Agri, food and FMCG
Drools Pet Food Supply Chain Executive Interview: Rounds, Questions and Preparation
For Supply Chain Executive roles at companies like Drools Pet Food
What the job involves
A Supply Chain Executive in agri, food and FMCG manages the flow of raw materials, packaging and finished goods from suppliers to warehouses to distributors. Day to day work includes raising purchase orders, tracking inventory, coordinating with transporters and 3PL partners, and ensuring stock availability without excess. In a fast-growing pet food company, you also monitor shelf life, batch traceability and distributor claims.
Role and Technical Knowledge
- 1
What is the difference between FIFO and FEFO, and why does FEFO matter more in pet food or packaged food?
Explain FIFO as first in first out by receipt date and FEFO as first expired first out by expiry date. In food and pet food, FEFO prevents near-expiry stock from reaching distributors and reduces returns.
- 2
How would you calculate reorder level for a fast-moving SKU like a 3 kg dog food pack?
Cover average daily sales, lead time in days and safety stock. Show the formula: reorder level = (average daily sales x lead time) + safety stock. Mention that demand can spike in festive or monsoon months.
- 3
What documents and checks are needed when receiving raw materials like chicken meal or rice bran from a supplier?
Mention purchase order, invoice, e-way bill, weighment slip, quality check report and FSSAI or internal lab test. Also mention checking moisture, protein content and pest-free condition before GRN entry.
- 4
What is the role of a GRN in a food or FMCG warehouse?
Explain Goods Receipt Note as the record that confirms quantity and quality received against the PO. It triggers inventory update, vendor payment and traceability for batch recalls.
Practical Scenarios
- 5
A distributor in Guwahati complains that 20 percent of a recent pet food consignment is damaged. What steps do you take?
Show a structured approach: verify photos and batch numbers, check transporter and loading records, raise a claim or replacement, and review packaging or stacking method to prevent repeat damage.
- 6
Your warehouse has excess stock of a slow-moving SKU nearing expiry. How do you clear it without heavy loss?
Suggest discount schemes for distributors, bundling with fast-moving SKUs, redistribution to high-demand regions, or donation if safe. Mention tracking near-expiry reports weekly.
- 7
A key supplier of packaging material delays delivery by one week. How do you keep production running?
Talk about checking safety stock, using an approved alternate vendor, prioritising high-demand SKUs, and informing production and sales teams early. Mention updating the vendor scorecard.
- 8
How would you reduce transportation cost for a fast-growing pet food brand shipping across India?
Cover route optimisation, full truck load planning, clubbing nearby distributor orders, negotiating with 3PL partners and comparing rail versus road for long routes. Mention tracking cost per kg per km.
Behavioural and Situational Questions
- 9
Tell me about a time you had to coordinate with multiple people to finish a task on deadline.
Use a college project, event or internship example. Highlight clear communication, follow-up and how you handled one person who was slow.
- 10
You are asked to work in a warehouse for a week during stock audit. How do you respond?
Show willingness and curiosity. Mention that floor experience helps you understand real issues like stacking, batch mixing and counting errors.
- 11
Describe a situation where you found a mistake in data or records. What did you do?
Pick an example from college records, an internship or a group task. Show that you verified the error, informed the right person and suggested a simple check to avoid repeat mistakes.
- 12
How do you handle pressure when multiple orders and complaints come at the same time?
Talk about prioritising by urgency and impact, using a simple to-do list or Excel tracker, and communicating realistic timelines to stakeholders instead of hiding delays.
HR and Company Fit
- 13
Why do you want to work in supply chain for an agri, food or FMCG company?
Connect personal interest in food, farming or pets with the satisfaction of moving products from farm to bowl. Mention that this sector gives hands-on learning in a growing company.
- 14
Are you comfortable with field visits, distributor meetings and occasional night shifts during peak season?
Answer honestly but positively. If you are open, say yes and give an example of adjusting to a demanding schedule during exams or an internship.
- 15
What do you know about our company and its products?
Before the interview, read the company website and recent news. Mention product categories, target customers and any expansion or new plant. For a pet food company, talk about pet parents and premiumisation.
- 16
Where do you see yourself in three years in this role?
Show a realistic path: from executive to senior executive or assistant manager, with deeper skills in planning, procurement or warehouse management. Avoid saying you want to leave supply chain.
Ready to try it for real?
Take a timed test or talk through a mock interview for this role, then see your scores.
This is practice material for Supply Chain Executive roles, written with AI. It is not a list of questions Drools Pet Food or any other company has asked.