Director - Procurement & Excellence - Rice Business

Director - Rice Procurement & Excellence

Key Responsibilities:

National Rice Sourcing Strategy & Value Chain Optimization:

Upstream Value Chain Mastery & Intervention Design:

- Design and execute comprehensive rice procurement strategy across all major varieties (basmati, parboiled, raw, specialty) and regional preferences

- Map end-to-end value chain from farmer to consumer, identifying strategic intervention points for margin capture and efficiency gains

- Eliminate inefficiencies across farmer mandi miller wholesaler retailer touchpoints through direct relationships and technology integration

- Build innovative sourcing models that bypass traditional intermediaries while ensuring farmer income stability and quality consistency

Scale Leverage & Competitive Positioning:

- Leverage our 150,000+ retailer network as strategic procurement advantage to secure preferential terms, volume bonuses, and exclusive arrangements with mills

- Drive rice category contribution to company-wide >80% direct sourcing target through scale-enabled mill partnerships

- Outmaneuver organized and unorganized competition through superior supplier relationships, pricing intelligence, and procurement innovation

- Establish Jumbotail as the preferred partner for tier-1 rice mills by offering scale, payment reliability, and strategic growth partnership

Financial Optimization & Risk Management:

- Implement sophisticated working capital optimization including payment term negotiations, inventory financing, and cash conversion cycle improvement

- Establish commodity price risk management frameworks including futures, forward contracts, and seasonal hedging strategies where applicable

- Drive procurement efficiency improvements that deliver measurable margin expansion while maintaining competitive pricing to retailers

- Design financial structures with suppliers that optimize both parties' working capital and cash flow requirements

Regional Buyer Team Leadership & Matrix Management:

Regional Rice Buyer Network Development:

- Build and lead a team of 4-6 Regional Rice Buyers strategically positioned across key production zones (Punjab/Haryana for Basmati, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana for varieties, West Bengal for specialty rice)

- Transfer hands-on buying expertise to regional teams including negotiation techniques, supplier evaluation methods, and deal structuring approaches

- Establish dual reporting matrix where Regional Rice Buyers report functionally to you and operationally to Regional CEOs for local execution

- Design cross-regional sourcing strategies, particularly for premium varieties like Basmati that serve multiple regional markets

- Coach regional buyers on seasonal buying strategies, market timing, and commodity volatility management based on your field experience

Crisis Management & Business Continuity Excellence:

- Navigate supply chain disruptions including weather events, crop failures, policy changes, and market volatility while maintaining business continuity

- Establish contingency sourcing strategies and backup supplier networks to ensure uninterrupted supply to our retailer base

- Coach regional buyers on crisis response protocols including emergency sourcing, quality compromises, and customer communication during disruptions

- Develop competitive intelligence capabilities to anticipate market changes and position Jumbotail advantageously against organized and unorganized competitors

Regional Success Enablement & Market Intelligence:

Regional CEO Partnership & Support:

- Support Regional CEO market competitiveness by ensuring rice sourcing strategies align with local P&L targets and market conditions

- Provide weekly market intelligence including competitor pricing, supply opportunities, and demand trends

- Resolve conflicts constructively between central optimization and regional market needs through collaborative problem-solving

- Develop region-specific rice portfolios that address local customer preferences while leveraging central sourcing advantages

Performance Management & Capability Building:

- Implement monthly regional buyer reviews focusing on procurement performance, supplier relationships, and regional market support

- Ensure Regional Rice Buyers become effective regional assets who contribute to Regional CEO success

- Create knowledge sharing frameworks for best practice exchange across regional network

- Lead talent development with emphasis on buying skills, market intelligence, and Regional CEO partnership

Quality Assurance & End-Customer Focus:

- Establish customer-back quality standards that ensure consistent product experience for kiranas and their end consumers

- Implement traceability systems and documentation protocols that support food safety compliance and audit requirements

- Design quality control processes that minimize rejection rates while maintaining standards that protect Jumbotail's reputation with retailers

- Proactively manage FSSAI compliance and food safety requirements across all supplier relationships and sourcing activities

Pricing Strategy & Margin Optimization:

Dynamic Pricing Framework Development:

- Build sophisticated pricing models that optimize gross margins while maintaining competitive market positioning

- Develop and manage rice pricing corridors that regional teams execute within (15-20% flexibility)

- Create promotional calendars and markdown strategies that maximize rupee margin per van day

- Implement advanced analytics for demand forecasting, inventory optimization, and price elasticity analysis

Margin Enhancement Initiatives:

- Lead rice category contribution to overall trading gross margin expansion

- Identify and execute margin enhancement opportunities through supplier negotiations, process improvements, and mix optimization

- Drive higher-margin specialty rice varieties penetration across regional markets

- Optimize logistics costs through strategic sourcing geography alignment with fulfillment network

Quality Standards & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Quality Assurance & Compliance:

- Establish consistent quality standards and testing protocols across all rice varieties and suppliers

- Implement customer-focused quality controls that ensure reliable product experience for kiranas and end consumers

- Manage FSSAI compliance and food safety requirements across supplier relationships and sourcing activities

- Develop traceability systems and documentation protocols for audit and regulatory requirements

Cross-Functional Partnership:

- Partner with Supply Chain team on logistics optimization and inventory management that supports regional fulfillment

- Collaborate with Finance on category P&L performance and accurate demand forecasting

- Support Technology teams with data quality and system adoption for procurement analytics and pricing tools

- Provide category expertise to Head of Own Brands for Jumbofarms rice development and quality specifications

- Support emerging HORECA business development with institutional-grade rice solutions and supplier capabilities

Cross-Functional Leadership & Regional Integration:

- Partner with Supply Chain team on regional fulfillment optimization, logistics cost minimization, and multi-channel inventory management that supports regional growth targets

- Collaborate with Finance on rice category P&L across channels while providing regional margin analysis and accurate forecasting for financial planning

- Work effectively with Technology teams on demand forecasting, procurement analytics, and pricing engines that enhance regional competitiveness and data quality

- Provide deep category expertise to Head of Own Brands for Jumbofarms rice strategy while ensuring end-customer quality consistency and regional market adaptation

- Champion regional needs in central planning processes and ensure emerging HORECA strategies complement rather than compete with regional B2B focus

- Strategic Supplier Partnership Development

Tier-1 Mill Relationships:

- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with 15-20 tier-1 rice mills across key production zones

- Structure partnership agreements that optimize cost, quality, payment terms, and supply reliability

- Build trust-based relationships with key suppliers through consistent engagement and transparent communication

- Negotiate multi-season contracts that provide suppliers business predictability while securing favorable terms

Win-Win Deal Architecture:

- Design deal structures that align supplier incentives with Jumbotail goals including volume commitments, quality standards, and pricing frameworks

- Leverage supplier economics knowledge to structure mutually beneficial arrangements that improve supplier margins while reducing costs

- Establish preferred partner relationships that provide competitive advantages including priority access and market intelligence

- Drive supplier performance improvements through capability development and partnership programs

Performance Management & Analytics:

Category Performance Leadership:

- Own rice category KPIs including procurement cost optimization, quality metrics, supplier performance, and fill rates

- Develop and maintain rice category dashboards and regional performance tracking

- Conduct regular business reviews with Chief Merchandising Officer and Regional CEOs on category performance and market intelligence

- Lead annual rice category planning and budgeting processes

Technology Integration & Data Management:

- Adopt procurement analytics tools and contribute to demand forecasting accuracy through market intelligence

- Ensure data quality in procurement systems and support technology team initiatives for process improvement

- Implement automated reporting for key performance metrics and supplier scorecards

- Leverage technology platforms for supplier communication, order management, and performance tracking

Qualifications & Experience:

Essential Requirements:

- 15+ years of rice/commodity procurement experience with proven margin expansion track record in competitive, scale-driven environments

- Crisis-tested procurement leadership with demonstrated ability to navigate major supply disruptions, market volatility, and competitive pressure

- Scale economics expertise with experience leveraging large buyer volumes (>100Cr annual procurement) to secure preferential supplier terms and competitive advantages

- Financial sophistication including working capital optimization, commodity risk management, and procurement financing structures

- Advanced negotiation mastery with track record of structuring complex deals that deliver measurable cost savings and margin improvements under timeline pressure

Preferred Qualifications:

- Startup environment experience: Previous roles in fast-paced, technology-enabled organizations with emphasis on agility and data-driven decision making

- Scale procurement experience: Experience managing large procurement budgets (>500Cr) and leveraging buyer scale for competitive advantages

- Multi-commodity expertise: Experience with multiple commodity categories that provides broader agricultural market insights

- Regional production zone knowledge: Deep familiarity with key rice-producing states and agricultural value chains

- Digital procurement platforms: Experience with e-procurement systems, agricultural technology, or B2B marketplace operations

- Food safety and compliance expertise: Strong understanding of FSSAI regulations and quality certification processes

- Advanced negotiation training: Formal training or certification in complex commercial negotiations

- MBA in Agribusiness, Supply Chain, or related field

Personal Attributes:

- Results-oriented execution with focus on delivering measurable outcomes in procurement cost, quality, and supplier performance

- Regional partnership mindset with genuine commitment to Regional CEO success and collaborative approach to matrix management

- Crisis leadership capabilities with proven ability to maintain performance during supply chain disruptions and market volatility

- Relationship building skills with track record of developing trust-based partnerships with suppliers and internal stakeholders

- Technology adoption enthusiasm with openness to digital tools and data-driven decision making

- Market intelligence orientation with strong analytical skills and curiosity about agricultural markets and competitive dynamics

Compensation & Benefits:

- Competitive total compensation commensurate with role impact and candidate experience

- Meaningful equity participation with significant upside potential

- Performance-linked bonus tied to rice category and overall company performance

- Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, transport allowance, and professional development budget

Location & Travel:

- Base Location: Bangalore (5 days/week + alternate Saturdays as required)

Travel Requirements:

- 30-40% travel to rice-producing regions, mills, and farming zones

- Regular visits to Regional clusters for market intelligence and team collaboration

- Supplier engagement across North, South, East, and West India

- Conference participation in agriculture, food technology, and commodity trading events

Reporting Structure:

Reports To: Chief Merchandising Officer (CMO)

Direct Reports:

- 3-4 Regional Rice Buyers (dual reporting matrix with Regional CEOs)

- Rice Quality Specialist

Collaborates With:

- 4 Regional CEOs and Regional Merchandising Heads

- Head of Own Brands (category expertise collaboration)

- J24, HORECA, Supply Chain, Finance, and Technology teams

Matrix Management: Regional Rice Buyers have dual accountability functional reporting to this role for procurement strategy and technical expertise, operational reporting to Regional CEOs for local execution and market responsiveness.