Under The Mango Tree
Value Chain Manager
Company Website: www.utmt.in
Company Background
Under The Mango Tree (UTMT) is a social enterprise hybrid that creates market access for poor primary producers while simultaneously increasing their agricultural productivity by assisting them with the adoption of sustainable and fair-trade farming practices.
UTMT Pvt. Ltd. was born out of a need to create long term, sustainable market access for India’s small farmers and beekeepers and was founded on the premise of bringing India’s diverse honey to the urban market. Along with introducing consumers to the variety of honey available, UTMT wanted to ensure fair prices for the farmer-beekeeper and facilitate long-term, sustainable market access. UTMT currently sources honey from seven states across India.
Under The Mango Tree Society, the non-profit arm, aims to address the capacities of small and marginal farmers and enable them to add beekeeping with indigenous bees to their basket of activities. Beekeeping is one of the only forms of agriculture input that has an overwhelming positive impact on agriculture yields and farming incomes. UTMT currently works in tribal regions of Gujarat and Maharashtra and has trained close to 1500 farmers in beekeeping.
Role Description
The Value Chain Manager will be responsible for building processes to enable farmers and producer groups build and improve capacity and ensure efficient supply to meet growing demand. As UTMT continues to scale its operations, it is imperative that the organization builds a strong and dynamic supply chain to bolster their efforts. The individual applying to this role should be process oriented and systematic in thought. This role will require the following:
- Development and implementation of efficient honey procurement practices from beekeepers; aggregation at various collection points and the establishment of quality control measures from collection to packaging.
- Create an efficient supply chain for procurement and distribution of inputs such as bee boxes, swarm bags and bee veils to beekeepers.
Key Responsibilities
- Build a comprehensive understanding of UTMT’s supply chain across all its sourcing partners
- Oversee the procurement of honey and beeswax and ensure implementation of quality standards
- Help create quality control systems that can be scaled up as the organization continues to grow=
- Review ways in which UTMT can reduce inventory holding costs
- Design, develop, implement and monitor honey and beeswax production at the villages in a cost effective manner
- Implement and manage the farmer MIS system for efficient input supply and aggregation of honey collected
- Manage input procurement and distribution and collection, aggregation and distribution in a timely, cost effective manner that maintains quality control and good management practices.
- Manage UTMT’s organic certification process of farms and farmers
- Work closely with farmers, Master Trainers, Self Help Groups and local carpenters in skill building for supply of necessary inputs
- Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations and government agencies
- Work closely with local UTMT teams, Master trainers and partner organization staff for achievement of objectives
Qualifications
- Prior experience in operations management is preferred
- Excellent communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage processes
- Flexible, detail-oriented, organized, adaptable to changing priorities and ability to take the initiative and to meet strict deadlines
- Ability to work in a challenging environment with minimum supervision
- Ability to work well with others on a small team
- Demonstrated capacity to work in a challenging, rural environment and willingness to learn quickly
- Knowledge of Gujarati and/or Marathi will be an advantage
- Dedication to the vision and mission of the organization
Logistics
- This role will be based out of UTMT’s office in Mumbai, Maharashtra in India with periods of stay required at UTMT’s field office in Gujarat, India
- Travel and stay in villages is required
- Travel to UTMT partner organizations in rural and semi-urban areas across India will be required
- Limited A/C, Internet, and phone access at times
