Perfetti Van Melle India Supply Chain Executive Interview: Rounds, Questions and Preparation

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 distributors. Day to day work includes demand planning, procurement follow-ups, inventory tracking, warehouse coordination and ensuring timely dispatch to retailers. In fast-moving confectionery or food companies, the role also involves monitoring shelf life, batch traceability and handling seasonal demand spikes.

Role and Technical Knowledge

1. 1

   What is the difference between demand planning and supply planning in an FMCG company?

   Explain that demand planning forecasts what customers will buy using sales history and promotions, while supply planning decides how much to produce or procure to meet that forecast. Use a confectionery example like festive season demand.

2. 2

   How would you decide the reorder point for a fast-moving SKU like a popular candy brand?

   Cover average daily sales, lead time from supplier or plant, and safety stock for demand variability. Mention that reorder point equals lead time demand plus safety stock, and that seasonality must be factored in.

3. 3

   What is FIFO and FEFO, and why is FEFO more important in food and confectionery supply chains?

   Define FIFO as first in first out and FEFO as first expired first out. Explain that FEFO prevents expired stock from reaching shelves, which is critical for food safety, brand trust and reducing write-offs.

4. 4

   What are the main KPIs you would track as a Supply Chain Executive in a food company?

   List OTIF (on time in full), fill rate, inventory days, forecast accuracy, and expiry or damage percentage. Show that you understand each KPI links to customer service or cost.

Practical Scenarios

1. 5

   A distributor reports a stockout of a top-selling candy during Diwali season. How do you handle it?

   Prioritise the SKU, check available inventory at nearby depots, arrange emergency dispatch or inter depot transfer, and communicate a realistic timeline. Then analyse why the forecast missed the spike and adjust safety stock for next season.

2. 6

   You notice that 5 percent of a particular batch of chewing gum is nearing expiry in the warehouse. What steps do you take?

   First quarantine the batch and check remaining shelf life. Then push it to faster-moving channels or discount retail, or return to plant if allowed. Finally, review procurement and dispatch planning to avoid repeat expiry.

3. 7

   A supplier of sugar or liquid glucose delays a delivery by three days. How do you keep production running?

   Check current stock cover, contact alternate approved vendors, and see if a partial dispatch is possible. If not, adjust production schedule to run other SKUs first and inform planning and sales teams about potential delays.

4. 8

   How would you reduce transportation cost for a fast-moving confectionery brand without hurting delivery speed?

   Suggest route optimisation, full truckload consolidation, using a mix of FTL and PTL based on order size, and negotiating freight rates. Also mention that you would track cost per kilogram per kilometre and service levels together.

Behavioural and Situational Questions

1. 9

   Tell me about a time you had to coordinate with multiple people to complete a task under a tight deadline.

   Use the STAR method. Describe a college project, internship or event where you planned tasks, followed up with team members and delivered on time. Highlight clear communication and ownership.

2. 10

   Describe a situation where you found a mistake in data or a process. What did you do?

   Show attention to detail. Explain how you identified the error, corrected it, informed the concerned person and suggested a preventive check. Avoid blaming others.

3. 11

   This role may require you to work in a plant or warehouse location away from your hometown. How do you feel about that?

   Be honest and positive. Mention that you are open to learning on the ground, that field exposure builds supply chain skills faster, and that you can adapt to new locations.

4. 12

   Give an example of how you prioritised when you had too many tasks at once.

   Explain a simple framework like urgency versus importance. Give a real example from studies or an internship where you listed tasks, set deadlines and communicated with stakeholders about what would be done first.

HR and Company Fit

1. 13

   Why do you want to work in supply chain in the agri, food and FMCG sector?

   Connect your interest to the fast-moving nature of the sector, the importance of freshness and availability, and the chance to solve real problems like wastage and stockouts. Mention that you enjoy planning and coordination.

2. 14

   What do you know about our company and its products?

   Research the company's brands, categories and distribution reach. For a confectionery company, mention popular products, seasonal demand patterns and that you understand the role supply chain plays in keeping shelves stocked.

3. 15

   Where do you see yourself in three years in this role?

   Show a realistic growth path, such as moving from executive to assistant manager in planning or logistics. Emphasise that you want to deepen your knowledge of end-to-end supply chain before taking on larger responsibilities.

4. 16

   What are your salary expectations for this role?

   Research typical fresher salaries for supply chain roles in FMCG. Give a reasonable range based on your city and company size, and say you are open to discussion because learning and growth matter most at this stage.