Milk Procurement Manager (Milk Processing Unit)

Position Overview

This full-time role is centered on overseeing the complete raw milk sourcing process for a milk processing unit. The manager will make sure the plant receives a steady flow of good-quality milk at competitive costs, while building effective working ties with farmers, village collection points, bulk milk coolers, milk societies, transport partners, and field staff.

The position also covers expansion of the procurement network, quality control, supply chain improvement, farmer development efforts, budget control, and adherence to food safety and regulatory requirements.

Reporting Structure

The role reports to the General Manager Operations, Plant Head, or Chief Operating Officer.

Core Responsibilities

Plan procurement requirements to match daily plant consumption and production schedules, while keeping supply uninterrupted through both peak and lean seasons. Design procurement zones, improve routes, track volume trends, and ensure targets are met within the approved budget.

Strengthen the farmer and supplier base by expanding into new procurement locations, increasing enrollment and retention, running awareness and engagement programs, and supporting initiatives that improve farm productivity, animal health, and animal welfare.

Oversee village collection centers and bulk milk coolers by checking their functioning, supervising collection timing and transport movement, ensuring equipment calibration, and reducing collection losses and waste.

Maintain strict milk quality standards by checking parameters such as fat content, SNF, MBRT, adulteration indicators, temperature, and microbiological quality. Reject non-compliant milk where required, coordinate testing with the quality team, and maintain traceability across operations.

Control procurement cost per liter, manage incentive and pricing structures, assess expansion economics, and reduce transportation and chilling expenses.

Coordinate the logistics network to ensure timely movement of milk to processing facilities, improve tanker utilization, optimize routes, and maintain hygiene and sanitation of vehicles.

Lead procurement officers, field officers, collection supervisors, BMC operators, and transport coordinators. Review performance, provide training, and build internal succession pipelines.

Track KPIs, prepare daily, weekly, and monthly reports, and maintain complete procurement records and MIS dashboards covering volume, cost, quality, farmer additions, and route efficiency.

Ensure compliance with food safety standards, internal SOPs, procurement policies, and environmental requirements. Conduct audits, investigate losses or irregularities, and implement corrective and preventive actions.

Qualifications and Experience

The preferred academic background is B.Tech or B.Sc in Dairy Technology. B.V.Sc is an added preference, and an MBA in Operations or Agribusiness is an advantage.

Candidates should have 8 to 15 years of experience in dairy procurement operations, including at least 5 years in a managerial capacity. Prior exposure to milk collection networks and farmer management is preferred.

Working Conditions

This is a field-driven position that involves frequent travel to villages and procurement locations. The work also requires early-morning monitoring of operations and regular on-ground supervision.

Authority and Decision-Making

The role includes authority to approve milk procurement schedules, recommend procurement pricing, sanction field operating expenses within delegated limits, and suggest expansion of routes and collection centers.

Performance Measures

Success in the role will be measured by daily milk procurement volume, procurement cost per liter, milk quality compliance, farmer retention, procurement growth, chilling efficiency, transportation cost reduction, milk rejection rate, collection accuracy, and area expansion.