Mazhar Raja Retires from PSI after 28 Years

A few days back, I heard from one of my colleagues that Mr. Mazhar Hussain Raja will be soon retiring after 28 years of long service at Pharmaceutical Solutions Industry, Jeddah.

On 31st October 2018, by fluke, I met him on the office corridor, and as we got to talking, I requested him if I can pen down an interview with him. Without least hesitation, he agreed for that. In fact, it’s my pleasure to write about a person, who has remained a dedicated and hardworking employee over the years. 

Anyone who has worked with him would definitely say that he’s a man of principles and tactical approach, and always punctual and regimented on the duty like an engaged employee.

Presumably, more than farewell celebration, special luncheon, retirement award, plague, and gifts, a person, who has worked for 28 years, deserves load of respect, appreciation, good wording and wishes. May the Almighty Lord bless him and his family, and we all wish them good times ahead in their lives.

From Left: Mr. Samir H. Jedaani, Employee Relations & Administration Manager presents certificate of appreciation to Mr. Mazhar Raja.

From Left: Mr. Abdelhamid M. Elsheikh, Supply Chain Manager cheers Mr. Mazhar Raja (seen standing). Seated next to Mr. Mazhar is Mr. Babiker Y. Gasouma, Logistic Manager.

                            Office colleagues pose during the farewell party of Mr. Mazhar Raja (seen third from left).

                                               Friends and colleagues posing with Mr. Mazhar Raja at a farewell party.

                             Office colleagues and friends celebrating a happy retirement party of Mr. Mazhar Raja.

                                      Friends, Colleagues & Countrymen....A special farewell party for Mr. Mazhar Raja.

Here’s my interview with Mr. Mazhar H. Raja, Asst. Purchasing Manager at Pharmaceutical Solutions Industry, Jeddah, whose last working day was on Wednesday, the 31st of October 2018.

1. In a nutshell, tell us where were you born and describe your early years?

I was born in Rawalpindi (commonly known as Pindi), the city in the Punjab province of Pakistan. I had my primary and higher studies from Government Boys High School in Kahuta, Rawalpindi.

After schooling, I graduated with Bachelor of Arts, majoring in economics, from the University of Karachi, which is located in Karachi, Sindh.

After graduation, my first job was in Pakistan Insurance Company in Karachi. As a result of my first job, which lasted to three years, in insurance sector, I had gained valuable experience especially in re-insurance of projects (like Tarbela Dam in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan) to world renowned re-insurance companies.

2. What inspired you to come to Saudi Arabia?

Well, while working in Pakistan Insurance Company, Karachi, one of my colleagues encouraged me, with the idea of performing Umrah (i.e. lesser pilgrimage to Makkah).

In 1976, we both came to Saudi Arabia. By the Grace of Almighty Lord, after performing pilgrimage, on others’ persuasion, we started job hunting in Jeddah.

As in those days, there was an influx of job opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Fortunately, based on my past experience, I got hired in a small contracting company in Jeddah. Nevertheless, I was not happy with the job role, and for the sake of job stability and career change, I left that company after seven (7) months.

Thereafter, I joined a German company ‘HOCHTIEF AG’, based in Jeddah, whose one of the legendary projects was to build international airport at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, which was completed and operational in 1981. As I remember, that was the turnkey ‘design and construct’ airport project, and in this construction company I had adequate experience while working in a multicultural environment of various nationalities, including German. On the whole, 15,000 workers were performing in different trade and profession, and being one of them was like a significant milestone in my career.

I was assigned to prepare work instructions and SOPs and document all foreign employment activities in administration department, and I was directly reporting to the Commercial Director.

3. How you landed into a job at PSI and can you briefly recall your initial years at PSI?

One of my friends informed me that there were few vacancies in Pharmaceutical Solutions Industry Ltd. With all readiness, I submitted my resume for the post of ‘Import Officer’. I was interviewed by Mr. Moinuddin Ghauri, who then, headed the purchasing department.

However, initially I was appointed as a ‘Secretary’ in the Purchasing department. After two years, with the resignation of Import Officer, based on my knowledge, skills and experience, I got promoted to Import Officer.

Reflecting on the past, after joining PSI, I felt like having more job stability, scope for growth and benefits. Prior to joining PSI, I left HUCHTIEF as the airport construction project was completed, and then at PSI, I felt the career transition come up to my expectations.

4. Can you sum up concisely what is the level of experience you have gained after three decades of service at PSI?

At PSI, from the start, I was involved in foreign purchasing that included performing and coordinating activities related to purchasing of raw materials, packaging materials, production machineries, diverse equipment, tools and spare parts. I must admit, the job role was always challenging and entailed lots of responsibilities.

Oftentimes, you have to be prudent in selecting right vendors, and at times, competent enough to effectively negotiate with them, without compromising quality, and maintain good rapport.

Right from the beginning until my last working days, I had the experience of communicating with various vendors from Germany, Belgium, Italy, USA, Czechoslovakia, China, Korea, UK and France.

Good to say that over my entire service period, while communicating with different vendors, I ensured that everything goes in-tact and remains sequential for achieving efficiency and overall business goals.

5. Remembering the past, how would you describe your life in Saudi Arabia?

In truth, after spending life here, in Saudi Arabia, for over three decades, I feel fortunate.

Being all these years in Jeddah, the most wonderful opportunity I have dearly felt is the vicinity of blessed Makkah and virtuous Madinah. Visiting these two holy cities, very often, was always like cherishing celestial blessings and boon.

6. Over the length of your service period, what major and significant changes you have seen in PSI?

In the early 90s, PSI was, in fact, a small company, and during that period, we had only one line for producing Intravenous solutions in glass bottles and two Bottle pack machines for producing IV solutions in plastic bottles.

But, in the last three decades, I am glad to say that PSI has undergone an impressive, wide-ranging refurbishments and major expansion in production and warehousing facilities.

Summing up, PSI has witnessed numerous changes, with innovative and successful expansion, increase in production machineries and capacities, staff and productivity. I am happy to see PSI so well flourishing well with extensive products.

7. What are your biggest achievements in your career so far?

Frankly, I must admit that my biggest achievements, at PSI, are proper material planning and purchasing materials (raw, packaging and trading) within specific time limits. Very often, when it comes to supplier selection, effective purchasing and timely delivery, it’s a challenging task. Yet, with expertise, ease and efficiency, I used to handle the whole process of foreign purchasing, and sometimes in pivotal projects, successfully achieved results before the set timelines.

In addition, along with the R&D team, I was actively involved, in accordance to my capabilities, towards setting R&D wing at PSI. Based on the strategic goals, specific requirements and budget of R&D department, I have rendered my efforts in purchasing laboratory furniture, equipment and instruments like HPLCs, Stability Chambers etc.

Purchase of new raw materials was really a challenging job. It was the time when KSA started changing its rule for import of pharmaceutical raw materials, and as SFDA also shifted to new rules, so finding a raw material manufacturer with all the cGMP and regulatory documentation within a budgeted price especially for Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Iron Sucrose, Ipratropium Bromide and many more posed a great challenge.

8. Can you say a little bit about your family?

My family consists of my wife, two daughters and two sons. We have done our best in nurturing and educating our children. By the Grace of Almighty Lord, my two daughters are married, one is software engineer and the other is graphic designer, and both are settled in Pakistan.

My eldest son graduated with a Bachelors degree (in electronics engineering) from Mohammad Ali Jinnah University (MAJU, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan), and he is married and working in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. My second son, after graduating, is pursuing his Masters degree (in Business Information Systems) in Australia.

With a sense of gratitude towards the Almighty Lord, we, as parents, are glad to have our virtuous, happy children. May the Almighty Lord bless them all.

9. Do you have any plans after leaving PSI? Work somewhere or start some business?

After decades of work, I have no intention of either working or starting some business. I just want to settle down in my home country.

10. Do you have any advice for your colleagues and to other employees who are striving now in their careers?

My best advice to one and all is: ‘Work hard and be loyal to the company. Indeed, you get what you give!’ 

Finally, my special thanks to Ambah family who provided me manifold opportunities to prosper into my potential. From the bottom of my heart, I wish them much happiness and success in the future.

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