Associate -Food Enterprise Value Chain

About the Position
Job Title : Associate -Food Enterprise Value Chain
Number of positions : 3
Location : Patna
Grade :C
Salary Range : Competitive salary commensurate with experience
Duration : 15-Feb-2025 to 14-Feb-2027
Project: Technical Support Unit ( TSU) for Bihar

Qualification required:
The ideal candidate shall have a graduate degree or PG diploma in Hotel Management or Business Administration with Marketing.

Experience required:
Minimum 3 years of experience of working in business management or enterprise development, preferably in the food sector.
Preferably have extensive experience of working as part of the F&B marketing, sales team of leading food businesses / companies / franchisees.

Skills and Attributes:

1. Good analytical and problem-solving skills
2. Skills in market analysis, branding, and campaign execution.
3. Proficiency in handling e-commerce platforms.
4. Excellent oral and written English skills
5. Digital literacy including word processing, database systems, and PowerPoint.

Application closure date : 30th January 2025

About the Role:

The Associate - Food enterprise value chain will be based in the field and will support the Technical Support Unit (TSU) in implementing JEEViKA s food enterprise initiatives, including Didi Ki Rasoi (DKR), private food enterprise models & PMFME supported enterprises. This role emphasizes field-level engagement, direct support to Self-Help Group (SHG) women, and the operational execution of PMFME. The Associate will focus on providing on-ground assistance to ensure the growth and sustainability of JEEViKA s PMFME supported enterprises. The role requires practical problem-solving, a basic understanding of marketing, and the ability to engage directly with community organizations and stakeholders. The associate will play a crucial role in strengthening the value chain of micro food processing enterprises, enhancing their competitiveness. The position will be instrumental in ensuring operational efficiency, supporting financial sustainability, and driving local-level market expansion of food enterprises.

Key roles and responsibilities :

I. On ground Project Implementation
A) Project Implementation - Planning Stage
Conduct needs assessments to identify challenges and opportunities for PMFME supported business models.
Plan regular visits to DKR & PMFME enterprise sites to monitor performance and identify areas for improvement.
Ensure efficient budgeting during the planning stage for operational smoothness ahead.

B) Operational Support- Business Development & Management
Oversee the identification and formalization of micro food enterprises under the PMFME scheme.
Support TSU in creating food products supply chain by mapping DKRs and private food enterprises to PMFME enterprises for creating a long-term sustainable and profitable solution.
Ensure the effective implementation of PMFME-related activities at the village and block levels
Facilitate linkages with local markets, buyers, and supply chains to improve enterprise profitability.
Support on credit-linked subsidy for enterprises to ensure timely disbursement of funds to eligible beneficiaries.
Monitor and manage financial performance, including budgeting, cost optimization, and revenue generation for 50 PMFME beneficiaries to set standards of practice.
Identify and mitigate risks associated with PMFME enterprise operations, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and quality standards.
C) Marketing & Branding strategy development
Execute the marketing plans to promote 200 PMFME supported enterprises.
Support the creation of local supply chains and facilitate linkages with government and private sector buyers.

D) Market linkages & Partnerships
Facilitate market linkages for micro food enterprises to improve their competitiveness and reach.
Lead in establishing supply chain for at least 50 PMFME enterprises with different models of DKR, privatized food businesses run by women across Bihar.
Identify new revenue streams and opportunities for PMFME models.

E) Capacity building
Provide mentorship and guidance to women led PMFME supported enterprises.
Execute training programs for PMFME micro-enterprises on marketing, branding, and sales strategies.
Organize and facilitate training sessions for SHG women on enterprise development, financial management, and product quality improvement.

II. Monitoring, reporting & Documentation
Collect and document field-level data on enterprise performance, sales, and customer feedback.
Contribute to the preparation of periodic progress reports, highlighting successes, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.
Develop and submit the progress reports as and when necessary.

Other responsibilities
To carry out any other relevant duties as required and assigned by TSU Lead & Manager-Food enterprise value chain.

Note: This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and may not cover every aspect of the role. Additional responsibilities and duties may be assigned as needed to support organizational goals

Reporting to :- Manager- Food Enterprise Value Chain

About the Project:

PCI aims to support Bihar SRLM in transforming the livelihoods of Self-Help Group (SHG) women across Bihar through innovations, systems strengthening, capacity building & forging partnerships within the non-farm sector. This ambitious initiative will deploy a comprehensive strategy that operates across systemic & community level to ensure sustainable and scalable economic growth. The project is centred around two key initiatives: Didi Ki Rasoi and PMFME Entrepreneurs.

Didi Ki Rasoi (DKR), an initiative by JEEViKA, aims to establish community-based canteens across Bihar for providing quality and hygienic food to institutions like hospitals, schools, government offices, and individual customers. Fully owned and operated by women, DKR empowers rural communities while ensuring homely, hygienic meals.

The PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme, launched under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, is a centrally sponsored initiative aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and formalization of India s unorganized food processing sector. Under this scheme JEEViKA is promoting individual micro-enterprises, self-help groups (SHGs), farmer producer organizations (FPOs), to set up enterprises by leveraging on the benefits the scheme provides.

To ensure dedicated support to the above initiatives of JEEViKA, PCI would establish a Technical Support Unit (TSU), which will play a pivotal role in supporting the Didi Ki Rasoi initiative of JEEViKA & women entrepreneurs promoted under PMFME, across Bihar. The TSU will play a central role in driving the initiative forward by providing specialized technical assistance and real-time solutions tailored to the unique challenges of the program. The TSU will actively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, including government departments and community organizations, while placing field teams for supporting PMFME entrepreneurs & for piloting new privatized business models on food enterprises (such as cloud kitchens/restaurants/Dhaba s/food trucks etc.) to facilitate systemic uniformity in operations across Bihar. Additionally, TSU will prioritize the institutionalization of business solution tools for DKR and foster partnerships to create a robust ecosystem of support for the initiative to thrive.

What can you expect in PCI
A warm, inclusive and happy work environment.
Performance driven reward mechanism.
Best of class benefits with competitive remunerations.
Health Insurance coverage for self, spouse & Children.
Group Terms Life Insurance and Group Accident Insurance for Self.
All other statutory benefits.
Regular Recognition of performance and PCI Value display in work
An empowering organisation structure which values individual s skills, competencies and potential.
Opportunities to operate in cross functional role.
Higher responsibilities and larger roles are merit based.
Young Talent Programs for developing future leaders.
Leadership roles for women is encouraged and given preference in selection and training.

Recruitment Process
1. Applications will be shortlisted based on the specified criteria mentioned in the Job Description.
2. Shortlisted candidates will appear for a written assignment (if required).
3. Group Discussions may be part of the interview process for certain positions.
4. The process could also include presentation of the assignment.
5. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend one or more rounds of panel interview/s.
The complete process usually takes 2 to 3 weeks. Those moving to the final round of interviews will be hearing from the People & Culture team. We prefer in person meetings but in case of location distances, we are happy to meet you virtually.
After the final round, if you are not selected for the position advertised, we will inform you over a mail. However, we invite you to apply to other open positions. We always look forward to engaging with talent that add value to our endeavours in various capacities.

PCI is committed to prevent any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct.