PepsiCo - Senior Manager - Supply Chain/Agro (10-15 yrs)

Overview:

The SC Agro Sr. Manager will lead the operations of the Zahura mini-tuber facility, focusing on team development, quality assurance, production management, facility expansion, and compliance. The role will also involve managing the aeroponic mini-tuber potato seed production facility and introducing new potato germplasm from PepsiCo Rhinelander, USA to PepsiCo India.

Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities:

- Team Leadership: Develop and manage a team of professionals, to ensure operational excellence and continuous improvement.

- Quality Assurance: Ensure adherence to standards for mini-tuber/product quality, purity, hygiene, and safety for uninterrupted operations.

- Production Management: Oversee mini-tuber production and delivery to meet domestic and export requirements.

- Facility Management: Manage the aeroponic mini-tuber potato seed production facility, including importing new potato germplasm with support from National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi & Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) Shimla, HP.

- Protocol Development: Develop protocols for maintaining germplasm of existing and new clones, ensuring disease/virus-free mini tubers through pathological testing.

- TPM Implementation: Drive Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) culture for effective planning and achievement of production targets, aligned with AOP and PSP.

- Capacity Expansion: Expand facility capacity by establishing key performance indicators for cost and production efficiencies, while meeting statutory requirements and future/PSP needs.

- Germplasm Bank Maintenance: Maintain the germplasm bank and facility according to international standards.

- Training and Support: Develop training manuals and provide technical support and training to field staff for extension services.

- HR Management: Recruit, lead, manage, and direct a team for the Zahura facility, conducting regular performance reviews, providing feedback, and identifying development opportunities in consultation with HR.

Qualifications:

- Educational background - PhD in Agriculture or related field (Soil Science, Plant Breeding, Biotechnology, Agronomy, Plant Pathology preferred)

- 10-15+ years of experience

- Strongly preference for candidates with experience in potato minituber production

- Must have led large teams

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

Key Skills/Experience Required:

- Uses a mixture of analysis, experience, and data when making decisions

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

- High integrity and wont compromise values to get results

- Perseverant and resilient in the pursuit of objectives, willing to take on new challenges, works to resolve tough issues

- Ability to analyze information to draw conclusions and find actionable solutions

- Works well with others, including internal and external stakeholders to deliver results and keeps others informed to avoid unnecessary surprises

Main Interactions:

- Reports to Head- Agro R&D

- Interacts with Agro Regional Managers, India Agro Head, and BUs leadership

- Collaborates with R&D, Seed Manager, and Regional teams situated in key growing areas

- Interacts extensively with CPRI, ICAR, Ministry of Agriculture, PPV & FRA, NBPGR for support and approvals