Business Head - Agri

About Business:

Adani Group: Adani Group is a diversified organisation in India comprising 10 publicly traded companies. It has created a world class logistics and utility infrastructure portfolio that has a pan-India presence. Adani Group is headquartered in Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat, India. Over the years, Adani Group has positioned itself to be the market leader in its logistics and energy businesses focusing on large scale infrastructure development in India with O & M practices benchmarked to global standards. With four IG rated businesses, it is the only Infrastructure Investment Grade issuer in India.

Adani Agri Fresh Limited (AAFL): Adani Agri Fresh Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, has established itself as a pivotal entity in India's agricultural landscape. Dedicated to enhancing the livelihoods of apple farmers in Himachal Pradesh, AAFL has developed India's largest integrated apple supply chain, featuring state-of-the-art controlled atmosphere storage facilities in key apple-growing regions.

Through its 'Farm-Pik' brand, AAFL ensures the delivery of fresh, high-quality apples to consumers. In just 15 years, AAFL has transformed the apple industry by significantly increasing farmer incomes, enhancing orchard productivity, and improving the overall quality of produce. Its advanced fruit storage solutions have propelled Farm-Pik into India's largest apple brand.

Aligned with the Adani Group's philosophy of "Growth with Goodness," AAFL empowers over 17,000 farmers by providing modern storage infrastructure, fair pricing, and access to broader markets, fostering sustainable agricultural practices and community development.

JOB PURPOSE

This role is responsible for defining the strategic direction, operational excellence, and overall leadership for the organization. This role will oversee all core functions, including Commercial, Engineering, Operations, Procurement, Quality, Sales and Marketing, and Supply Chain Management, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives, market trends, and sustainability goals.

Head AgriFresh - AP

Strategic Leadership and Vision:

• Develop and articulate the strategic direction for the organization, with a focus on the broader vision.
• Drive organizational growth by identifying and leveraging market opportunities, aligning resources, and implementing innovative practices.
• Establish and monitor organizational KPIs, ensuring performance across core functions.
• Lead the transition to sustainable and scalable business practices, prioritizing efficiency, waste reduction, and market responsiveness.

Operational Oversight and Coordination:

• Oversee end-to-end farming, storage, and distribution operations, ensuring consistent quality and timely delivery of perishable goods.
• Lead optimization of the performance of critical infrastructure such as cold storage facilities, controlled atmosphere storage, grading equipment, and distribution networks.
• Develop and enforce standardized operational procedures to maintain quality, safety, and efficiency across all processes.
• Coordinate with engineering and operations teams to ensure peak season readiness and effective resource allocation.

Commercial and Financial Management:

• Lead the development of annual budgets and financial forecasts, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Monitor financial performance, identifying cost-saving opportunities and driving profitability across all business functions.
• Oversee pricing strategies, market positioning, and profitability analysis to enhance competitiveness in the market.
• Develop business cases for capital investment in technology, infrastructure, and market expansion.

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

• Champion the implementation of quality assurance protocols to ensure the highest standards of product freshness and safety.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, food safety regulations (e.g., FSSAI), and environmental guidelines.
• Develop risk management strategies to address operational, regulatory, and financial risks effectively.
• Conduct audits at frequent interval and implement corrective actions to maintain quality and compliance.

Sales and Marketing Leadership:

• Drive sales strategies to penetrate new markets, strengthen relationships with key customers, and achieve revenue targets.
• Oversee marketing initiatives, including branding, promotions, and market research, to enhance visibility and consumer engagement.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to develop campaigns and strategies for peak seasons and new product launches.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Build and lead a high-performing leadership team across all functions, fostering collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Contribute to development of talent management programs to enhance technical and leadership capabilities across the organization.
• Create a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging feedback, innovation, and empowerment at all levels.

Technology and Process Innovation:

• Drive digitization initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, including ERP systems and supply chain technologies.
• Evaluate and adopt emerging technologies to improve farming, storage, and distribution processes.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration to implement innovative solutions for process optimization and waste reduction.

Stakeholder and Community Relations:

• Act as the organization’s representative with external stakeholders, including farmers, distributors, regulatory bodies, and industry associations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local communities, government authorities, and sustainability organizations.
• Mediate and resolve escalated issues related to procurement, labor, and industrial relations in collaboration with HR and operational leaders.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal Stakeholders:

Sales

Operations

Procurement

Legal

HR

Corporate Services

Finance

Distribution Centers

Central Finance

IT

ABEX

Terminal Heads

External Stakeholders:

Vendors

Distributors

Auditors

IT

Regulatory Authorities

Educational Qualification:

Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Horticulture or a related field, MBA in Agri-Business, Marketing or a related field.

Work Experience:

Relevant experience of 16-18 years, preferably in a leadership position in a similar role with a proven track record in driving organizational growth and strategic management.

Preferred Industry:

Experience in the food industry or perishable goods industry is preferred.