PepsiCo - Plant Facility/Agro R&D Head

- Key role is to lead Zahura mini-tuber facility operation, and, to drive potato agro R&D agenda by introduction of geography specific varieties for different agro-climatic conditions based on GxE interaction, identifying the most suitable varieties for different regions in India, transferring proven and innovative practices to field by developing training program for PepsiCo's agronomists and farming community to ensure seamless supply with quality produce.

- The person will also be responsible for setting up a demo site and testing Potato & other crops to establish farmer economics and feasibility for contract farming.

- The person will responsible for developing package of practices & protocols for crop agronomy, post-harvest technology, storage protocols and supporting regional teams for strong monitoring of storages to reduce post-harvest losses and maintain quality of stored potatoes. Keeping liaison with CPRI, IARI, ICAR, PPV & FRA, regional institutes and state agriculture universities etc will be sole responsibility of the role.

- India has been identified as SUPER SITE location and part of Global R&D program for potato. Under this program he will be evaluating potato varieties suitable for various countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia of AMEA region. Person will be establishing strong relationship and interacting at AMEA region and PepsiCo global R&D team.

- The person is also responsible for managing aeroponic mini-tuber potato seed production facility & introduction of new potato germplasm from PepsiCo Rhinelander, USA to PepsiCo India with the help of National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi & Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla, HP.

- The person is also responsible to drive the national agenda of developing new technologies in cultivation of Potato by developing tools like planters, harvesters, graders, pruning machine, micro-irrigation system and other farm equipment, suitable for small & marginal farmers.

- Identifying new geographies for Seed & Chipgrade potato cultivation & developing the sites and demonstrating success to meet the potato requirement during the most critical supply window is a major responsibility. The person is also responsible for leading capability agenda.

Accountabilities :

- Develop and manage a team of strong professionals for Agro R&D & Zahura mini-tuber seed facility.

- Developing protocols for maintaining germplasm of existing and new clones follow up agronomy of AHT production and storage of minitubers produced, pathological testing lab to produce disease/virus free clean mini tubers.

- Drive TPM culture to ensure effective planning and achievement of production targets from Zahura facility (including export requirement from Zahura) as per AOP (Annual Operating Plan) and enable PSP (strategic plan) delivery.

- Ensure mini-tuber/ product quality, purity, hygiene and people safety as per FL standards, harmonious industrial relations for uninterrupted operations.

- Build the AOP for Zahura plant efficiencies optimization.

- Expand the facility to increase the production capacity to meet the future / PSP needs.

- Maintain the germplasm bank and the facility as per international standards.

- Lead people capability agenda for Zahura facility and India Agro R&D team members.

- Analyze production and report progress against a clearly identified plan

- Maintain and understanding of technical developments that may impact on productivity

- Establish key performance indicators on cost and production efficiencies

- Comply all the Statutory requirements

- Creating region and variety wise POPs and conduct trials and demonstration in the fields to prove new varieties with a view to get higher yield.

- Develop training manuals and provide technical support and training to the field staff in providing extension services.

- Lead SUPER SITE variety evaluation program for AMENA region.

- Drive New Variety Registration under PPV & FRA to protect new varieties imported from USA.

- Conducting long term storage trials to evaluate storage potential of new varieties and identifying best varieties for long storage and ideal storage conditions to meet potato requirement from stored potato during the most critical supply window of PAN India.

- Drive farm mechanization agenda by bringing in new technologies, develop farmers friendly farm equipment like planter, harvester, soil movers for proper earthing-up operations to increase the yield, improve the quality of potato by reducing defect level and bring down cost of cultivation.

- Identify new geographies for Potato Seed & Chipgarde production in the country suitable for potato production during offseason and conduct demonstration to prove success.

People Accountabilities:

- Taking new recruits through the agro R&D and mini-tuber process as part of the induction training

- Conducting regular performance reviews and providing regular feedback to the employees

- Identifying gap areas and opportunities of development in consultation with the HR department

- Ensuring training plan compliance along with his Direct reports.

- Working with HR dept to put in place a system for reward and recognition of subordinates

- Empowering the team members so that they can take their own decisions.

- Maintain linkages with local ICAR/IARI/CPRI/CIP/PPV&FRA/Agriculture Universities and institutions to cross leverage knowledge and resources in Potato/Corn/Citrus & other new Crops.

- Collaborate with NBPGR & Regional Research institutes for import of new varieties and evaluate them in Indian conditions and recommend best performers.

- Work closely with authority in PPV and FR and ensure completion of variety registration process.

- Work with CPRI and regional Institutes to bring in new technologies and improved farm practices and transfer them to the contract farmers by demonstrating success by conducting on farm demonstrations.

- Build necessary internal/international business network to manage R&D activities effectively

- The person will have a strong Agro interaction with regional teams for capability development.

- Scaling up technical knowledge of agro teams by sharing new findings from research trials conducted in various geographies

- Work with regional teams to organize POP training programs to share POP improvement and new variety performance with farmers.

- Interact with PepsiCo Global Research team to bring in newer technologies to India program

- Recruit, lead, manage and direct a team for R&D

- Lead all agro R&D agenda conforming to PepsiCo's operating philosophy of PWP and continuously improve the sustainability metrics in function

- Work with regional teams to implement TPM and sustainable farming in Agro and conduct technical training program to cover agronomist and farming community.

Key Skills/Experience Required :

- Educational background - PhD in Agriculture (Preferred Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Plant Pathology)

- At least 10 years of experience in leading Agro R&D program combined with varietal evaluation and development of proven best practices.

- Good appreciation of R&D/Agro best practices s required to identity and develop new varieties meeting to our cost and quality

- Must have led large teams in Agro R&D and good track record of R&D work

- Ability to travel - internally and internationally

- Priority Setting: has a high capacity for managing multiple projects simultaneously and cross-functionally; can eliminate roadblocks and create focus

- Decision Making: uses a mixture of analysis, experience, and data when making decisions

- Influencing: can get things done through formal and informal channels; can effectively gather information from others in order to achieve project objectives

- High integrity: won't compromise values to get results

- Drive for Results: perseverant and resilient in the pursuit of objectives, willing to take on new challenges, works to resolve tough issues

- Strong communication: comfortable and effective in communicating (verbal and written) with stakeholders internally and externally across all levels

- Analytical: ability to analyze information to draw conclusions and find actionable solutions

- Highly Collaborative: works well with others, including internal and external stakeholders to deliver results and keeps others informed to avoid unnecessary surprises

Main interactions within & outside organization :

- The selected person will have primary interaction with agro region managers, sector agro R&D, India agro head, and, sector leadership.

- He will spend significant amount of time interacting with R&D, minitubers facility, seed Manager and Regional teams situated in key growing areas.

- He will also be interacting extensively with both National (CPRI, ICAR, Ministry of Agriculture, PPV & FR) and State Agricultural Research establishments for support and approvals

Comments :

- Mini tuber production and delivery as per domestic and Export requirements.

- Develop R&D function as per growth plans.

- Ability to develop new varieties footprints in multiple geographies

- Help recruit a dedicated team for Zahura facility & R&D trials/new geographies

- Responsible for delivering mini tuber production AOP at target costs.

- High degree of interpersonal skills and develop good rapport with various stakeholders