TechnoServe - Manager - Market Linkages - Fruit Crops

- The Manager Market Linkages will develop the domestic and export markets for Fruit Crops (Grapes / Pomegranates) and will be responsible for market linkages and value chain development of the commodities in the program. Specific tasks include:

- Build and maintain commercially viable partnerships between producers, exporters, processors, and buyers

- Develop and maintain business relationships with organized retail, institutional buyers, traders, and farmer groups to create sustainable marketing

- Facilitate long-term contractual relationships between FPOs, input service providers, and end-market buyers

- Design marketing, promotion, and branding activities for the produce

- Provide implementation-level support to the FPO on all marketing-related activities such as setting up aggregation systems, quality control, farmer training, processing.

- Help establish business linkages bringing marketing connections as well as signed marketing contracts for products produced by the FPO members.

- Support and monitor compliance to all trade-related documentation such as APMC cess, VAT, entry taxes, waybills etc.

- Manage relationships with multiple stake holders including buyers, processing units, local APMCs, agriculture departments, NCDEX, etc.

- Help the FPCs with on-ground problem solving, including negotiating with vendors and service providers, liaison with the local government department etc.

- Support the Project Team, where required, on other thematic areas within the program.

- Support the project leadership in all reporting and compliance matters

- Any other project activity as the need arises or advised by project leadership team

Key requirements:

- Minimum of 10-12 years of experience in a similar position with extensive knowledge in the agriculture input sector and market linkages of the commodity value chain in Grapes / Pomegranates.

- Familiarity of working on ground in implementation programs, experience in business applications for these produce, develop new value chains for domestic and export markets. The incumbent should have extensive experience in marketing of crop commodities.

- Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse team, spread across diverse geographies and to deliver in a time-bound program

- Should have familiarity in managing independently finance, market research, sales, and business planning.

- Excellent communication skills (written and oral) and an ability to build a convincing argument.

- Ability to manage multiple project deliverables simultaneously

- Qualification: MBA/Masters in Agriculture or Rural Development or related fields