Overview
Head of Extension Services -Tamil Nadu Jobs in Tiptur, Karnataka, India at Akshayakalpa Organic
Title: Head of Extension Services -Tamil Nadu
Company: Akshayakalpa Organic
Location: Tiptur, Karnataka, India
Akshayakalpa Organic is India’s first and most significant organic milk producer, reaching about 150,000 households every day in Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. We exist to fix the wrong that has been done to farmers and food in the last few decades. Our resolve is to make it right for both. We do this by creating role model farmers in villages who can inspire other farmers to stay put, grow and thrive in their own villages.
We are Looking for Head of Extension Services – (Tamil Nadu).
Position Summary:
This position plays a pivotal role in the strategic direction and operational efficiency of Procurement Strategy, Procurement Leadership, Strategic Extension Alignment, Sustainability, Regulatory Compliance, Cross-functional Collaboration, Farmer Partnership and extension services across Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Maharashtra. This role will balance long-term planning with hands-on leadership to drive growth and support local farmers and communities.
A dynamic leader to manage the Extension Services and Procurement operations for the Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Maharashtra clusters. This role involves optimizing procurement processes, scaling infrastructure, building strong relationships with farmers and suppliers, and promoting sustainable practices.
Head of Extension Services & Procurement – TN Cluster will possess a balance of strategic vision and operational expertise, driving efficiency and growth across these regions. Responsibilities include establishing and leading teams across key operational areas such as mechanical services, farm equipment management, veterinary services, logistics, procurement, and farm development.
This role requires a strategic leader with a focus on infrastructure development, process optimization, and the enhancement of milk production quality and sustainability across the TN cluster.
1. Strategic Responsibilities:
a. Develop and execute procurement strategies that align with the company’s long-term business goals, ensuring cost-effective, timely, and high-quality sourcing from farmers and suppliers.
b. Lead end-to-end procurement activities, ensuring cost optimization, timely supply, and quality assurance, while tracking and analysing performance metrics (KPIs) to drive operational improvements.
c. Align extension services with the overall business strategy, ensuring scalability and sustainable growth in both agricultural and dairy operations.
d. Champion sustainable farming and procurement practices by promoting environmentally friendly methods and aligning with social governance standards.
e. Ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements across procurement and extension services, including agricultural policies, ethical sourcing, and traceability practices.
f. Promote cross-functional collaboration with finance, marketing, and operations departments to ensure seamless integration of procurement and extension services into the overall business.
g. Foster long-term partnerships with farmers to secure a reliable milk supply chain and support procurement and extension initiatives.
2. Team Leadership & Development:
a. Build and lead a high-performing team of procurement specialists and extension officers across the three clusters.
b. Mentor and develop talent within the team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
c. Recruit and establish specialized teams, including:
d. Mechanical Services & Farm Equipment: Manage the deployment of BMCs and farm equipment services.
e. Chilling Operations: Oversee chilling operations.
f. Logistics & Procurement: Efficiently handle logistics and procurement activities.
g. Veterinary & Para Services: Provide veterinary care and para services to enhance livestock health.
h. Farm Development & Screening: Screen farms and manage development activities.
3. Infrastructure Development:
a. Oversee the expansion of Bulk Milk Coolers (BMCs) and the strategic deployment of milk procurement infrastructure across TN cluster to improve operational efficiency.
b. Facilitate the documentation process, including energy meter setup, FSSAI licensing, and platform preparation for chilling operations.
c. Collaborate with farmers to build chilling infrastructure on-site, ensuring proper systems are in place for effective BMC deployment.
d. Oversee the deployment and expansion of BMCs, ensuring operational readiness, compliance, and adherence to quality standards from installation to day-to-day operations.
4. Operations & Execution:
a. Execute a village pilot project to test and refine processes before broader deployment, focusing on milk procurement systems, BMC deployment, and milk lifting procedures.
b. Work closely with farmers capable of managing 1,000-liter chilling operations and clearly communicate terms and conditions to ensure transparency and commitment.
5. Manage milk procurement operations, including:
a. Timely collection from farm gates, ensuring efficient route management.
b. Overseeing testing at BMC sites to maintain high-quality milk standards.
c. Ensuring proper chilling and storage without compromising quality.
d. Optimize milk lifting processes to meet daily supply targets and minimize wastage, ensuring smooth operations across the TN cluster.
e. Organize milk logistics and monitor the movement from procurement to delivery, ensuring minimal wastage and on-time delivery.
f. Identify target areas and onboard farmers to participate in the program.
g. Manage farmer relationships, including negotiating terms, managing risks, and adhering to ethical standards.
h. Raise supply indents and coordinate farm supplies, such as feed, equipment, cleaning agents, Dairies, Cow tags and other essentials for farmers, ensuring smooth delivery.
6. Extension Services & Farmer Support:
a. Design and implement extension programs to improve farm productivity and quality of produce through technology adoption, farm supplies, and training workshops.
b. Deliver training and capacity-building initiatives for farmers to enhance their understanding of modern agricultural techniques, sustainable practices, and new technologies.
c. Deploy veterinary and para veterinary services at farms to support animal health and improve milk yield.
d. Work with veterinarians to establish preventive care programs and on Call Treatments, prioritizing livestock health to enhance productivity.
e. Promote best practices such as calf rearing, Total Mixed Ration (TMR) feeding, free-stalling systems, and farm hygiene protocols (CMP, CIP).
f. Lead efforts in fodder development and silage production to support sustainable livestock nutrition.
7. Monitoring & Optimization:
a. Monitor the movement of milk from procurement to delivery, ensuring minimal wastage and smooth operations across clusters.
b. Optimize inventory management to ensure a continuous supply flow and prevent delays in delivery.
c. Ensure that proper procedures for Clean Milk Production (CMP) and Clean-In-Place (CIP) hygiene protocols are followed at all farms.
d. Oversee testing and adherence to quality standards, ensuring all milk meets required standards.
8. Qualifications & Experience:
a. Bachelor's or master's degree in agriculture, Agribusiness, Dairy Science, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
b. 10+ years of experience in procurement, agricultural extension services, or dairy operations, with leadership experience.
c. Strong understanding of the agricultural and dairy ecosystem in TN region.
d. Proven track record of managing procurement processes, team leadership, and building relationships with farmers and suppliers.
e. Familiarity with sustainability practices, agricultural policies, and regulatory compliance.
