Chief Operating Officer
Vaidyaratnam • Kerala
About the Role A commercial leader from FMCG, Pharma, Retail or Manufacturing to run Vaidyaratnam's healthcare services vertical across multiple locations — full accountability for growth, operations and P&L. We are hiring a commercial operator to bring rigour into healthcare, NOT a healthcare manager. Hard requirements — a candidate missing any of these is not a fit: 1. 15+ yrs in FMCG / Pharma / Retail / Manufacturing. NGO, donor-funded, programme and public-health backgrounds do not count, and healthcare experience is not a substitute. 2. Fluent Malayalam. 3. In Kerala, or willing to relocate. 4. End-to-end business P&L ownership incl. EBITDA, budget and cost optimisation. Revenue or sales-target ownership alone does not qualify. Key Responsibilities Strategic Planning & Business Growth Define and execute the business growth strategy aligned with organisational goals Identify and evaluate new market opportunities, partnerships, and expansion models Drive geographic expansion and oversee the setup of new units and centres Develop scalable and sustainable business models, including asset-light formats where relevant Translate strategy into clear execution roadmaps with measurable outcomes Operations Management Oversee operations across multiple healthcare facilities including hospitals, clinics, and centres Establish and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to improve consistency and scalability Drive operational efficiency, service quality, and patient experience across all locations Monitor performance metrics and implement continuous improvement initiatives Ensure operational readiness for new launches and expansions Financial & Commercial Management Own the P&L and financial performance of the business Drive revenue growth, cost optimisation, and profitability improvement Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes Build strong performance tracking mechanisms and dashboards Ensure long-term financial sustainability and scalability of operations Leadership & Organisation Building Lead and manage cross-functional teams across operations, clinical, and support functions Build and develop a high-performance leadership team Drive a culture of accountability, collaboration, and customer-centricity Strengthen organisational structure, talent capability, and succession planning Manage large, diverse teams across multiple locations Stakeholder Management Work closely with senior leadership, promoters, and key stakeholders Collaborate effectively with HR, Finance, Marketing, and Clinical teams Manage relationships with external partners, vendors, and service providers Ensure alignment across stakeholders for seamless execution of business priorities Governance & Compliance Ensure adherence to all regulatory, statutory, and quality standards Implement strong governance, risk management, and compliance frameworks Maintain operational integrity and high standards of service delivery and safety Requirements MBA / Postgraduate degree in Management, Healthcare, or related field preferred 15+ years of experience in leadership roles Proven track record of business growth, operational leadership, and team management MANDATORY: FMCG, Pharma, Retail or Manufacturing background (see hard requirements above). Preferred Qualifications Experience working in promoter-led or entrepreneurial environments Exposure to expansion initiatives, partnerships, or joint ventures Strong on-ground leadership presence with the ability to manage diverse teams MANDATORY: Fluent Malayalam; based in or relocating to Kerala. Success Metrics Achievement of business growth and expansion targets Improvement in profitability and operational efficiency Successful rollout of new centres / expansion initiatives within timelines and budgets High standards of service quality and customer experience Strong team engagement, retention, and leadership bench strength
