Apollo 24|7 - Head - IT & Operational Excellence

Role : Head - IT & Operational Excellence

Department : CEOs Office

Exp : 15+ years

Location : Hyderabad

Reporting To : CEO

Team Size : Team to be formed

Employment Type : Full-Time

Industry : Pharmaceutical / Healthcare Distribution / Wholesale / Retail

Travel Requirement : 30-40%

Role Overview

- We are looking for an experienced Head - IT & Operational Excellence to drive process standardization, continuous improvement, supply chain efficiency and enterprise-wide technology transformation.

- Reporting directly to the CEO, the role will be responsible for standardizing warehousing and order-processing operations across 100+ Distribution Centres (DCs), driving Lean Six Sigma-led operational excellence initiatives and conceptualizing and implementing IT applications aligned with standardized business processes.
- The incumbent will also play a key role in the rollout of a new ERP platform and leverage technology to enable scalable, consistent and efficient operations across the organization.
Key Responsibilities

Operational Excellence & Process Standardization:
- Standardize warehousing and order-processing processes across 100+ Distribution Centres.

- Continually improve customer service metrics through rigorous application of Lean Six Sigma and structured business-process improvement methodologies.

- Identify supply chain cost-reduction opportunities through detailed diagnosis of supply chain costs and internal/external benchmarking.

- Convert identified cost-saving opportunities into structured operational excellence projects.

- Set up and guide process-improvement teams across the organization.

- Train project teams on Lean Six Sigma methodologies and ensure successful completion and realization of improvement initiatives.

- Drive continuous improvement programs across operations and partner ecosystems.
IT Transformation & ERP Implementation
- Take overall responsibility for conceptualizing and implementing IT applications aligned with standardized business processes.

- Lead and facilitate the rollout of a new enterprise-wide ERP system.

- Enable process standardization and operational consistency through adoption of the common ERP platform.

- Work closely with operations teams, subsidiary partners and relevant stakeholders to ensure successful technology adoption and execution.

- Drive alignment between business requirements, process transformation and technology implementation.
General Skills
- Strong influencing and stakeholder-management capabilities, with the ability to drive execution across operations teams and subsidiary partners.

- High levels of integrity, openness and transparency.

- Strong results and outcome orientation.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

- Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration capabilities.
Technical Skills

- Strong expertise in Lean Six Sigma, with Black Belt or Master Black Belt certification.

- Strong analytical skills with hands-on experience in extracting insights from large and complex datasets.

- Direct exposure to multi-site ERP implementation programs.

- Experience in managing Continuous Improvement / Operational Excellence deployments.

- Understanding of the pharmaceutical business and associated distribution ecosystem.
Desired Candidate Profile
- Minimum 5 years of experience in an IT function within Wholesale / Distribution / Retail, preferably within the pharmaceutical industry.

- Demonstrated experience in deploying or participating in Lean Six Sigma transformation programs.

- Prior experience as part of an ERP implementation team.

- Experience driving Operational Excellence / Continuous Improvement initiatives across multiple sites or business units.

- Experience working in complex distribution, warehousing or supply chain environments would be highly preferred.

- Ability to operate in a senior, high-impact role directly interfacing with executive leadership.
Qualifications
- B.Tech / B.E. in IT - Mandatory

- MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification - Preferred
Reporting Structure

Reports To: CEO

Direct Reports: Team to be formed
Travel - The role requires approximately 30-40% travel based on business and operational requirements.