow/non-moving stock, near-expiry stock, expiry, returns, damages and discrepancies and take corrective action.
• Ensure timely and accurate order processing, billing, dispatch and delivery.
• Coordinate with Sales, Production, Purchase, Accounts and Logistics teams to ensure uninterrupted product availability.
• Work closely with the Sales Team to monitor primary/secondary sales, market requirements and distribution gaps.
• Manage the distribution of physician samples, monitor representative-wise sample stocks and utilization, and ensure proper reporting, reconciliation and control of samples distributed to doctors in accordance with company policies and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Monitor distributor-wise and product-wise stock movement and provide meaningful inputs to management.
• Manage expiry, sales returns, breakages and damaged goods, with proper documentation and reconciliation.
• Coordinate with transporters/logistics partners and monitor delivery timelines and distribution costs.
• Develop, implement and monitor warehouse and distribution SOPs and ensure proper documentation and compliance.
• Ensure readiness for internal, regulatory and other audits/inspections.
• Prepare and analyse regular MIS covering inventory, product availability, pending orders, dispatches, physician samples, expiry, returns, C&F performance and other distribution KPIs.

Candidate Profile

• 10 to 15 years of relevant experience, preferably in a branded-generics pharmaceutical company.
• Strong hands-on experience in Central Warehouse, C&F, stockist and distributor management.
• Good knowledge of pharmaceutical warehousing, distribution, inventory control, FEFO, GSP and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Experience in physician sample inventory, distribution, monitoring and reconciliation will be preferred.
• Experience in temperature/humidity monitoring, stock reconciliation, expiry and returns management.
• Strong analytical, coordination, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Good knowledge of MS Excel and ERP/distribution software.
• Should be hands-on, commercially aware, result-oriented and capable of independently driving issues to closure.
• Willingness to travel periodically to warehouse/C&F/distribution locations.

Location: Mumbai

Experience: 10-15 years

Qualification: Graduate in any discipline; MBA/PGDM in Supply Chain/Logistics preferred

Industry: Pharmaceutical Branded Generics

Reporting To: Senior Management / Head Sales & Distribution