Associate Manager

Role Title: F&V Sourcing Cluster Lead
Function: Supply Chain / Sourcing – Fruits & Vegetables
Location: Lucknow
Reporting To: Head Fresh – F&V
Grade / Level: Associate Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time
Role Purpose
The F&V Sourcing Cluster Lead will act as the single-point backend sourcing owner for a defined cluster (MP /
UP), managing end-to-end sourcing operations across Open-to-Sky and CEA models, and ensuring timely,
specification-compliant movement of material to Distribution Centres (DCs) aligned with market demand.
This role is critical in ensuring cost-efficient procurement, quality adherence, supply continuity, and seamless
coordination between farms, branch teams, logistics partners, and DCs.
Key Responsibilities
1. End-to-End Sourcing Ownership
A. Own backend sourcing operations for assigned cluster covering Open-to-Sky sourcing and CEA-linked
produce.
B. Translate demand plans into executable sourcing plans aligned with seasonality, crop cycles, and availability.
C. Ensure uninterrupted supply to DCs as per agreed quantity, quality, and timelines.
D. Direct responsible for collection center engagements with farmers & FPOs in branch territory.
E. Training & development of sourcing teams to maintain quality and OTIF.
F. Season planning, alternative geography readiness and operations execution capabilities are key skills.
G. Negotiations and commanding supplies by keeping daily track of production, weather impact, demand &
supply from sourcing regions are core traits. H. Agility to travel and mass communication with team and
farmers will be needed to drive the role.
I. Procurement expertise of Tomato, Green Chilli, Green Peas and Exotic vegetables will be advantage.
2. Branch & Stakeholder Coordination
1. Act as the primary interface between branch sourcing teams, agronomy teams, logistics partners, and DC
operations.
2. Coordinate daily with branch counterparts on harvest planning, aggregation schedules, and dispatch
readiness.
3. Ensure smooth handoffs between sourcing, grading, packing, and transportation.
3. Quality & Specification Adherence
1. Ensure all sourced material meets defined market/DC specifications (grade, size, residue norms, packaging).
2. Work closely with QA teams to manage rejections, shortfalls, and corrective actions at source.
3. Drive process discipline at sourcing points to minimize losses and rework.
4. Logistics & Dispatch Management
1. Plan and monitor farm-to-DC logistics, ensuring on-time dispatches and optimal vehicle utilization.
2. Coordinate with transporters and branch logistics teams to manage deviations, delays, or contingencies.
3. Track transit losses, damages, and lead time adherence.
5. Data, MIS & Performance Tracking
1. Track key sourcing KPIs: volumes procured vs plan, rejection %, dispatch adherence, cost per kg, DC service
levels.
2. Maintain regular MIS and dashboards for cluster performance