Society Tea 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 like tea leaves, sugar and packaging from suppliers to warehouses and then to distributors or retailers. Daily tasks include tracking inventory, coordinating with transporters, processing purchase orders, and ensuring stock availability without excess wastage. In a growing company like Society Tea, you might also help with demand forecasting for seasonal blends and monitoring cold chain or dry storage conditions.

Role and Technical Knowledge

1. 1

   What is the difference between FIFO and FEFO, and why is FEFO more important in a tea or food company?

   Explain that FIFO is first in first out by arrival date, while FEFO is first expired first out by expiry date. For food, FEFO prevents expired stock from reaching retail, reducing wastage and compliance risk.

2. 2

   How would you calculate the reorder point for a fast-moving SKU like 250g tea packets?

   Cover average daily sales, lead time in days, and safety stock. Formula: reorder point = (average daily sales x lead time) + safety stock. Mention that lead time may vary for tea sourced from Assam or Nilgiris.

3. 3

   What are the key factors you consider when selecting a transporter for moving tea from a factory to a regional warehouse?

   Discuss cost per kg per km, transit time, reliability, vehicle cleanliness and moisture control, insurance, and ability to handle fragile or aroma-sensitive products.

4. 4

   What is FSSAI and what are two supply chain related rules a food company must follow?

   FSSAI is the food safety regulator. Mention rules like proper labelling with batch number and expiry, and maintaining cold or dry storage conditions as per product type. Also note traceability of raw materials.

Practical Scenarios and Problem Solving

1. 5

   During Diwali season, demand for your premium tea gift packs suddenly doubles. How would you ensure supply without overstocking after the season?

   Talk about short-term demand forecasting using past festival data, pre-booking with packaging suppliers, using a temporary warehouse, and setting a cut-off date for production. After the season, plan discounting or redistribution to avoid dead stock.

2. 6

   You find that 10 percent of a tea consignment has moisture damage at the warehouse. What steps do you take immediately and in the long term?

   Immediate: segregate damaged stock, inform quality team, raise a claim with transporter or supplier, and check if any good stock can be repacked. Long term: improve warehouse ventilation, use moisture absorbers, and add a pre-unloading inspection step.

3. 7

   A key supplier of sugar fails to deliver on time, and your production line will stop in two days. What do you do?

   First check safety stock and alternative approved suppliers. Contact the supplier for an emergency partial delivery. If not possible, arrange a spot purchase at a higher cost after getting approval. Then review supplier contracts and add a backup vendor.

4. 8

   How would you reduce transportation cost for distributing FMCG products to 50 small towns without hurting delivery speed?

   Suggest route optimisation, clubbing orders for nearby towns, using a hub-and-spoke model with a local distributor, and negotiating return loads. Also consider switching from small trucks to larger vehicles for full-truckload routes.

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. For example, a college event where you managed vendors, volunteers, and budget. Highlight clear communication, prioritisation, and follow-up.

2. 10

   Describe a situation where you noticed a mistake or inefficiency in a process. What did you do?

   Show that you are observant and proactive. For instance, in a college canteen you noticed food wastage and suggested a smaller serving size. Explain the action and the result.

3. 11

   This role may require you to visit warehouses or factories in summer heat or monsoon. How do you feel about that?

   Be honest and positive. Mention that you are willing to travel and learn on the ground, and give an example of handling physical work or outdoor activities during college.

4. 12

   Why do you want to work in supply chain for a food and FMCG company rather than a tech or finance company?

   Connect personal interest in food, agriculture, or fast-moving consumer goods. Talk about the satisfaction of solving real-world problems like reducing wastage and ensuring products reach customers fresh.

HR and Company Fit

1. 13

   What do you know about our company and how does your role support its growth?

   Research the company's products, regions, and recent expansions. For a tea company, mention sourcing regions, packaging types, and distribution reach. Explain how a supply chain executive helps reduce costs and improve availability.

2. 14

   Where do you see yourself in three years in the supply chain field?

   Show ambition but stay realistic. Mention learning roles like procurement, logistics planning, or warehouse management, and possibly taking certifications like CSCP or a PG diploma in supply chain.

3. 15

   How do you handle pressure when multiple orders and deadlines clash?

   Give a method: list tasks, rank by impact and urgency, communicate with stakeholders, and use tools like a simple Excel tracker. Give a college example like managing exams and a project submission.

4. 16

   What are your salary expectations for this fresher role?

   Research typical fresher salaries for supply chain in Indian FMCG (often 2.5 to 4 lakhs per annum). Say you are open to the company's standard range for freshers and focus on learning and growth.