Position Overview:
To manage the procurement of Pongamia (Karanja) pods, beans & other value added products while closely working with the rural bean gatherers. Will be responsible to manage and execute the forecasts for feedstock procurement and ensure that timelines are effectively followed to meet the purchase requirements of the business. To efficiently manage stocks in terms of volume and cost and manage risk associated with current market conditions to ensure security of supply. To maintain and improve quality, developing our brand, and strengthening the link between TerViva and bean gatherers/ suppliers/ partners.
Requirement:
Primary/ Core Responsibilities:
- Identification of potential villages with good number of bean gatherers in and around cluster area
- Manage and execute forecasts for feedstock procurement for each season based on company s demand forecast, to ensure supply security and timelines
- Be commercially minded when negotiating quality differentials and price in order to obtain best deal for TerViva and suppliers
- Constantly assess harvests, demand in origin from other markets, and local knowledge, including significant environmental, political and economic factors which may impact the planning process
- Ensure all feedstocks/ raw materials purchased are within the agreed specifications. Work alongside the QA/QC teams to set up appropriate SOPs to manage quality for procurement
- Partnering with State level stakeholders to deliver results with minimal cost.
Other Activities:
Procurement
- Assess pre-harvest position of Pongamia beans through visits and updates with bean gatherers & suppliers
- Monitor contracts/ purchase orders against requirements by product, quality, blend, by month, by Supplier Group, resolving any issues that arise
- Support TerViva s price risk strategy by providing timely and important market information
- Proactively manage feedstock to ensure efficient stock levels at any time depending on latest supply and demand
Partnership with Bean Gatherers/Suppliers/ Partners
- Lead and organize pre-season Pongamia market survey and business updates for all gatherer/supplier/ partner groups prior to season s harvest
- Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges faced by the pod gatherers, gather systematic supplier feedback, and represent their interests
- Meeting with bean gatherers/suppliers/ Partners regularly in their locations and ensure high quality information flows between their organizations and TerViva
- Constantly assess harvests, demand in origin from other markets, and local knowledge, including significant environmental, political and economic factors which may impact the planning process
Quality
- Provide Quality Control management services for pre- and post-shipment sampling to ensure consistency of raw material quality to meet TerViva s standards
- Monitor harvesting samples collected from bean gatherers/ suppliers/ processors against standards, report back on issues and monitor responses
- Assist in the development of quality enhancement programs for bean gatherers/suppliers/ partners in order to achieve consistent quality, reliability in supply (continuity), in the context of forest/ environmental sensitivities
Minimising Environmental Impact
- Drawing experience at origin and at point of feedstock procurement, encourage environment friendly and efficient methods of procurement of Pongamia pods/beans
- Work with villagers to encourage environmentally sustainable production, support suppliers to strengthen the positive impact they have on the environment, and to use these actions to bolster their livelihoods
Required Skills and Education:
- Deep understanding of Procurement of Agricultural & Forest produce
- Min 5 years of experience in Project Manager/ Program Manager/ Senior Manager/Manager/Consultant/
- Procurement, supply chain experience
- At Least 4 CR plus procurement experience of niche products (agriculture/forest/dairy)
- Strong commercial orientation & understanding of edible & non-edible oil sector.
- Masters/post-graduation/ from a premier university/college/ School
- Deep understanding of Procurement of Forest produce which includes farmer / collector level interventions.
- Experience of working in a large project and as part of a diverse team is desirable.
- Experience in supporting and handholding farmers in adopting and adapting to best practices and new products.
- Familiarity with the agro-climatic conditions.
- Strong facilitation/ training and communication skills
- Willingness to learn from and replicate best practices from elsewhere.
- Price Risk Management
- Experience working with Smallholder producers, suppliers, and wholesalers, at origin
- Project management, leadership and Forest compliance (policy) skills.
- Understanding of social sciences, rural development and community engagement.
- Knowledge of working for the tribal community.
Personal Qualities:
- Passion for Agriculture & Forestry
- Trusted, demonstrates honesty & integrity
- Results-focused Proactive-Takes the initiative- Doesn t need managing
- Ability to deliver innovative, creative solutions
- Dynamic relentless in pursuit of KPI delivery, acting with pace and urgency
- Language skills (Spoken):
- English (Speaking and Writing with Expert proficiency)
- Hindi (Good to know. Basic level is acceptable)
- Odia Local Language is preferrable.
