The Crop Supply Chain Manager provides end to end global supply chain management for an assigned group of crops. This is an IHQ role co-ordinating the Country execution activities and directly owning the strategies and execution of production planning, sourcing, inventory policies and balancing inventory based on demand and service variations. Provides strategic and tactical direction for all Supply Planning activities for the assigned crops and acts as a single point of contact for all supply chain topics in interactions with Crop Managers. Also provides functional support to Countries on Supply Planning topics. Responsible for the supply chain performance of the assigned group of crops and for executing the global S&OP process.
Key Responsibilities:
End to End Supply Chain Management
- Fully responsible for Planning the assigned crops to include Commercial Seed Production. Provides direction on Best Practices in Supply Planning at Group and Country level. Develops programs to roll out these practices and ensures each Country is delivering the business results expected and using the appropriate tools and processes.
- Directly responsible for balancing inventory at Group level and among Countries. Monitors and supports Countries in Supply Planning and Inventory Management.
- Responsible for Crop Supply Chain KPIs globally (e.g., Seed in Bag, Supply OTIF, Supply Coverage, Inventory, and Write Offs). Collaborates with Crop Managers, SPD, and Seed Procurement to align on managing proper inventory level.
- Works in partnership with Country Supply Chain and Demand Planning on execution and with Crop Managers on strategy and Planning.
- Works closely with the Stock and Foundation seeds team to ensure availability for the long term.
Production Planning
- Creates and maintains the production plan for the assigned crops to ensure high service levels and avoiding write offs and excess inventory.
- Determines the sourcing plan and collaborates with Procurement to ensure the lowest Total Delivered Cost and high service. Develops Sourcing Strategies that achieve business results and mitigate risk.
Leadership of Key Functional Processes
- S&OP : provides analysis to the Global S&OP process in collaboration with the other Crop Supply Chain Managers. Ensures the right business outcome for the assigned crops. Supports Countries in improving their Local S&OP process.
- Production Windows : ensures the on time completion of the E2E process and is responsible for robustness of the plan (demand to inventory to production) and its execution.
- Event Management : coordinates major events across Countries (e.g., regional launches), ensures the best outcome for the Group and collaborates across functions to ensure all activities are completed and achieved on time delivery with high service levels at the agreed cost.
Functional Support & Capability Development in D&SP
- Provides functional support to Countries on Supply Planning and Inventory Management topics, either via coaching, best practice guidance, or active support on specific projects.
- Identifies and develops talent by getting them involved in cross Country projects.
Minimum Requirements:
- Experienced (average of 10-15 years) in Supply Planning and Inventory Management or similar roles in an agriculture or consumer industry.
- Business insight : strong understanding of the wider business, industry and market dynamics. Is able to apply this knowledge into strategy development and spot potential opportunities /risks. 2 Functional knowledge : is an expert in Supply Planning and Inventory Management, and well versed in all aspects of Supply Chain. Can coach and develop the Supply Planning team and explain Supply Chain to others. Is equally comfortable in technical detail and strategy.
- Hands on : can get into details and do things themselves, not just issue instructions from a desk. Strategic mindset: can build a robust plan supported by a clear, logical strategic framework, is able to anticipate and visualize future scenarios.
- Financial acumen: is very comfortable with complex numbers and understands financial analysis. Strong sense of accountability : thinks and acts like an owner.
- Drive for results : passionate to deliver results and is not easily daunted by challenges, strong execution capability.
- Balances stakeholders : is able to consider different views of stakeholders and makes balanced, well thought-out decisions.
- Effectively communicates : is able to package and deliver messages in a clear and convincing manner and able to influence the right action from an audience.
- Agility : is comfortable to shift style or ways of working depending on the business situation; can thrive in an organization where structure /process is still being developed.
- Driven by the need to achieve meaningful results and be part of a purpose-driven organization. Commercially astute : is aware of Commercial ways of working and levers; able to discuss this with Commercial experts; aware of the interconnection between commercial and supply chain activities and able to leverage one to support the other.
- Leads from the front.
Why Join Us
East-West Seed is a global vegetable seed business dedicated to empowering smallholder farmers with high-quality seeds and agronomic knowledge. By joining our team, you'll play a critical role in shaping the future of a purpose-driven organization making a real impact worldwide.
Let's grow together. Apply now to make a difference!
