Agri Commodities Sourcing Head

The Head of Sustainable Sourcing and Agronomy is responsible for driving strategic initiatives that integrate advanced agronomy practices and sustainable sourcing programs to enhance supply chain reliability, optimize costs, improve raw material quality, and ensure sustainability. This leadership role involves building partnerships, implementing innovative solutions, and scaling regenerative agricultural practices.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

- Develop and execute a comprehensive strategy for sustainable sourcing and agronomy aligned with company's business objectives.

- Lead initiatives to enhance supply chain resilience, optimize cost structures, and improve the quality of raw materials.

- Establish the company as a leader in sustainable sourcing among key customers and stakeholders.

2. Partnerships & Capacity Building

- Build direct farmer engagement programs to ensure quality, consistency, and long-term collaboration.

- Provide training on regenerative agriculture, soil health, and sustainable cultivation practices.

- Partner with agricultural cooperatives, governments, corporations, and research institutions to scale initiatives.

- Implement incentive-based programs such as premium pricing for low-residue produce and subsidies for organic pest management solutions.

3. Sustainability & Regenerative Agriculture

- Promote soil health improvement using precision agronomy, AI-driven soil monitoring, organic inputs, and reduced chemical dependency.

- Implement water conservation techniques such as drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and soil moisture retention practices.

- Introduce climate-smart agriculture methods including drought-resistant crop varieties, intercropping, and agroforestry systems.

- Deploy blockchain-enabled sustainability tracking systems to monitor pesticide residue levels, soil health improvements, and carbon offset metrics.

4. Supply Chain Resilience & Risk Management

- Strategically expand sourcing geographies to mitigate climate, geopolitical, and supply chain risks.

- Strengthen supplier relationships through performance-based incentives such as volume-based bonuses and long-term contract commitments.

- Utilize data analytics for demand forecasting, procurement efficiency, and price volatility management.

5. Quality & Compliance Excellence

- Minimize pesticide residues and chemical contaminants through stringent quality assurance frameworks.

- Ensure compliance with global certifications (e.g., Rainforest Alliance, UEBT, Fair Trade).

- Adopt blockchain and AI-driven quality monitoring systems for enhanced transparency.

6. Innovation & Value Addition

- Invest in R&D collaborations for improved crop varieties focusing on curcuminoid-rich turmeric and high-capsaicinoid chili variants.

- Explore technology-driven post-harvest processing techniques to enhance yield and quality.

- Optimize agricultural waste streams through strategic R&D partnerships with academic institutions.

7. Key Metrics for Success

- Year-on-year growth in direct farmer engagement.

- Reduction in environmental footprint (water usage, carbon emissions, chemical inputs).

- Improvement in yield and quality metrics (e.g., active ingredient content).

- Strengthened supply chain resilience (e.g., supplier diversification index).

- Achievement of sustainability certifications across key supply chains.

- Cost savings through strategic sourcing initiatives.

Qualifications

1. Education

- Masters degree in Agronomy, Agriculture Science, Supply Chain Management, or related field. A Ph.D. is preferred.

2. Experience

- Minimum of 15 years of experience in agronomy or sustainable sourcing roles within the Agriculture Science / Agrobusiness industry.

- Proven track record of leading large-scale sustainability programs involving farmers and suppliers.

- Experience in Implementation of scalable technology in improving traceability and sustainability in agricultural operations.

3. Skills

- Expertise in regenerative agriculture practices and sustainability frameworks.

- Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage cross-functional teams.

- Proficiency in digital traceability tools such as blockchain technology.

- Strategic thinking combined with data-driven decision-making capabilities.