Build. Lead. Develop. Execute. Scale.

Role Snapshot

Position: Operations Head, India
Business: 100% Export Oriented Unit (EOU), grain processing
Location: Near Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India (on site)
Reports to: CEO / Co-Founder / Directors
Employment type: Full time, permanent
Target joining: January 2027

About the Company

Our client is an integrated grain and cereal sourcing, processing and export business in India, serving international customers. With established farmer networks, growing international demand and a new processing facility under development in Rajasthan, the company is entering an important phase of expansion and professionalisation.

Business at a glance

100% Export Oriented Unit (EOU): the entire output is processed for international customers.
Grain processing unit: dedicated grain cleaning, processing and export operations.
Current facility: above 3,000 sq. metres.
Current capacity: 5,000 metric tonnes per year.
Contract farming, seed to cultivation: the company manages the full farm cycle through contract farming, from seed supply to cultivation and harvest, through its established farmer network.
Greenfield expansion: the company is committed to a new greenfield processing facility within the next year, with work commencing by end of 2026. The new unit will be automated on Buhler processing machines.
Growth investments: organic farming, traceability, quality assurance and food safety aligned to BRCGS, EU and US export standards.

Role Purpose

The Operations Head will take full ownership of the company's India operations, develop its people and build a scalable, professionally managed organisation. Today, operations remain heavily dependent on the founders, and the management structure, operational systems, inventory controls and financial administration need further professionalisation. The immediate priority is running and strengthening the current plant; the greenfield facility builds on that foundation.

This is not a plant manager role or a mandate to manage existing systems. The company is looking for a business leader who can build and lead an entire organisation that operates and scales without the founders' involvement in daily operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Operations and Manufacturing

Lead India operations, including grain processing, plant development, production planning and operational performance of the 5,000 MTPA facility.
Alongside day to day ownership of the current plant, support the planning and commissioning of the new greenfield facility, including the automated Buhler processing line, and plan capacity for future scale.
Translate business objectives into measurable results, supported by effective systems, processes and accountability.
Establish clear operational responsibilities, decision making authority and accountability across all functions, including those currently managed by the founders.

2. Contract Farming, Procurement and Supply Chain

Take overall operational accountability for the contract farming programme, from seed distribution and cultivation through to harvest and procurement.
Lead and develop existing sourcing teams, leveraging their established farmer relationships while ensuring effective planning, coordination, performance monitoring and internal controls.
Own procurement, inventory, logistics and export execution in line with EOU requirements.

3. Quality, Traceability and Compliance

Understand, comply with, maintain and train the processing unit as per BRCGS guidelines and EU and US food safety and import requirements, to sustain export quality.
Set up and enforce SOPs for hygiene, sanitation, cleaning and pest control, along with GMP across the processing unit.
Lead operational implementation of food safety, quality assurance, organic certification and farm to export traceability systems.
Work with external specialists and internal teams to strengthen compliance, including BRCGS readiness and effective use of the company's digital farm traceability and ERP systems.
Ensure adherence to EOU and export regulatory requirements, and carry these standards into the new greenfield facility.

4. Financial Administration and Operational Control

Oversee operational budgets, costs, working capital, inventory accounting, stock reconciliation and financial administration.
Establish reliable internal controls, management reporting and financial accountability, while guiding existing administrative employees.

5. People Development and Organisational Leadership

Assess, coach, train and empower existing employees to take greater ownership and responsibility.
Develop employees into capable, independent managers with clear responsibilities, performance expectations and accountability.
Strengthen the existing team and recruit additional talent only where genuine capability gaps exist.
Build an organisation that operates effectively without continuous involvement from the founders.
Developing existing people is a core responsibility of this role, not a secondary HR task.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Operational leadership: proven senior leadership in food processing, agro processing, grain or agricultural commodities, or comparable manufacturing, with a record of managing and scaling operations.
Processing team leadership: able to lead the small team at the current processing unit hands on, structure the workflow on the shop floor and build accountability.
Modern factory practices: able to add value to the management team on modern factory guidelines, automation and regulatory compliance; exposure to automated grain lines (Buhler or similar) and greenfield projects is an advantage.
Food safety and export standards: working knowledge of BRCGS, EU and US export requirements, GMP, hygiene and sanitation SOPs.
Agri sourcing exposure: experience with contract farming, farmer networks or agri procurement is a strong advantage.
Export and EOU exposure: working knowledge of export operations, EOU compliance and international customer requirements.
Supply chain and inventory: strong grasp of procurement, production, inventory management, stock reconciliation and logistics.
Financial understanding: solid knowledge of financial administration, accounting processes, budgeting, cash flow and management reporting.
Systems and execution: proven ability to build effective processes, internal controls and management structures.
People leadership: ability to lead, train and develop existing employees, build accountable teams and delegate effectively.
Entrepreneurial mindset: hands on, commercially minded and comfortable taking ownership in a growing, founder led business.
Location: willingness to be based near Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Previous experience in a grain processing unit in production, operations, plant operations or business operations is an advantage, but leadership ability, demonstrated results and business understanding matter more than job titles or years of experience.

What Success Looks Like

A strong, accountable and independent India organisation that runs the full chain, from contract farming to export, and scales without daily founder intervention.

Why Join

This is an opportunity to shape the future of an ambitious Indian food processing business with international growth potential. The Operations Head will have significant responsibility and autonomy to build operations, develop people and establish the systems needed for sustainable growth.

If you enjoy building businesses, developing people and taking ownership of results, our client would like to meet you.

How to Apply

Upload your CV using the Apply button on this page, or email it to rushikesh@dedicatedhrservices.com with the job title in the subject line. Please include your current package, expected package, notice period and willingness to relocate. All applications are handled in strict confidence by Dedicated HR Services (DHR), Mumbai. The client is named to shortlisted candidates only.

Operations Head, Grain Processing and Export (100% EOU), Rajasthan