Technical Director, China– API Trading
Location: China (Shanghai/Beijing/Guangzhou)
Reports To: Group CFO & Board (Singapore HQ)
About the Business
Our client is a
leading pharmaceutical company with a growing API trading division.
Their expertise currently focuses on
analgesic APIs
, with plans to expand into a broader range of therapeutic areas. They
work with both domestic and international partners
to deliver high-quality APIs that meet the strict regulatory requirements of the
Chinese market.
Role Overview
The Technical Director will be the
technical backbone of the API trading business, supporting customers throughout the entire product development lifecycle
— from early R&D through regulatory registration and product launch. This role requires
deep pharmaceutical R&D expertise
, a thorough
understanding of the Chinese drug development and registration process
, and the ability to act as a
trusted technical advisor to its customers and internal teams
.
Key Performance Indicators
- Number of new APIs
successfully registered in China. - Customer satisfaction
and retention. - Timely and effective resolution
of technical issues. - Successful technical support
for new product launches. - Expansion of API portfolio beyond analgesics
.
Qualifications & Experience
- PhD in pharmaceutical sciences,
medicinal chemistry, or a related discipline preferred. - Extensive R&D experience in the pharmaceutical industry
, with a deep understanding of the product development lifecycle in China. - Strong knowledge of Chinese regulatory requirements for
APIs
and drug product registration. - Proven track record
of working with hospital R&D teams, pharmaceutical manufacturers, or research institutes. - Mandarin fluency is essential; strong English skills
preferred. - Ability to travel
domestically and internationally as required.
Key Responsibilities
- Engage with customers from early-stage R&D through to commercial launch
, ensuring all API sourcing and delivery meets customer specifications and Chinese regulatory standards. - Provide technical guidance to customers on API selection
, formulation considerations, and manufacturing process requirements. - Assist the regulatory team with API registration and related filings
, ensuring timely and compliant submissions. - Support the expansion of the API portfolio beyond analgesics
, identifying new opportunities in additional therapeutic areas. - Liaise with overseas API manufacturers
to ensure quality, compliance, and suitability for the Chinese market. - Act as a bridge
between customers, sales, regulatory, and supply chain teams to ensure smooth technical execution of projects. - Attend customer site visits
, industry conferences, and technical meetings as required. - Maintain strong relationships within the pharmaceutical R&D community, API manufacturing sector
, research institutes, and regulatory bodies.