Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR)

Job Summary: 

The Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) will be a dynamic, hands-on leader responsible for identifying, developing, and scaling new business opportunities and improving existing operations within the organization's honey and NTFP value chains. This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, operational expertise, and a deep understanding of market dynamics, particularly in the natural products, food, and social enterprise sectors. The EIR will work closely with producer communities, internal teams, and external stakeholders to drive innovation, enhance profitability, and expand market reach.

Employment Type: Contract (9 months + 3 months, with potential for extension)

Key Responsibilities:

1. Business Development & Strategy:

• Identify and evaluate market and product market fit with opportunities within the NTFP space (e.g., medicinal plants, wild edibles, resins, fibres) beyond honey, based on market demand and community potential.
• Develop and implement strategies for value addition for existing honey and NTFP products (e.g., specialized honey blends, processed NTFP products, derivatives).
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify trends, consumer preferences, and growth areas in the natural products and food industry.
• Explore new sales channels and partnerships (e.g., B2B, e-commerce, export, institutional sales).
• Develop comprehensive business plans, financial projections, and go-to-market strategies for new initiatives.

2. Operational Excellence & Supply Chain Management:

• Optimize existing honey collection, processing, and packaging operations for efficiency, quality, and scalability.
• Implement best practices for NTFP harvesting, post-harvest handling, and storage to ensure product integrity and minimize waste.
• Improve supply chain logistics from forest to market, focusing on cost-effectiveness and traceability.
• Develop and standardize quality control measures and certifications (e.g., organic, fair trade, FSSAI) for all products.
• Collaborate with producer communities to enhance sustainable harvesting practices and ensure fair compensation.

3. Product Innovation & Branding:

• Lead the conceptualization and development of new product lines and variations based on market insights and community capabilities.
• Work with design and marketing teams to develop compelling branding and packaging for new and existing products.
• Ensure all products meet regulatory compliance and quality standards.

4. Financial Management & Fundraising:

• Develop and manage budgets for new projects and initiatives.
• Identify potential funding sources (e.g., grants, impact investors, venture capital) and assist in preparing proposals and pitches.
• Monitor financial performance of new ventures and provide regular reports.

5. Stakeholder Engagement & Capacity Building:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with producer communities, tribal leaders, forest departments, NGOs, and government agencies.
• Facilitate training and capacity-building programs for producers on sustainable harvesting, quality control, and value addition techniques.
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Agri-business, Forestry, Rural Management, Marketing, or a related field. MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in business development, product management, operations, or a similar entrepreneurial role.
• Proven track record of successfully launching and scaling new products or ventures, preferably in the food, natural products, agriculture, or social enterprise sectors.
• Experience working with rural communities, producer groups, or in the NTFP/forest-based livelihoods sector is highly desirable.
• Understanding of supply chain dynamics in agricultural or natural resource- based industries.
• Experience with ethical sourcing, fair trade, or sustainability initiatives is a strong plus.

Skills:

• Strong entrepreneurial drive and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, resource- constrained environment.
• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Proficiency in financial modeling, budgeting, and business plan development.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including rural communities.
• Fluency in English and [Local Language(s) relevant to the communities] is highly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and business intelligence tools

Attributes:

• Passion for sustainable development, rural livelihoods, and community empowerment.
• High level of integrity, empathy, and cultural sensitivity.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and resilient.
• Willingness to travel extensively to rural and forest areas.