Operations Head-Fruits & Vegetables

Jfpl Foods And Beverages; Manjari; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Jagtap Farms Pvt. Ltd. seeks a seasoned Farm Operations Leader to manage day-to-day farm activities, supervise managers and ensure production aligns with business goals.

You will drive planning, budgeting, procurement, quality and compliance, implement SOPs, monitor costs, optimise resources, and lead digital reporting to support growth. Willingness to travel between sites and work in a hands-on farming environment is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agricultural Engineering, Operations Management or a related discipline.
• A relevant diploma with substantial practical experience may also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day farm operations, production activities and site management.
• Develop and implement operational plans aligned with annual objectives.
• Monitor productivity, yield and resource utilisation to improve efficiency.
• Establish and implement SOPs for critical operational activities.

Skills

Leadership

Planning

Problem-solving

Commercial acumen

Data analysis

Vendor negotiation

Communication

Integrity

Hands-on

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Agriculture or related field

Tools

MS Excel

ERP systems

Farm management software

Job description

Key Responsibilities

A. Farm and Operational Management

• Oversee day-to-day farm operations, production activities, maintenance and overall site management.
• Develop and implement operational plans in line with the company's annual business objectives.
• Monitor productivity, yield, resource utilisation and operational efficiency.
• Ensure optimal utilisation of land, machinery, equipment, infrastructure, water and other resources.
• Establish and implement standard operating procedures for all critical operational activities.

B. Planning, Budgeting and Cost Control

• Prepare annual operating plans, production budgets and monthly operational targets.
• Monitor operating expenses and ensure adherence to approved budgets.
• Identify opportunities to reduce input costs, wastage, labour costs and operational inefficiencies without compromising quality.
• Track cost of production, output per acre/unit, and profitability across farm activities.
• Submit periodic performance reports, budget variance analyses and improvement plans to management.

C. Team and Manpower Management

• Lead, supervise and develop farm managers, supervisors, technical staff, workers and support teams.
• Plan manpower requirements based on seasonal and operational needs.
• Define roles, responsibilities, productivity standards and performance targets for team members.
• Ensure effective attendance management, workforce deployment, discipline and employee engagement.
• Build a culture of accountability, safety, teamwork and continuous improvement.

D. Procurement, Inventory and Vendor Management

• Coordinate procurement of seeds, fertilisers, crop protection products, animal feed or other operational inputs, as applicable.
• Identify, evaluate and manage suppliers and service providers.
• Ensure timely availability of quality inputs at competitive prices.
• Maintain proper inventory records and controls for consumables, tools, equipment and agricultural inputs.
• Implement systems to minimise stock losses, pilferage, expiry and unnecessary purchases.
• Ensure that procurement follows the company's approval and documentation processes.

E. Quality, Productivity and Compliance

• Establish quality standards for production, harvesting, storage, handling and dispatch.
• Monitor product quality and ensure compliance with applicable agricultural, food safety, environmental and labour regulations.
• Ensure safe handling and storage of fertilisers, pesticides, chemicals and other hazardous materials, where applicable.
• Maintain operational records, licences, inspection reports and statutory documentation.
• Promote sustainable farming practices, efficient water management and responsible resource utilisation.

F. Maintenance and Infrastructure

• Ensure proper upkeep of farm infrastructure, irrigation systems, machinery, vehicles, storage facilities and utilities.
• Develop preventive maintenance schedules and monitor equipment downtime.
• Coordinate repairs and infrastructure development projects.
• Ensure availability and operational readiness of critical equipment and facilities.

G. Harvesting, Storage and Dispatch

• Plan harvesting and post-harvest activities based on production schedules and market requirements.
• Coordinate grading, sorting, packing, storage, transportation and dispatch, as applicable.
• Minimise post-harvest losses and ensure timely delivery of products.
• Coordinate with sales, marketing, logistics and customers to align production with demand and delivery commitments.

H. MIS, Reporting and Performance Monitoring

• Develop operational dashboards and management information systems (MIS).
• Track daily, weekly and monthly operational performance against targets.
• Submit regular reports covering production, yield, manpower, procurement, inventory, costs, quality, wastage and profitability.
• Identify operational risks and recommend corrective and preventive actions.
• Provide data-driven recommendations to management for business growth and operational improvements.

I. Business Growth and Continuous Improvement

• Work with the Managing Director and management team to execute business expansion and improvement initiatives.
• Evaluate opportunities to improve yields, diversify production, adopt technology and optimise processes.
• Support the implementation of farm management software, digital reporting and inventory control systems.
• Drive initiatives to improve operational discipline, transparency, productivity and return on investment.

3. Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agricultural Engineering, Operations Management or a related discipline. A relevant diploma with substantial practical experience may also be considered.
• Approximately 815 years of relevant experience, including at least 35 years in a senior farm operations, agricultural production or operations management role.
• Experience managing large teams, farm infrastructure, operating budgets and multiple operational activities.
• Strong understanding of agricultural production systems, resource planning, procurement and cost management.
• Experience in developing SOPs, performance dashboards, budgets and operational reports.
• Familiarity with farm management software, ERP systems or MS Excel will be an advantage.
• Experience in the specific farming or allied business activities of Jagtap Farms Pvt. Ltd. will be preferred.

4. Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership and people-management capabilities.
• Excellent planning, execution and problem-solving skills.
• Commercial acumen and a clear focus on profitability.
• Ability to analyse operational data and make informed decisions.
• Strong vendor negotiation and resource management skills.
• Effective communication and coordination across departments.
• High standards of integrity, discipline and accountability.
• Practical, hands-on approach with the ability to work in a farm environment.
• Willingness to travel between operational sites and work according to seasonal or business requirements.