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- Director - Rice Procurement & Excellence to architect and execute our comprehensive rice category strategy. Rice represents one of our largest revenue categories and is central to our marketplace success. - Reporting to the Chief Merchandising Officer (CMO), you will own end-to-end rice procurement excellence across our B2B marketplace, retail network, and emerging HORECA (Hotels, Restaurants, Catering) business. - With our 150,000+ retailer network, you will lead direct sourcing optimization while building and managing a team of regional rice buyers across key production zones. - Your mandate: Deliver consistent rice procurement excellence through supplier mastery, regional team leadership, and operational discipline ensuring reliable supply, competitive pricing, and quality standards that support our regional growth strategy. Key Responsibilities 1. 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 &gt;80% direct sourcing target through scale-enabled mill partnerships - Outmaneuver organized and unorganized competition through superior supplier relationships, pricing intelligence, and procurement innovation - Establish us 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 2. 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 us advantageously against organized and unorganized competitors 3. 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 reputation with retailers - Proactively manage FSSAI compliance and food safety requirements across all supplier relationships and sourcing activities 3. 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 4. 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 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 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 5. 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 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 6. 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 (&gt;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 (&gt;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)

Bangalore

Director -  Procurement & Excellence - Rice 

Job Description for Director -  Procurement & Excellence - Rice  in Grassik Search Pvt Ltd in  Bangalore for (12-20) years of experience. Apply Now!