International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
Website:
cimmyt.org
Job details:
Description
CIMMYT is a cutting edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries.
For more information, visit cimmyt.org.
We are looking for a driven, service-oriented professional to join us as Business Services Manager –India — someone who thrives in complex environments, is comfortable working across multiple entities, and takes genuine pride in making operations run smoothly.
This role sits at the intersection of two distinct but connected organizations — CIMMYT India and BISA India — operating under a shared services model. Each has its own structures, priorities, and operational footprint, and the BSD Manager will need to understand both well. BISA operates a network of research stations across India, each with its own inventory, warehousing, and field operations requirements. CIMMYT India, while structured differently, has its own operational needs that this role will equally support. Managing both entities means navigating real complexity — different governance lines, different operational rhythms — and doing so with confidence and clarity.
The position is based in India with frequent travel to BISA research stations and CIMMYT operational locations.
The role will be based in New Delhi, India.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities
General Business Services Management
- Lead and coordinate business services operations across both CIMMYT India and BISA India, keeping everything aligned with institutional policies and compliance standards.
- Ensure operational services are delivered efficiently across field stations, offices, warehouses, and research operations.
- Build processes that are structured, scalable, and consistent with CIMMYT’s internal control frameworks and regional direction.
- Work closely with the RBSM – Asia on operational planning, escalation, and decision support — keeping them well-informed with timely updates and field observations.
- Spot operational bottlenecks early and put practical solutions in place to improve efficiency, compliance, and service quality.
- Track and maintain performance indicators across inventory, warehousing, procurement, logistics, facilities, and admin services.
Inventory, Warehouse, and Field Operations
This is a significant part of the role. BISA’s research stations carry diverse and operationally critical inventory, and effective management of these assets is essential to the success of research programmes.
- Oversee inventory and warehouse management across BISA stations and CIMMYT locations in India.
- Maintain strong controls over seed inventory, agrochemicals and fertilizers, fuel and consumables, and harvested produce and agricultural by-products.
- Ensure warehouses are well-organised, with clear zoning, storage standards, stock movement controls, and regular physical verification.
- Keep inventory traceable through proper documentation, batch tracking, and reconciliation processes.
- Support the rollout and ongoing use of Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) inventory and warehouse modules, working under the direction of the RBSM Asia.
- Manage inter-station inventory movements and ensure documentation and reconciliation are in order.
Procurement, Logistics, and Operational Coordination
- Work with Procurement teams to ensure timely sourcing and movement of operational and agricultural materials.
- Keep procurement, receiving, inventory, and field usage processes well-aligned and free of gaps.
- Monitor operational readiness through the lens of crop seasonality, field station needs, warehouse capacities, and research timelines.
- Coordinate logistics for field operations, input storage and movement, and operational supplies.
- Provide regular operational data, reports, and field updates to the RBSM Asia for regional oversight and management review.
Fleet, Travel, and Facilities Management
With operations spread across multiple research stations and offices, managing fleet, travel, and facilities (Guest houses) is a meaningful part of keeping CIMMYT and BISA running effectively in India.
- Oversee the management of the institutional vehicle fleet across BISA stations and CIMMYT India locations — covering scheduling, maintenance, insurance, road worth in compliance, and safe usage policies.
- Maintain accurate fleet records including logbooks, benefit vehicle assignation and maintenance, service histories, fuel consumption tracking, and driver assignment registers.
- Ensure fleet utilisation is optimised and costs are managed within approved budgets, with regular reporting to the RBSM Asia.
- Coordinate institutional travel arrangements for staff across CIMMYT India and BISA, including ground transportation, inter-station travel, and support for international visitors and mission travel.
- Ensure travel processes comply with CIMMYT/BISA travel policies, authorisation procedures, and safety protocols — particularly for field and remote-location travel.
- Manage facilities across BISA research stations and CIMMYT India offices, including office space, staff accommodation, utilities, use of office guest houses, and common infrastructure.
- Coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance of buildings, equipment, and station infrastructure, ensuring a safe and functional working environment.
- Oversee lease and service agreements for facilities, working with relevant teams on renewals, compliance, and vendor performance.
- Ensure facilities meet required health, safety, and environmental standards, and that any risks are identified and addressed promptly.
- Support planning for station expansions, relocations, or facility upgrades as and when required.
Governance, Compliance, and Internal Controls
- Ensure day-to-day operations comply with CIMMYT/BISA policies, internal controls, and administrative procedures.
- Strengthen governance across warehouse management, inventory controls, documentation and traceability, segregation of duties, and operational approvals.
- Ensure Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards are met for the storage and handling of agrochemicals and other operational materials.
- Keep records, inventory data, and supporting documentation audit-ready at all times.
- Flag significant compliance or control risks to the RBSM Asia promptly for institutional review and follow-up.
Business Continuity and Risk Management
- Maintain operational continuity through disruptions — whether from extreme weather,agricultural emergencies, supply chain issues, or infrastructure challenges.
- Monitor and manage operational risks tied to agro-climatic conditions, seasonal cycles, supply disruptions, and storage vulnerabilities.
- Coordinate station-level mitigation measures and escalate major risks through the RBSM Asia.
- Support preparedness and contingency planning across stations.
Team Leadership and Coordination
- Supervise and support Operations Associates and operational staff at BISA stations.
- Provide operational guidance to Procurement Analysts assigned to India operations, where applicable.
- Build capability within field-based teams through mentorship, hands-on oversight, and training.
- Foster a culture of operational discipline, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure station teams consistently follow approved operational processes, inventory controls, and system requirements.
Qualifications And Experience
- Master’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Hospitality Management, Agricultural Business Management, or a related discipline.
- At least 12 - 15 years of progressively responsible experience in operations, business services, warehouse management, procurement, logistics, or related support functions.
- Proven experience managing multi-location operations, ideally in agricultural, research,development, or international organisation settings.
- Hands-on knowledge of inventory and warehouse management, procurement and logisticscoordination, internal controls, and operational governance.
- Familiarity with ERP systems, with preference for Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365).
- Practical understanding of agricultural operations and seasonality, agrochemical handlingand storage, seed systems, and farm operations.
- Experience managing fleet operations, institutional travel coordination, and facilities orestate management across multiple locations.
- Experience in international organisations, the CGIAR system, NGOs, or researchinstitutions is a strong advantage.
- Willingness and ability to travel frequently to field stations and operational locations withinIndia.
- Strong coordination, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent written and spoken English. Working knowledge of Hindi is an advantage.
Benefits
The position is for an initial fixed-term contract of 12 months, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT offers an attractive remuneration package, with a range of benefits including health insurance.
Candidates must Apply Online for
IN26318 Business Services Manager - India Screening and follow-up of applications will begin on
August 4th 2026. Applications must include a CV with contact details (telephone and email address) of 3 work-related references along with the confirmation that Recruitment team can contact them) and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.
This position is recruited locally. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the duty station country at the time of application. CIMMYT does not provide visa sponsorship or work permit support for locally recruited staff roles.
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.
Click on Apply to know more.
