Industry Development Planner: Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals

Synopsis

• Formulate and support IDC industry development strategies for the pharmaceuticals and chemicals industries (including petrochemical industries), with a focus on local productive capacity, competitiveness and sustainable industrial development
• Identify and unlock opportunities across pharmaceuticals and chemicals value chains, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, active pharmaceutical ingredients, petrochemicals, biofuels, medicinal chemicals, medical technologies, basic and specialty chemicals, industrial chemicals, plastics, rubber and recycling
• Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships with government, regulators, industry associations, research institutions, manufacturers, investors and relevant IDC business units.
• Position the IDC as a thought leader by identifying market opportunities, policy and regulatory levers, localisation priorities, technology shifts and cross-sector linkages to enable development of the ecosystems
• Work with Strategic Business Units (SBUs) and Research and Information to inform industry priorities and investment opportunities that support resilient, inclusive and sustainable value chains
• Develop new plans and position papers aligned to IDC sustainable industrialisation pathways.
• Define implementation plans for immediate, emerging and longer-term pharmaceuticals and chemicals, petrochemicals and biofuels development priorities working with stakeholders leveraging on existing industry plans.
• Collaborate across SBUs and teams to influence thinking and support delivery of pharmaceuticals and chemicals industry development plans

Job Description

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Internal / Operational Processes

• Lead the formulation of pharmaceuticals and chemicals industry roadmaps, identifying short-, medium- and long-term priorities across relevant value chains and subsectors
• Develop implementation plans with SBUs and project teams to support localisation, import replacement, export growth, technology upgrading, sustainability and investment pipeline development
• Compile analytical frameworks covering demand trends, market structure, production capabilities, trade flows, regulatory requirements, technology shifts, competitiveness constraints and investment opportunities
• Provide industry insights to SBU Heads and Project Heads to influence short- to medium-term industry development strategies and support strategic project origination
• Monitor actual versus anticipated development trajectories and recommend corrective measures, including revisions to strategies, focus areas and action plans
• Lead or participate in industry development steering committees, forums, task teams and stakeholder platforms to inform sector initiatives and support implementation
• Engage Operations, Support Units and external stakeholders to execute, update and refine pharmaceuticals and chemicals development strategies
• Identify and manage regulatory, market, supply chain, environmental, technology and implementation risks
• Guide Client Support and Growth teams and SBUs to align investee company activities with broader industry development goals
• Participate in ad hoc strategic interventions to address urgent challenges or opportunities in pharmaceuticals, chemicals and related value chains

Customer Focus & Stakeholder Management

Engage relevant industry and government stakeholders and represent the IDC in internal and external forums to:

• influence forum goals, objectives, activities and initiatives in support of IDC industry development goals
• learn from industry stakeholders and participating parties
• support a conducive environment for industry and subsector growth
• Clearly communicate industry strategies within the IDC and to external stakeholders, including through articles, conferences and social media
• Ensure service excellence

Learning, Leadership & People Growth

• Contribute to organisational knowledge and capability in pharmaceuticals and chemicals industries
• Coach and mentor peers
• Keep abreast of industry developments through conferences, sector forums, literature reviews and internal IDC engagement
• Lead and participate in team and cross-functional knowledge sharing

Qualification and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS (Formal qualifications)

• Relevant postgraduate qualification in economics, industrial policy, engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, life sciences, business, development finance or a related field

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• 8-10 years’ industry experience, including strategy development and implementation across pharmaceuticals and chemicals, or closely related manufacturing industries
• Strong understanding of pharmaceuticals and chemicals value chains, including inputs, manufacturing capabilities, technology requirements, regulatory frameworks, market dynamics, trade patterns, sustainability requirements and localisation opportunities
• Sound knowledge of global and regional value chains, industrial competitiveness, policy instruments, standards and future technologies relevant to both industries
• Balanced expertise across both of the following would be an added advantage:
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing, active pharmaceutical ingredients, medicinal chemicals, vaccines, biotechnology, medical technologies or health-related manufacturing
• Basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, petrochemicals including biofuels, green chemicals, plastics, rubber, recycling, industrial minerals or related chemicals value chains
• Good networks across industry, government, regulators, research institutions, industry associations, manufacturers and investors
• Experience in coaching and mentoring team members

Roles and Responsibilities

TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Pharmaceuticals and chemicals industry development
• Value chain analysis and opportunity identification
• Implementation planning and execution
• Micro- and macro-economic thinking
• Strategic and forward-looking thinking
• Policy, regulatory and stakeholder analysis
• Stakeholder management and partnership development
• Innovation and problem solving

Roles and Responsibilities (cont.)

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Presentation and communication skills
• Negotiation skills
• Relationship building and networking skills
• Persuading and influencing skills
• Coaching and mentoring
• Leading and co-ordinating
• Ability to work effectively within teams

Posting End Date

• 09 Oct 2026