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Anil Chopra

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Anil Chopra
74, Vidya Vihar, Sector-9, Rohini,
Delhi, India 110 085
Tel.: (91) (11) 2756 2421   Mobile: +91- 98118-14559   Email: anilchopra@anilchopra.com

FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN PROFESSIONAL

A potent leader engaged in exponential multiplication of his expertise, knowledge and beliefs in transformation of primitive, traditional agricultural marketing systems into a modern, transparent and efficient platform thereby significantly contributing to the economies of developing countries.

EXPERIENCE

Competent AgriSolutions Pvt Ltd. - (Current) - Competent AgriSolutions Pvt Ltd After a successful long inning at few quasi Govt organizations and corporates in food sector, founded Competent AgriSolutions Pvt Ltd in August 2009. Besides being a full service Supply Chain Solutions and Consultancy in perishable food product retail and processing domains, contributing knowledge resources and cross linking opportunities towards overall improvement of retail and agribusinesses both a backend and frontend through consulting and interim management assignments anywhere in the World, is the main mandate of Competent AgriSolutions.

Position - Founder and Managing Director

Achievements

As a team leader on personal level he has spearheaded following major projects since incorporation of this company.

Some recent consulting and interim management assignments:

  • Conducted a Pan Indian level study for two major quasi Indian Govt clients for understanding the price discovery mechanism of the onion markets and determining the role of market intermediaries and market imperfections in general and in special market situations such as glut and shortages. The study was in response to onion price spike in India last December / January.
  • Concept to commissioning consulting assignment to establish a multi format and multichannel fresh produce urban retail system in metropolitan region of Chennai in India for a South India based World renowned large non-profit institution. Building and servicing communities of farmers and consumers at backend and frontend and leveraging organization’s social capital are integral part of assignment.
  • Streamlining and revamping end to end fresh produce and frozen supply chain in cold chain environment for a large Serbia based East European Multinational Retailer having 380 stores in 4 retail formats across 6 countries
  • Development of an integrated fruit and vegetables supply chain and for an urban retail project in Dhaka, Bangladesh by Fresh & Safe Agro Limited. Project is modeled as an end to end farmer to consumer market linkage project with organic vegetable production and with developmental emphasis on gains to local farmers from integration process.
  • Study towards Project Implementation plan for establishing complete fresh produce supply chain in Oman – Project envisages setting up of exclusive small format fruit / vegetable, dairy products, meat and bakery retail chain linked to domestic growers and cooperatives in Oman.
  • Concept to commissioning consulting for a fresh produce retail project for a large financial institution in India, to establish an innovative pan Indian urban retail system in Delhi / NCR region of India. Warehouse and Cash & Carry Stores to act as re-distribution points on hub and spoke model with mobile push carts were integral part of the system.
  • Fresh Cut processing, storage and distribution project under cold chain environment for a Delhi based corporate group with cold chain interest.
  • A project for SHG formation, facilitation for hi-tech agri & processing infrastructure with market linkage through organized retail & wholesale in urban conglomerates for a quasi Govt. institution in Uttarakhand, a developing hill State in India..
  • Revamping Warehousing, distribution, retail and IT operations – a short term consulting assignment for a Delhi based retail chain owned by a major Indian rice exporter, with 50 plus stores under LM 365 brand.
  • Establishment of a community organic farm on land share basis for a large food product retailer and restaurateur – The project is at conception stage.
  • Provided consultancy to a subsidiary of International Traceability Systems  for setting up and management and marketing of organic and inorganic fruit and vegetable produced by their associated farmers through own retail and / or supply to other retailers.
  • In addition to above, within days of company incorporation, he organized vegetable growers in Delhi rural and adjoining States in India and set up farmers’ managed three Collection Centers to pool their fresh produce for onward supply to large retail chains including Big Bazar, Aditya Birla, Heritage and Bharti Delmonte, besides servicing some caterers and orders suppliers across India. Farmers were very happy with this direct farmer – market linkage initiative.
  • Established a fresh produce processing and marketing company to minimally processed fruit and vegetables in an innovative manner and market same in hygienic customer friendly packs. Introduced trimmed shrink wrapped tender coconut, a runaway success, first time in India.
  • Appointed as Mentor with ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) for the Network of Indian Agri-Business Incubators.
  • Spearheaded company’s empanelment with SFAC (Small Farmers’ Agri-business Consortium) a premier institution set-up by Govt. of India for the promotion and development of small farmers’ agri-business activities.
  • Became member of IFAMA, USA (International Food & Agribusiness Management Association).

REI Six Ten Retail Ltd – (2009) - REI Agro Ltd was established in the year 1994 with a vision to consolidate the fragmented basmati rice industry. In a short span of time it rose to the position of an undisputed leadership in the industry. REI Agro launched its 6Ten chain of retail outlets in last quarter of the fiscal of 2006-7 as part of its objective to get closer to end customer. With 371 neighborhood stores in 9 Indian States presently, 6Ten is a retail brand to reckon with. REI is in process of convering its retail chain business model from ‘company owned – company operated’ to franchisee operations.
 
Position - Functional Consultant (Fruit & Vegetables)

Inducted on a short term functional consulting assignment with an express brief to quickly turnaround a bloated, wholesale market driven supply chain into a thin and lean ‘direct from supply source’ driven low cost distribution model, he quickly achieved following in a span of just one and a half month only without disturbing the running operations since last two years.

Achievements

  • Established 5 new Collection Centers across the 5 Indian States for sourcing fresh produce directly from farmers. This brought down the procurement share of wholesale markets by 45% resulting in saving on product procurement cost by a whopping 20% plus. Substantial improvement in freshness and quality because of this action however can’t be quantified.
  • Brought down the transport fleet size by 18% resulting in saving over Rs 2 Lakh a month on transport bill.
  • Reduced wage bill by trimming down manpower by almost 50% bringing down the manpower cost and tremendous improvement in people productivity. 
  • Just 14000 Sq ft warehouse used in servicing morning 6 AM daily deliveries at 185 plus stores in Delhi / NCR region.
  • Changed the warehouse operations from ‘own’ to ‘outsource’ to wean out inefficiencies and rationalize manpower deployment.
  • Implemented all together new Indenting, Pricing & Price Benchmarking, Logistics and reporting system in spite of good resistance from staff for maintaining status quo. Blending some fresh experienced talent with old staff and nurturing the blend as a supportive team made this possible in quick span.

Reliance Retail Ltd (RRL) – (2006 -2009) - As a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd, RRL is gearing up to revolutionize the retailing industry in India and is aggressively working on introducing a pan-India network of retail outlets in multiple formats.

Postion - AVP & Business Head Fresh, frozen and processed Fruit & Vegetables- Location Delhi

Supported by a band of young professionals, he spearheaded quick establishment of Fruit & Vegetables business operations for Reliance’s ambitious retail initiatives in flagship territory of Delhi / NCR and Haryana.

Achievements – Starting from zero base, launched fresh produce category at Reliance Fresh stores in flat two and half months by;

  • Building capacity in terms of sourcing fresh produce directly from farm production / supply areas by establishing Collection Centers across the 5 neighboring States,
  • Establishing  a large warehouse complex to handle, process, consolidate fresh produce,
  • Building / renewing relationship with hundreds of stakeholders across the chain to feed / oil the supply chain
  • Organizing a market intelligence network for price benchmarking both at wholesale  as well as retail side,
  • Logistics planning for very complex geography that is NCR which falls in three States with many vehicle entry barriers and restrictions.
  • Category merchandising, demand planning and price / promotion management at front end – a ticklish job considering price / market spread in retail at thousand unorganized retail markets.
  • Building a strategic team to manage thin and lean supply chain.
  • Establishing a modern fresh cut vegetable facility to cut, pack and distribute fresh cut vegetables – a first of such unit for a retail chain in NCR.
  • Presently 130 stores and 5 Hypermarkets are served fresh produce on 24x7x365 basis for a 60 Crore plus per annum profitable business with net margins going up to 9%.
  • Few of the low cost warehousing, distribution models (Direct Store Delivery by cutting down distribution time) and techno initiatives (market information system) undertaken by team are industry first in organized sector and have completely rebuild the supply chain value proposition for perishable produce. Within Reliance Retail, these models developed by local team have been replicated all across India.

Subhiksha, a Chennai based pan Indian supermarket discount chain – (2005-2006)


Head of Business Operations (Fruit & Vegetables) – North Unit – Location Delhi
Based out of Delhi till 5th October 2006 as Business Head of the Subhiksha’s horticulture business in North Unit with PnL responsibility, he initiated setting up of Subhiksha’s first ever fruit and vegetable retail and semi-wholesale business.


Achievements

  • Quick establishment of a supply chain to fit into Subhiksha’s overall discount retailing strategy.
  • Quick roll out of 55 stores operational all across Delhi in just three months.
  • Subhiksha, a hitherto unknown business entity in Northern India gets a brand identity in Delhi before final launch of supermarket and telecom business three month later.
  • Unexpected customer pull, good business, and also a good competition to already entrenched Mother Dairy’s Safal retail outlets.

Safal Auction Market, Bangalore, a brain child of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) which has been established to usher in a new chapter to the business of wholesaling horticultural commodities in India. (2004-2005)


Postion - Head (Business Development) – North / West / East operations – Location Delhi

As Head of the group he was inducted to develop a supplier base across Northern / Western / Eastern India to cater to Safal Market’s requirements in relation to sourcing of stored and fresh produce. His responsibilities included development of markets and buyers in his territory for marketing of horticultural commodities available through Safal Market’s supply infrastructure in South India.


Achievements

  • Strategic Team Building – Built, placed and managed a team, practically from scratch, at potential locations across his territory to execute Safal Market’s supply objective in just two months. Local teams were effectively deployed to ensure regular supplies for auction as per Safal Market’s quantity, quality, packaging, delivery and price requirements from day one.
  • Capacity Building – In just 4 months he was able to build business alliances with more than 20 Cold / Dry store owners and users in Delhi, Haryana, UP, Maharashtra to achieve Safal Market’s supply chain objectives. Job entailed designing and signing of formal and informal MOUs, Agreements and Contracts.
  • Institution Development – Facilitated development of 10 growers’ institutions in HP, UP, Maharashtra for exclusive supplies to Safal Market in first 5 months. Integrated growers, exiting growers’ organizations, institutions and traders as registered suppliers.
  • Infrastructure Building – Initiated this exercise at 5 locations for direct / indirect productive impact on supplies to Safal Market in near future. This would entail establishment of Sorting / Grading lines for Apples / Oranges / Potato / Kinnow and modern dry warehouse and cold storage for Onions.
  • Relationship Building – Revived, refreshed and made contacts with many old and new suppliers / buyers / APMCs in Delhi, Pb. Haryana, HP, UP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, J&K etc to ensure smooth licensing for uninterrupted supplies / sales for Safal Market. 
  • Promotion and publicity of Safal Market concept at all suppliers’ / non-supplier meets / industry forums with effective use of IT tools and electronic media.

Mother Dairy Foods Processing Limited, owners and marketer of Mother Dairy, Dhara and Safal brands of dairy, vegetable oils and horticultural products, Delhi, India. Current turnover is over Rs 1500 Crore. The company is wholly owned by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) - an organisation of National importance. (1987 - 2004)


Strategy Planning & Business Development Group (Agri-business) (2003-2004)
With a vision to expand its Agri. business interests in India and abroad, NDDB inducted him in this group, as a supply chain expert, to formulate commercially viable food sector projects in various States in India and abroad. His key role was to provide strategic support wherever his strengths can be utilized to promote Safal Market concept.


Achievements

  • As a wholesale markets expert with Market Development department, he played a key role in successful operationalisation of Centralized Dutch fruit and vegetable auction at NDDB’s prestigious Safal Market in Bangalore. In addition to auction, three Cash & Carry Stores for wholesaling fruit and vegetables had also been successfully launched in Bangalore city. In just two months of launch, Safal Market wholesaled around 100 MT fresh produce daily.  
  • Within a month of induction, he was able to identify for NDDB, a local procurement and imports based food marketing project in Colombo, Sri Lanka. After extensive travel and studies in Sri Lanka, a pre-feasibility study has already been submitted and got approved. Detailed market survey to formulate a commercially viable project plan for the identified project is in progress.
  • Successfully negotiated a long term lease of 24 Acre built up wholesale Food Market in Ernakulam (Cochin) with Kerala Govt.

Processed Food Supply Chain Management Group - (2002 – 2003)


As a Head of the Group, he was inducted to revamp the supply chain management processes for Company’s processed food products.


Achievements

  • In a short span of just 4 months, he leveraged technology to revamp communication and information systems for the group.
    • A low cost transaction software & electronic data interchange system integrated with main server at Head Qtr, was placed at all C & F Agent locations. This action ironed out the major deficiencies in Inventory, Invoice & MIS processes.
    • As a step forward, introduction of an enterprise level web application to replace above with a more agile online system was implemented.
    • All Operational staff, suppliers, C & F Agents, transporters and other business associates were made to communicate through private and public networks only. A minor point but this action cut down the communication cost by more than 25%.
  • In view of logistical, cost and contractual disadvantages, he rationalized Company’s C & F operations across the country by closing and scaling down 8 C & F operations in flat 4 months without affecting the sales. (Cost cutting by 30%).
  • A new supply cum distribution model using Integrated Logistics Service Providers was introduced for frozen products for the first time in the Country at few select locations. This move shall bring down the overall distribution cost by at least 15 %. 
  • Brought down the cost of operations in surviving C & F and transport contracts by 10 % by cutting down the storage space requirement and review of secondary transport arrangements.
  • Drafted new C & F & transport contracts to plug numerous money draining holes.
  • A low cost centralized computerized and online Indenting model was developed and deployed across the country to streamline various Supply Chain Management processes.

Strategy Planning & Business Development Group- (1997 -2002)


As Head of the Agri-Business Strategy Planning & Business Development Group, he co-coordinated the long-range strategy planning and business development activities for company's agribusiness interests.  He collaborated on a prestigious feasibility study for the Government of India on the alternate fruit and vegetables marketing structures, as an Agri-business Management expert. This study has culminated in establishment of a megaton fruit and vegetable auction market project by NDDB at Bangalore. As a team leader, he formulated horticulture development plans, including technology integrated backward and forward linkages, for the states of Kerala, Uttaranchal and Jharkhand.
His other interests in the group included spear heading company's drive to induct and integrate new technological advancements like Wireless communication networks, Remote Sensing, Smart cards, Internet based applications etc. into existing fruit & vegetable procurement and marketing business processes.
He also led two groups involved in business process review and performance management systems for horticultural Units of the Company.


Achievements

  • Project plan for Fruit & Vegetable Auction Market Project at Bangalore, with a project outlay of Rs 150 Crore, gets quick approval by NDDB. The plan included a detailed road map for the fruit & vegetable supply management activities within and outside Karnataka for the proposed market.
  • Quick acceptance of the Integrated Horticulture Marketing feasibility study by the Government of India.
  • Prepared a blueprint for horticultural Cash-n-Carry stores for company’s Delhi Fruit & Vegetable Unit.
  • Spearheaded company’s marketing drive to create a niche for it's complete range of fresh products in hitherto untapped wholesale and export markets. Exported huge potato quantity to Srilanka.
  • Introduced wholesale branding concept for fruit & vegetables for the first time in the country in organized sector. Both exports and wholesale marketing are now new revenue streams for the company.
  • Developed CFB wholesale and retail packaging for ten fruits and vegetables for the company in just two months. Introduced indigenous Kiwi fruit in branded packs for the first time in Indian markets.
  • An alternate logistic plan developed by him is yielding rich dividend currently.
  • Represented company at numerous Agri-business events, seminars, conferences and presentations organized by various chambers of commerce (like FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM), Central and State Govts.

Procurement Group - (1987-1997)


In various capacities up to Group Head, he was responsible for planned sourcing of fruit and vegetables from growers' / farmers' organisations, wholesale markets, corporate houses all over the country at competitive prices as per company's Quantity requirements, Quality Specifications, Delivery Schedules and Packaging Standards in a thoroughly on-line IT enabled environment. Responsibilities included development of farmers’ organisation and their infrastructure, logistics, management of extension services and a technical input programme to support planned procurement from farm institutions.

Achievements

  • Managed a dedicated team of 60 plus professionals, to develop an extensive and effective Fresh Produce contract farming Sourcing network, practically all over India, for round the year quality supplies of more than 150 fresh commodities at competitive prices. The job involved round the clock coordination and monitoring at various levels.
  • Brought 500 plus Hectares of vegetable area in 6 Indian States under production enhancement contract farming programme using state of the art production technology based on the principles of precision and uniformity and use of innovative but simple farm machines. Wide bed production technology propagated by his group for various vegetables, particularly potatoes, have become a de-facto standard for progressive farmers through out Northern India.
  • Strategic reorganization of procurement policies and procedures from purchases at supply source at local prices and terms, to, supplies at company premises in Delhi without declaring prices in production areas. This change completely overhauled company's procurement structure and resulted in major savings.
  • Reorganization of purchases in wholesale markets from outright purchases at company's risk, to supplies at Project premises in Delhi on competitive biddings basis. This change resulted in major savings.
  • Introduction of 15 difficult fruit and vegetable items hitherto not retailed by the Project.
  • Arrangement of 11000 MTs of produce, apart from regular supplies for company's retail outlets in six months, for wholesale trials at major Indian wholesale market.
  • Developed various contract formats for growers, transporters and wholesalers that are still being used

Milkfed , Punjab - A Federation of 10 Distt. Milk Cooperatives and owners of "Verka", a well-known milk products brand in India.  (1981 -1987)


Technical Input Group


As a Head Technical Input Group, he was responsible for development of a dedicated group of contract farmers for an innovative seed production programme and management of milk production enhancement services though animal nutrition programme to support planned procurement of milk.
Achievements

  • Planning and execution of a fodder seed production programme on more than 500 Hectares annually under contract growing.
  • Management of a 50 Hectares captive demonstration cum seed production farm as an independent profit centre.

Government of Punjab, India  (1979 -1980)


Ground Water Cell


As an Inspector with the State Government, he was responsible for agriculture extension and rural development work under Intensive Rural Development Programme of the Govt. of India.
Achievements
As a team leader spearheaded setting up of first mobile soil and water testing laboratory in the state of Punjab

SKILLS

  • Able to negotiate at his terms while ensuring an impression of win-win situation for others.
  • Highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications. Can skillfully use oracle applications on UNIX platform. Working knowledge of Linux & elementary HTML.
  • Proven skill and expertise in writing techno-feasibility project reports / project proposals / annual reports.
  • Able to draw from concepts and designs to build packages ready for final production.
  • Able to conceptualize, design and create web sites and other forms of electronic media.
  • Highly proficient in use of Internet and Intranets for communication, information, entertainment, commerce and computing.
  • Trained by Ministry of Industries, Govt. of India, in Export Management and Packaging.
  • Groomed by world-renowned Agri experts, WAT Technologies, USA, in vegetable production enhancement techniques and practices.
  • Well versed in total quality management and man management aspects with particular reference to Agri-business.

STRENGTHS

  • Conceptual Thinker - able to see the "big picture" of a project and break it down into workable tasks for team interaction and contribution.
  • Creative Strategist - not afraid to "think out of the box" in the creation of sourcing and marketing strategies.
  • Hard Worker - believes in the "extra mile" mentality. Does whatever it takes to get the job done.
  • Results Driven - able to implement a thorough, well-thought plan of action. Able to evaluate progress and make necessary modifications to ensure desired results.
  • Effective Communicator - able to effectively interact with all types of individuals in the exchange of ideas. Possesses good listening and communication skills.
  • Team Player - thrives in a team environment and able to keep team members directed and focused on goals. 

EDUCATION

Pb. Agril. University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. (1977-1979)            
M.Sc in Nutrition, 1979 - Classified as First Class, GPA 3.72 / 4.00.

Pb. Agril. University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. (1973-1977)
B.Sc (Hons) in Agriculture, 1977  - Classified as First Class, GPA 3.32 / 4.00.

SOME RECENT GUEST LECTURES

Institute

Theme

India Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur

Opportunity Scanning Process and Practices in Food & Agri Sectors

Asian School of Business Management (ASBM), Bubneshwar

Business Development and Corporate Needs of Organized Retail in the Times of Recession

Indian Institute of Materials Management (IIMM), Delhi

Building & Turnaround Process for Perishable Food Supply Chains in Organized Retail Sector

Noida Management Association (NMA), Noida

Supply Chain Management – Long Range Strategic Planning & Implementation Process for Organized Food Retailers

DHAN Foundation, TN, India

Mainstreaming Poor Small Farmers into the booming Indian Economy by Empowering them with Knowledge based Marketing & Decision Enabling systems

SCM Alumni Society (SAS), Dhaka, Bangladesh,

Linking Small Framers to Markets - The whys and Hows for Small & Marginal Fresh Produce Growers in Developing Countries

PERSONAL

Date of Birth: 29th October, 1956

Marital Status: Married

Children: Two, both engineers

Languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi and working knowledge of Marathi, Gujarati and Urdu.

Foreign Travel: Various European and SAARC countries

Interests: Food, Information & Communication technology, Travel, Books and Music

AVAILABILITY - Available for employment and consulting

 

(c) Anil Chopra
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