Head - Supply Chain

Company Overview

Chheda's is one of India's most loved snack brands, with a legacy built on quality and a 400 Cr+ Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) business. We operate across General Trade (GT), Modern Trade (MT), and E-commerce channels, and are on an aggressive growth trajectory.

Job Summary

The Supply Chain Head will be the single point of accountability for procurement, production planning, warehousing, logistics, and distribution. This is a critical leadership role that bridges production and market, ensuring the right product is available at the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost. The role requires both strategic thinking and hands-on execution in a fast-paced Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) environment.

Responsibilities

• Supply Chain Strategy & Planning

  • Design and own the end-to-end supply chain strategy aligned with business growth objectives.
  • Develop and lead the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process to synchronize demand and supply.
  • Drive demand forecasting, production scheduling, and capacity planning in collaboration with Sales and Production teams.
  • Build supply chain resilience through alternate vendor development and contingency planning.
  • Identify and mitigate supply chain risks proactively.

• Procurement & Vendor Management

  • Oversee procurement of raw materials, packaging materials, and indirect supplies.
  • Develop and manage a robust vendor base, negotiate contracts, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and pricing to drive cost efficiencies.
  • Conduct periodic vendor audits and performance reviews.
  • Drive import substitution and localisation initiatives where applicable.
  • Maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure continuity of supply.

• Warehouse & Inventory Management

  • Manage all warehouse operations such as inbound, storage, picking, packing, and outbound dispatch.
  • Set optimal inventory norms (safety stock, reorder levels, min-max) to prevent stockouts and overstocking.
  • Implement FIFO (First In, First Out)/FEFO (First Expired, First Out) practices critical to food and snack product shelf-life management.
  • Track and minimize warehouse losses, shrinkage, and expired/damaged stock.
  • Oversee multi-location warehousing including CFA/depot network management.

• Logistics & Distribution

  • Ensure On-Time, In-Full (OTIF) delivery across GT, MT, and E-commerce channels.
  • Manage primary freight (factory to warehouse) and secondary logistics (warehouse to distributor/retailer).
  • Partner with Third-Party Logistics (3PL) providers and transporters; evaluate and renegotiate contracts periodically.
  • Optimize last-mile delivery routes and reduce freight cost per case.

• Channel-Specific Operations

  • Manage distributor inventory and replenishment cycles in General Trade (GT); reduce distributor out-of-stock situations.
  • Ensure compliance with retailer-mandated lead times, Advance Shipping Notice (ASN), and fill rate benchmarks in Modern Trade (MT).
  • Manage fulfillment SLAs for Quick Commerce platforms (Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto) and marketplaces (Amazon, Flipkart); coordinate warehouse teams for e-commerce-ready packaging and dark store replenishment.

• Operations & Process Optimization

  • Streamline supply chain processes to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs.
  • Implement best practices in procurement, vendor management, and demand planning.
  • Leverage technology and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for end-to-end supply chain visibility.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean/Six Sigma or equivalent methodologies.
  • Identify automation opportunities in warehouse and dispatch operations.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Work closely with the Sales team for demand inputs and new product launch planning.
  • Coordinate with Production/Manufacturing to align production plans with demand forecasts.
  • Partner with Finance for cost tracking, working capital management, and budgeting.
  • Collaborate with the Quality team to ensure compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), food safety, and quality standards.
  • Liaise with vendors, transporters, and 3PL providers to continuously improve service levels.

• Team Management

  • Build, mentor, and lead the supply chain team across procurement, warehouse, and logistics functions.
  • Set individual Key Result Areas (KRAs), conduct performance reviews, and develop succession plans.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in Supply Chain/Operations, preferably in FMCG or Food & Beverage.
• Proven experience managing multi-channel distribution (GT, MT, E-commerce).
• Hands-on experience with warehouse management, 3PL operations, and freight negotiations.
• Strong command of ERP systems (SAP / Oracle / Microsoft Dynamics or similar).
• Exposure to quick commerce fulfillment operations is a strong plus.
• MBA/PGDM in Supply Chain, Operations, or General Management preferred.
• APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) / CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) certification is an added advantage.

Preferred Skills

• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent negotiation and vendor relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-growth, dynamic environment.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build systems and processes from scratch.
• High ownership orientation with a bias for action.

Experience

• 8+ years of relevant experience in supply chain management or operations, specifically within the FMCG or Food & Beverage sectors.

Environment

This role offers the opportunity to work in an office environment located in Mumbai, with potential for a dynamic work culture that encompasses both strategic oversight and operational involvement.

Salary

Compensation of up to ₹30 LPA will be commensurate with the candidate’s skills, experience, and overall suitability for the role.

Growth Opportunities

The role allows for direct collaboration with leadership in shaping the supply chain strategy for a high-growth, iconic Indian snack brand, with opportunities to build and institutionalize supply chain processes at scale.

Benefits

• Meritocratic culture that rewards impact and initiative, promoting career advancement and development opportunities.