Cluster Head - Operations - Farm Business

Cluster Head - Farm Operations

About Us:

- We are a purpose-driven social enterprise on a mission to revolutionize the food system! We combine bio-farming practices with a unique hub-and-spoke model to address malnutrition, climate change, and farmer livelihoods simultaneously.

- Our regenerative organic farming methods, exceeding even certified organic standards, enhance the nutrient density and bio-availability of our produce.

- This innovative approach has garnered recognition from the Rockefeller Foundation and The Rodale Institute.

- We're seeking a passionate and experienced Cluster Head to lead production and back-end operations across our farm clusters and partner farms in India.

About the Role:

- As the Cluster Head, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our farm clusters.

- You'll lead a team of 10-12 individuals, including direct reports, and oversee production planning, logistics, customer delivery metrics, and contract farming activities.

- Collaboration is key in this role, as you'll work closely with the sales team to forecast market needs and plan production accordingly.

- Your leadership will be instrumental in motivating and training network farmers in our regenerative organic practices, ensuring the highest quality produce reaches our collection centers and ultimately, our customers.

Responsibilities:

Production & Operations Leadership:

- Lead farm production and back-end operations for the assigned cluster.

- Develop and implement production plans that meet market forecasts and ensure continuous delivery of SKUs based on customer needs.

- Oversee logistics and customer delivery metrics for the cluster.

- Manage activities at collection centers, including receiving produce from network farmers, sorting, grading, and storage.

- Collaborate with operations teams to ensure the efficient flow of produce from farm to distribution center.

Contract Farming & Farmer Relations:

- Implement and manage contract farming activities with network farmers, ensuring compliance with company practices.

- Identify, recruit, motivate, and train network farmers in regenerative organic production methods.

- Monitor farming activities to ensure adherence to company protocols and absence of chemical usage.

- Partner with technical teams to implement cutting-edge regenerative agriculture practices, while providing valuable field-level feedback to the Centre of Excellence.

Strategic Planning & Growth:

- Develop and manage budgets for all cluster activities, focusing on cost optimization.

- Identify and explore opportunities for expansion within the assigned region.

- Stay up-to-date on the latest trends and innovations in regenerative agriculture.

Qualifications:

- Post-graduation or graduation in Agriculture with 5-7 years of experience working directly with farmers OR,

- Graduation/Post-graduation in any discipline with years of experience managing regional agricultural/fruits & vegetables/contract farming operations in leading organizations.

- Prior experience in organic/natural farming is highly preferred.

- Excellent communication skills in English, Hindi, and the local language.

- Strong people management skills with a proven track record of leading and motivating teams.

- Proficiency in computer skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and a working knowledge of ERP systems.