Job Purpose
To build and maintain strong, direct relationships with farmers and local growers, and to plan and execute the purchase of raw fruits and vegetables — mango, papaya, coconut, pineapple and related produce — ensuring a consistent, high-quality, and cost-effective supply for the company's IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) manufacturing operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Farmer connect & sourcing: Identify, approach and build long-term relationships with farmers, farmer groups/FPOs, and local growers cultivating mango, papaya, coconut, pineapple and other fruits used in IQF production.
- Procurement planning: Plan raw material requirements in line with the production schedule and harvest calendar of each crop; anticipate seasonal peaks and gaps across regions.
- Price negotiation: Negotiate rates directly with farmers/growers based on prevailing market prices, quality, and volume, ensuring fair pricing for both farmer and company.
- Quality check at source: Inspect fruit at the farm/collection point for ripeness, size, variety and freedom from damage or disease, in line with the specifications required for IQF processing.
- Market & crop intelligence: Track regional harvest cycles, weather impact, and market rate trends for each fruit to plan purchases ahead of demand and avoid supply shortages.
- Logistics coordination: Coordinate transport of harvested produce from farm/collection centre to the factory within the required time window to preserve freshness.
- Documentation & payments: Maintain purchase records, farmer database, weighment slips, and payment documentation; ensure timely and accurate settlement to farmers.
- Internal coordination: Work closely with the Production and QC teams to communicate incoming raw material volumes, quality grades and any deviations.
- Vendor development: Explore and onboard new farmer sources and growing regions to widen and de-risk the supply base as production volumes grow.
- Field presence: Conduct regular field visits to farms and collection points, and represent the company at local mandis/markets as needed.
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trust with farmers and rural communities.
- Good knowledge of fruit crops — seasonality, quality grading, and post-harvest handling of mango, papaya, coconut and pineapple.
- Comfortable with frequent travel to farms, villages and collection centres.
- Basic understanding of procurement, pricing and market dynamics for agri-produce.
- Local language fluency; working knowledge of English/Hindi for reporting.
- Organised, with the discipline to maintain accurate purchase and payment records.
- Willingness to work flexible hours during peak harvest seasons.
Qualifications & Experience
- Graduate in Agriculture, Horticulture, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field (preferred but not mandatory with relevant field experience).
- 10 years of experience in agri-produce procurement, farm sourcing, or marketing — experience in the fruit processing / food industry is an advantage.
- Valid driving licence and willingness to travel extensively within the sourcing region.
Key Result Areas (KRAs)
- Volume of raw material procured against plan, fruit-wise and season-wise.
- Cost of procurement versus market benchmark.
- Quality acceptance rate of sourced fruit at the factory gate.
- Number of active farmer relationships / new sourcing regions onboarded.
- Timeliness of delivery to factory and of farmer payments.
Pay: ₹18,000.00 - ₹25,000.00 per month
Work Location: In person
