Orion’s India location was established in 2008. Initially the unit employed just two people, but it soon developed into a location with dozens of employees. In 2012, the country organisation was renamed FinOrion Pharma India.
Today, Orion’s India location has more than 150 employees, and their number is growing steadily year after year. The India unit is Orion’s second largest operation after Finland, and it supports most of Orion’s Businesses.
“The India location is like a small Orion. India office has 12 different functions like Regulatory, Pharmaceutical, Packaging Technology, Procurement, Quality Assurance, EHS, Generic Product development, Business Support, Launch, Creative Design, IM and HR. The main purpose of the India office is to strengthen value chain of Orion and strengthen operational excellence in all the functions,” says Samrudhi Utturkar, Country Director, India.
Focus on the supply chain and R&D
The largest teams in India support the supply chain and research and development activities. In terms of the supply chain, the Indian team participates in the procurement of licensed products and pharmaceutical raw materials, and it also caters to Orion’s own production needs in Finland. In R&D, the Indian team supports the development of generic products and maintains for example marketing authorisations.
“Our quality assurance team audits partners’ operations from a GMP* and EHS** perspective, and the packaging materials team is involved in updating package labelling and leaflets. In addition, our India location has its own HR, and Administration departments,” says Utturkar.
*Good Manufacturing Practice
**Environment, Health and Safety
Attraction and long careers
For Indians, gaining new knowledge and skills is important, and people typically change jobs and roles quite often. However, careers at FinOrion Pharma India have been long:
“I have been with Orion for 10 years, and we have many others with long histories with the company. Transparency in management, diverse job roles and job rotation opportunities and excellent work life balance keep our talented people here for the long haul.”
Utturkar says there is an atmosphere of psychological safety at Orion’s India location: people dare to ask for help and also speak up if they have made a mistake.
“Our operations are founded on Orion’s values, which are reflected in both our working culture and our day-to-day work. Mutual trust and respect are something that all our employees appreciate. Corporate values that people can relate to lay the foundation for well-being at work.”
Having a good time at work
FinOrion Pharma India is located in the busiest area of Mumbai’s city centre, with good transport connections. The office is in the midst of bustling commercial hub, surrounded by numerous other companies, a metro station and the constantly flowing busy traffic. Inside the office, Indian culture is reflected in the various celebrations and activities held in the office.
“We often have parties and themed days, in which the employees are happy to participate. Recently, for example, we had a colour-themed week, when we all wore the same colour each day: yellow on Monday, red on Tuesday, green on Wednesday and so on,” Utturkar explains.
Utturkar says that their staff is lively and energetic people. However, a concentrated silence always prevails in Orion’s open-plan office.
“Even Finns are sometimes surprised by the silence in the open office. The situation changes when teams pack into the break room. Everyone is talking, laughing and enjoying their break time,” Samrudhi says.
Best about FinOrion India:
- Orion’s values, which are imprinted in the company’s DNA: mutual appreciation and trust are an important part of job satisfaction.
- Transparency in management: Everyone understands the causes and effects of decisions, which is important for motivation and willingness to change.
- Diverse job descriptions and career opportunities: The job descriptions are broad, with opportunities to keep learning within the role. Job rotation within the organisation are happening.
- Flexible working hours and hybrid work help to balance work and leisure.
