Entrepreneur in Residence

Aspire For Her is pleased to present the following opportunity with one of our esteemed clients.

Job Summary:

Key Responsibilities:

1. Business Development & Strategy:

• Identify and evaluate market and product market fit with opportunities within the NTFP space (e.g., medicinal plants, wild edibles, resins, fibres) beyond honey, based on market demand and community potential.
• Develop and implement strategies for value addition for existing honey and NTFP products (e.g., specialized honey blends, processed NTFP products, derivatives).
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify trends, consumer preferences, and growth areas in the natural products and food industry.
• Explore new sales channels and partnerships (e.g., B2B, e-commerce, export, institutional sales).
• Develop comprehensive business plans, financial projections, and go-to-market strategies for new initiatives.

2. Operational Excellence & Supply Chain Management:

• Optimize existing honey collection, processing, and packaging operations for efficiency, quality, and scalability.
• Implement best practices for NTFP harvesting, post-harvest handling, and storage to ensure product integrity and minimize waste.
• Improve supply chain logistics from forest to market, focusing on cost-effectiveness and traceability.
• Develop and standardize quality control measures and certifications (e.g., organic, fair trade, FSSAI) for all products.
• Collaborate with producer communities to enhance sustainable harvesting practices and ensure fair compensation.

3. Product Innovation & Branding:

• Lead the conceptualization and development of new product lines and variations based on market insights and community capabilities.
• Work with design and marketing teams to develop compelling branding and packaging for new and existing products.
• Ensure all products meet regulatory compliance and quality standards.

4. Financial Management & Fundraising:

• Develop and manage budgets for new projects and initiatives.
• Identify potential funding sources (e.g., grants, impact investors, venture capital) and assist in preparing proposals and pitches.
• Monitor financial performance of new ventures and provide regular reports.

5. Stakeholder Engagement & Capacity Building:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with producer communities, tribal leaders, forest departments, NGOs, and government agencies.
• Facilitate training and capacity-building programs for producers on sustainable harvesting, quality control, and value addition techniques.
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.

Qualifications:

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in business development, product management, operations, or a similar entrepreneurial role.
• Proven track record of successfully launching and scaling new products or ventures, preferably in the food, natural products, agriculture, or social enterprise sectors.
• Experience working with rural communities, producer groups, or in the NTFP/forest-based livelihoods sector is highly desirable.
• Understanding of supply chain dynamics in agricultural or natural resource-based industries.
• Experience with ethical sourcing, fair trade, or sustainability initiatives is a strong plus.

Skills:

• Strong entrepreneurial drive and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, resource- constrained environment.
• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Proficiency in financial modeling, budgeting, and business plan development.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including rural communities.

*By applying, you will be added to our Aspire For Her community and can enjoy the benefits of free membership and resources.