Ajith Kumar : A Leader Shaping Precision, Quality & Excellence In Pharma Operations
Ajith Kumar
Director – Operations
Their ability to combine technical mastery with people leadership ensures that organizations not only meet stringent global standards but also remain agile in responding to evolving market demands. Among such distinguished leaders is Ajith Kumar, Director of Operations at Schott Poonawalla, whose career exemplifies the power of functional excellence shaping organizational success.
With over 33 years of professional experience, Ajith Kumar began his journey as a project engineer in electrical and automation, contributing to large-scale industrial projects including the Jamnagar refinery and Birla Copper plant.
In 2000, he joined Kaisha Manufacturers Pvt. Ltd., now known as Schott Poonawalla, as an automation engineer responsible for managing highly advanced European production lines. Over the years, his career progressed across multiple functions, including production, maintenance, projects, Lean management, and quality systems, where he also served as a Management Representative for Quality Management System. A Six Sigma Green Belt, he has consistently driven efficiency and process excellence.
Today, as Director of Operations, Ajith Kumar oversees manufacturing across three key units in Jambusar (Gujarat), Umarsadi (Gujarat), and Baddi (Himachal Pradesh). He also leads the New Product Development function, spear heading innovation aligned with evolving pharmaceutical industry requirements, reinforcing his position as a dynamic functional leader in the pharma ecosystem.
How has your leadership philosophy evolved while managing operations in a highly regulated pharma environment?
Over the years, my leadership philosophy has evolved around two core pillars - technical expertise and people management. I firmly believe that to lead effectively, one must first be strong in their domain and
bring depth of knowledge to the table. At the same time working in a highly regulated pharma environment demands unwavering integrity trust and consistency.
I focus on leading by example, demon -strating honesty, and respecting the expertise that each team member brings. Managing diverse teams - from shop floor operators to highly experienced professionals and scientists, requires a high degree of emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills, which I continuously strive to develop and apply in my leadership approach.
How do you balance operational efficiency with uncompromising quality standards in a precision-driven, regulated industry?
In pharmaceutical packaging, I firmly believe that quality is non-negotiable. To balance efficiency with strict compliance, I rely extensively on automation and advanced inspection systems that significantly reduce the risk of human error.
At the same time, I place strong emphasis on continuous training and skill development so that our teams can effectively operate and manage these sophisticated systems. For me, it is this combination of a robust quality culture and the right use of technology that enables us to achieve high operational efficiency without ever compromising on quality standards.
Could you share a critical moment that influenced your growth as a leader?
Rather than a single defining moment, I would say my growth as a leader has been shaped by continuously taking on complex responsi -bilities across different functions. One of the most significant phases was transitioning from a purely technical role to leading large and diverse teams.
This shift required a change in mindset, especially when managing individuals who, in some areas, had deeper expertise than me. It taught me the importance of humility, mutual respect, and building trust. These experiences have played a crucial role in shaping my leadership style and approach over the years.
How has your educational background shaped your success, and what skills are essential for future pharma leaders?
My educational background in electrical and electronics engineering provided a strong foundation in automation and manufacturing, which has been instrumental throughout my career. However, beyond tech
I focus on leading by example, demon -strating honesty, and respecting the expertise that each team member brings. Managing diverse teams - from shop floor operators to highly experienced professionals and scientists, requires a high degree of emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills, which I continuously strive to develop and apply in my leadership approach.
I focus on leading by example, demonstrating honesty, and respecting the expertise that each team member brings
How do you balance operational efficiency with uncompromising quality standards in a precision-driven, regulated industry?
In pharmaceutical packaging, I firmly believe that quality is non-negotiable. To balance efficiency with strict compliance, I rely extensively on automation and advanced inspection systems that significantly reduce the risk of human error.
At the same time, I place strong emphasis on continuous training and skill development so that our teams can effectively operate and manage these sophisticated systems. For me, it is this combination of a robust quality culture and the right use of technology that enables us to achieve high operational efficiency without ever compromising on quality standards.
Could you share a critical moment that influenced your growth as a leader?
Rather than a single defining moment, I would say my growth as a leader has been shaped by continuously taking on complex responsi -bilities across different functions. One of the most significant phases was transitioning from a purely technical role to leading large and diverse teams.
This shift required a change in mindset, especially when managing individuals who, in some areas, had deeper expertise than me. It taught me the importance of humility, mutual respect, and building trust. These experiences have played a crucial role in shaping my leadership style and approach over the years.
How has your educational background shaped your success, and what skills are essential for future pharma leaders?
My educational background in electrical and electronics engineering provided a strong foundation in automation and manufacturing, which has been instrumental throughout my career. However, beyond tech
- nical knowledge, I believe future leaders in pharma operations must develop a well-rounded skill set.
Deep domain expertise is critical, but equally important are integrity and ethical values, especially in a regulated industry. I also see emotional intelligence, strong interpersonal and management skills, and a solid cross-functional understanding as essential capabilities that enable leaders to navigate complexity and drive sustainable success.
How do you foster innovation while ensuring strict regulatory compliance?
I foster innovation by creating structured platforms such as our dedicated New Product Development (NPD) function, which focuses on developing solutions aligned with evolving pharmaceutical needs. With the rise of new and complex molecules we continuously work on enhancing packaging quality and performance.
At the same time I ensure that all innovation strictly adheres to regulatory requirements and established quality standards. Staying updated is equally important, so I actively engage with professional bodies like PDA and leverage insights from our global R&D collaborations. This balanced approach helps us drive continuous improvement without compromising com - pliance.
What advice would you give to aspiring professionals aiming for a career in pharmaceutical operations and leadership?
My advice to aspiring professionals is to first focus on becoming a subject matter expert by building strong technical competency in your chosen field. In an industry like pharma, this foundation is essential. Equally important is developing leadership qualities such as integrity, honesty, and ethical decision making, especially given the critical importance of data integrity.
Beyond that, I encourage individuals to strengthen their management capabilities, emotional intelligence and cross-functional understanding. These combined skills will not only help in career growth but also prepare them to take on leadership roles with confidence and responsibility.
Ajith Kumar, Director – Operations, Schott Poonawalla
Ajith Kumar is the Director of Operations at Schott Poonawalla with over 33 years of experience in automation, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical packaging. He leads multi-location operations and drives innovation through new product development, combining technical expertise, quality focus, and strong leadership to deliver excellence in a highly regulated industry.
Deep domain expertise is critical, but equally important are integrity and ethical values, especially in a regulated industry. I also see emotional intelligence, strong interpersonal and management skills, and a solid cross-functional understanding as essential capabilities that enable leaders to navigate complexity and drive sustainable success.
How do you foster innovation while ensuring strict regulatory compliance?
I foster innovation by creating structured platforms such as our dedicated New Product Development (NPD) function, which focuses on developing solutions aligned with evolving pharmaceutical needs. With the rise of new and complex molecules we continuously work on enhancing packaging quality and performance.
At the same time I ensure that all innovation strictly adheres to regulatory requirements and established quality standards. Staying updated is equally important, so I actively engage with professional bodies like PDA and leverage insights from our global R&D collaborations. This balanced approach helps us drive continuous improvement without compromising com - pliance.
What advice would you give to aspiring professionals aiming for a career in pharmaceutical operations and leadership?
My advice to aspiring professionals is to first focus on becoming a subject matter expert by building strong technical competency in your chosen field. In an industry like pharma, this foundation is essential. Equally important is developing leadership qualities such as integrity, honesty, and ethical decision making, especially given the critical importance of data integrity.
Beyond that, I encourage individuals to strengthen their management capabilities, emotional intelligence and cross-functional understanding. These combined skills will not only help in career growth but also prepare them to take on leadership roles with confidence and responsibility.
Ajith Kumar, Director – Operations, Schott Poonawalla
Ajith Kumar is the Director of Operations at Schott Poonawalla with over 33 years of experience in automation, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical packaging. He leads multi-location operations and drives innovation through new product development, combining technical expertise, quality focus, and strong leadership to deliver excellence in a highly regulated industry.