Manager- Pharmacy Operations

Job Description

The Pharmacy Operations Manager runs JRPLs chain of pharmacies end to end: daily outlet operations, regulatory compliance, inventory, sales and the pharmacy team.

The role makes sure every outlet is fully licensed and compliant, has the right medicines in stock without expiry losses, and grows sales and margin through good customer service.

Key responsibilities

1. Outlet operations

• Oversee daily operations of all pharmacy outlets: opening/closing, staffing, billing, cash handling and customer service.
• Set and enforce SOPs for prescription handling, dispensing, storage, returns and customer counselling.
• Ensure a registered pharmacist is on duty during all working hours at every outlet.
• Conduct regular outlet visits and audits; close gaps on time.
• Plan new pharmacy openings: licensing, layout, opening stock and staffing.

2. Regulatory compliance

• Keep drug licences (retail sale licences, Form 20/21 or as applicable) and pharmacist registrations current for all outlets.
• Ensure compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules, including Schedule H, H1 and X record-keeping and prescription retention.
• Control narcotic and psychotropic drugs under the NDPS Act; maintain registers and secure storage.
• Ensure correct storage conditions: temperature logs, cold chain for vaccines, insulin and biologicals.
• Coordinate inspections by the Drugs Control Department and resolve observations promptly.

3. Inventory & purchase

• Plan purchase and replenishment with distributors and the central warehouse based on sales, seasonality and local prescription patterns.
• Negotiate trade terms, schemes and credit with distributors and manufacturers.
• Manage near-expiry and expired stock: FEFO, timely returns to distributors and expiry claims.
• Control shrinkage through stock audits, batch tracking and reconciliation in the pharmacy software.
• Drive generic, private-label and OTC/FMCG mix to improve margins.

4. Sales & customer growth

• Own sales, gross margin and expense budgets for the pharmacy chain.
• Build repeat business through chronic-care customers, refill reminders, home delivery and loyalty programmes.
• Build relationships with local doctors, clinics and hospitals.
• Plan promotions, health camps and seasonal campaigns with marketing.
• Expand OTC, wellness, personal care and surgical/medical device categories.

5. People leadership

• Recruit, train and develop pharmacists and pharmacy staff; plan manpower and shift rosters.
• Train staff on dispensing accuracy, regulations, product knowledge and customer service.
• Drive grooming, discipline, performance reviews and retention with HR.

Education & registration

• B.Pharm / M.Pharm (D.Pharm with strong chain experience may be considered).
• Registered pharmacist with the Kerala State Pharmacy Council (or eligible to register).
• MBA in Operations / Retail is an advantage.

Experience

• Pharmacy retail chain operations, ideally multi-outlet in Kerala or South India.
• Hands-on handling of drug licensing, Drugs Control inspections and Schedule H/H1/X compliance.
• Experience managing distributor relationships, purchase and expiry returns.

Skills & tools

• Pharmacy ERP / billing software (e.g., Marg, GoFrugal, SAP or similar).
• Strong Excel and MIS reporting.
• Sound knowledge of drugs, generics, substitutes and OTC products.
• Team leadership, customer handling and problem solving.
• English and Malayalam required; Tamil preferred.

Competencies

• Compliance mindset — treats regulations and patient safety as non-negotiable.
• Operational control — runs many outlets through SOPs, audits and data.
• Commercial sense — grows sales and margin while cutting expiry and shrinkage.
• Customer focus — builds trust with patients and doctors.
• People leadership — builds a reliable, well-trained pharmacy team.

What we offer

• Leadership of a growing pharmacy chain within a multi-format Kerala retail group.
• Room to shape new outlets, private label and services such as home delivery.
• Competitive salary (CTC range to be confirmed) and performance-linked incentives.