Centrient: Setting Higher Standards For Employee Well-Being, Development & Growth

Devvesh P Srivastav

Country President - India & Global HR - Director

Just a few years ago, people were only concerned about getting a good paycheck while taking up a job. However, things have changed significantly today. Nowadays, employees not only prioritize monetary benefits though they consider for overall growth and flexibility that can influence their lives. They seek flexible working options and a space to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. What they want is an encouraging environment where their ideas are respected and given enough scope to test. By strongly believing the fact that a company that invests in its employees is investing in its success, Centrient Pharmaceuticals India is one of the best companies to work in the Pharma sector.

Centrient Pharmaceuticals is the leading business-to-business manufacturer of life-saving, foundational medicines to the global healthcare system. It is also the number one global market leader in beta-lactam antibiotic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The company has a clear purpose to improve lives through innovative and sustainable manufacturing of medicines.

With a history of 150 years in fermentation products and enzymes, Centrient is constantly focusing on sustainable manufacturing, Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR), industry collaboration, and supply chain monitoring to ensure it remains a top choice in the industry. It is dedicated to developing innovative technologies and programs to stay ahead of the competition. Recently, it announced the opening of a new innovation lab in Spain to provide a global focal point for both its product and process innovation, especially in the area of treating patients where antibiotics are used.

One of the key factors that sets Centrient apart from other pharma companies is its care for People, Community, Planet and commitment to Employee Engagement and Happiness. Moreover, it is also dedicated to promoting eco-friendly practices, particularly when it comes to the use of antibiotics while adding to their ESG commitment globally. The company is taking steps to ensure that the usage of antibiotics is more sustainable, thus reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance. This is a significant challenge, but Centrient is committed to meeting it head-on and all its manufacturing sites are PNEC complaint.

A Model for Employee-Centric Companies

Devvesh Srivastav, the Country President, India and Global HR Director of Centrient highlights, “Post COVID-19, the conversation around health & wellness has shifted from being viewed as a benefit to being seen as a hygiene aspect of employee well-being. Moreover, employee safety is no longer confined to physical safety but also includes psychological safety, and Centrient is making strides in this area by offering various employee assistance programs related to stress, anxiety & psychological safety. We have launched an application-based well-being program along with a digital application that encourages physical activity and even awards employees based on their activity levels. We have also provided access to a service provider to help employees in case of any medical emergency, offering basic medical support, and access to doctors”.

With a history of 150 years in fermentation products and enzymes, Centrient is constantly focusing on sustainable manufacturing to ensure it remains a top choice in the industry
Devvesh P Srivastav, Country President - India & Global HR - Director

Furthermore, Centrient is focused on career progression for its employees and has developed a program called ‘The Million Dollar Question’. The program emphasizes personal capability, employee interest, and what the company can offer to develop a career path. The management encourages employees to identify their targeted role or career landing spot, align their strengths, and develop & execute a career plan linked to individual passion and competency.

When it comes to development & upskilling, Centrient has identified three areas, i.e., skill development, capability building, and leadership development. The company is focused on building employee capability and offers programs that help people enhance their skills to grow within the company. Its emphasis on employee well-being, development, and growth has created a positive work environment where employees feel valued and motivated to succeed. Overall, it has an attrition rate of less than 8 percent while the global rate of attrition is around 13-14 percent.

Recognition, Work-Life Balance & Innovation

Centrient has a structured process for recognizing employee contributions and achievements. The company empowers its employees to recognize their peers and managers, based on the values of innovation, collaboration, accountability, passion, and caring. Additionally, it offers spot recognitions in monthly and quarterly town halls, as well as CEO’s awards for performance.

When it comes to work-life balance, Centrient follows a hybrid working model that offers flexibility to employees who don’t work in manufacturing. It focuses on results over working hours and empowers its people to choose their working hours and use flexibility to work from home or location. The company's emphasis on staying aligned with the latest technology has helped it stand out in the market and ensure that its employees are well-equipped to handle the challenges of the future. Moreover, it has digitized its quality control process, ensuring that its results are more digitized and technology-driven, minimizing the chances of error. It has also implemented AI models for interviews, reducing paperwork.

Today, Centrient is an inspiration for companies looking to improve their employee experience and retention rates. Businesses can learn from Centrient's models and implement similar policies and programs to foster an employee-centric work environment. By following Centrient's lead, companies can become more successful, because people are indeed the pillars for success.