Technical Executive - Cocoa Operations

About the Role

Join Mondelēz International's India team dedicated to fostering sustainable cocoa sourcing that aligns with Cocoa-Life objectives, focusing on sustainable farming methods, improving livelihoods in cocoa farming communities, environmental conservation, and maintaining the company's reputation.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily activities of the cocoa nursery ensuring adherence to processes and excellent maintenance.
• Monitor and report progress through detailed KPI tracking to support benchmarking and improvements.
• Educate farmers and community members on cocoa cultivation, benefits, good agricultural practices, and sustainability initiatives including women training, drip irrigation, and support for marginal farmers.
• Collaborate with government horticulture and agriculture officials to implement cocoa-related programs.
• Gather data for crop forecasting and market intelligence to aid pricing decisions.
• Oversee interactions with third-party operators involved in cocoa procurement and processing.
• Develop cocoa areas by identifying farmers and new growing zones.
• Manage cocoa crop science activities including nursery care, plantation & development management, agronomy, and farmer retention.
• Coordinate with commission-based third-party buying partners for cocoa procurement, ensure delivery accountability, monitor bean quality, and manage dispatch documentation to factories.
• Provide training to farmers on post-harvest handling and quality control.
• Engage in Cocoa Life community development programs via NGO partnerships, agro-forestry, CSR, and sustainability activities.
• Supervise nursery and third-party collection staff and educate workers about quality standards.
• Support research collaborations with institutions such as Kerala Agriculture University and CPCRI, assisting senior staff as needed.
• Liaise with local government officials and ensure compliance with regulations including FSSAI licensing.
• Implement sustainability and safety initiatives within operations.
• Utilize digital tools for farmer onboarding, farm polygon mapping, and enhance procurement processes.

Qualifications & Skills

• Strong analytical abilities combined with a disciplined approach to processes.
• Practical knowledge of agriculture with a focus on commercial applications.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills.
• Capability to work independently and manage tasks without direct supervision.
• Expertise in agronomy, horticulture, nursery management, farmer training, and field operations.
• Commitment to company policies, compliance, and sustainable practices.

Additional Information

This position involves significant field visits and community interaction, requiring teamwork and networking skills to work effectively with rural communities and various stakeholders including government departments, research institutions, NGOs, and vendors. There is no relocation assistance offered for this job.

About the Company

Mondelēz India Foods Pvt. Ltd. has a heritage of over 70 years delivering popular brands like Cadbury chocolates, Bournvita, Oreo, and others. Employing over 3,300 people, the company operates across various locations in India including sales offices and manufacturing plants, with a reputation for diversity and inclusion. Mondelēz International is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace equality.