Raw Pressery Supply Chain Analyst Interview: Rounds, Questions and Preparation

What the job involves

A Supply Chain Analyst in e-commerce, retail, or D2C tracks inventory, demand, and logistics to ensure products reach customers on time and at the lowest cost. Day to day, you will work with data in Excel or SQL, coordinate with warehouse and delivery teams, and solve problems like stockouts, overstock, and delayed shipments. At fast-growing brands like Raw Pressery, you may also help set up processes for new products or regions.

Role and Technical Knowledge

1. 1

   What is the difference between demand forecasting and demand planning?

   Forecasting is predicting future demand using data; planning is deciding how to meet that demand with inventory, production, and logistics. Mention that in D2C, forecasts drive purchase orders and stock allocation.

2. 2

   How would you calculate safety stock for a perishable product like cold-pressed juice?

   Safety stock depends on demand variability, lead time, and desired service level. For perishables, you also factor shelf life and spoilage risk, so you keep safety stock lower and rely on faster replenishment.

3. 3

   What are fill rate and OTIF, and why do they matter in e-commerce?

   Fill rate is the percentage of customer orders shipped complete; OTIF is on-time-in-full. High numbers mean happy customers and fewer returns. In e-commerce, these directly affect ratings and repeat purchases.

4. 4

   Explain how you would use Excel to analyse a stockout problem.

   You would pull order and inventory data, use pivot tables to find which SKUs and warehouses had stockouts, calculate lost sales, and create a chart to show the trend. Then suggest fixes like reorder point adjustments.

Practical Scenarios

1. 5

   A best-selling juice is out of stock in Mumbai but overstocked in Delhi. How do you fix this?

   First check if inter-warehouse transfer is feasible and cost-effective given shelf life. Then adjust future replenishment plans and consider a temporary promotion in Delhi to clear stock. Communicate with sales and warehouse teams.

2. 6

   Your delivery partner is consistently late in one pincode, causing customer complaints. What do you do?

   Analyse delivery data to confirm the delay pattern, then talk to the partner to find the root cause (route, capacity, or address issues). If unresolved, test an alternative partner for that pincode and track improvement.

3. 7

   You need to reduce logistics costs by 10 percent without hurting delivery speed. What levers would you pull?

   Consider route optimisation, better packaging to reduce damage, negotiating rates with 3PL partners, or consolidating shipments. Also look at warehouse placement to shorten distances. Always check impact on customer experience.

4. 8

   How would you plan inventory for a new product launch with no historical data?

   Use similar product data, market research, and a small pilot launch in select cities. Start with conservative stock, monitor weekly sales, and adjust orders quickly. Keep safety stock flexible because demand is uncertain.

Behavioural and Situational

1. 9

   Tell me about a time you used data to solve a problem.

   Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Pick a college project or internship where you analysed data, found an insight, and made a recommendation that led to a measurable outcome.

2. 10

   Describe a situation where you had to work with a team under a tight deadline.

   Show how you prioritised tasks, communicated clearly, and supported teammates. Mention the outcome and what you learned about teamwork and time management.

3. 11

   Why do you want to work in supply chain at a fast-growing D2C brand?

   Connect your interest in problem-solving and data to the dynamic nature of D2C. Mention that you enjoy seeing the direct impact of your work on customer satisfaction and business growth.

4. 12

   How do you handle a situation where you disagree with your manager's decision?

   Say you would first understand their reasoning, then present your data-backed view respectfully. If the decision stands, you would support it fully and learn from the outcome.

HR and Company Fit

1. 13

   What do you know about our company and why does it interest you?

   Research the brand's products, market position, and recent news. For a company like Raw Pressery, mention its focus on fresh, healthy beverages and the supply chain challenges of perishables.

2. 14

   Where do you see yourself in three years?

   Show ambition to grow in supply chain, perhaps moving from analyst to senior analyst or team lead. Emphasise learning and taking on more responsibility.

3. 15

   Are you comfortable working with warehouse and delivery teams on the ground?

   Answer yes and give an example of being hands-on, like a college event or internship where you coordinated with operations. Show willingness to learn from the floor.

4. 16

   What are your salary expectations?

   Research typical fresher salaries for supply chain analysts in India. Give a range based on your skills and the company size, and say you are open to discussion.