Operations Manager – Regenerative Cotton Project

Varaha is seeking an Operations Manager for their Regenerative Cotton Project in Wardha, Maharashtra. The role involves overseeing field operations, team coordination, partner management, and logistics across 300-500 hectares. Responsibilities include farmer outreach, managing field teams, tracking progress, and ensuring compliance. Candidates should have a degree in a related field, 5+ years of experience in agriculture operations, and fluency in Marathi, Hindi, and English. Frequent travel within Maharashtra is required.
We are seeking a proactive and organized Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day field execution, team coordination, partner management, and logistics for a regenerative cotton farming project. The role ensures timely and efficient implementation of field activities across across 300-500 hectares.

Roles and Responsibilities
• Plan, coordinate, and oversee field operations related to regenerative cotton farming, including farmer outreach, training schedules, data collection, and input distribution.
• Manage and support field teams, including agronomists, data managers, and field staff, to ensure smooth execution.
• Build strong partnerships with FPOs, NGOs, and local stakeholders to drive program adoption.
• Track and report progress against key operational metrics, budgets, and timelines.
• Coordinate logistics for training sessions, field visits, surveys, and other field-based activities.
• Troubleshoot operational issues in real-time and ensure adaptive management on the ground.
• Collaborate closely with agronomy, data, and carbon teams to ensure field alignment with project goals.
• Ensure compliance with all internal processes, documentation, and reporting requirements.

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Agriculture, Rural Management, Development Studies, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience managing field operations in agriculture, rural development, or sustainability projects.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale, multi-location field teams and partners.
• Strong problem-solving, people management, and coordination skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office/Google Suite
• Comfortable with frequent travel within Maharashtra and working in rural field environments.
• Fluent in Marathi, Hindi, and English.

Preferred
• Experience in cotton or regenerative agriculture projects.
• Exposure to carbon/agri-carbon or sustainability-linked initiatives.
• Understanding of FPO engagement, farmer incentive models, and operational compliance frameworks.

Additional Information

What we offer

Join a small, ambitious, and international team and enjoy the following benefits:
• Competitive salary and benefits package (ESOP)
• Key role in shaping a fast-growing climate tech startup
• Support for learning & professional development
• A culture of undogmatic, unbureaucratic creativity and collaboration

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Varaha is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This company does not discriminate in employment and personnel practices based on race, sex, age, handicap, religion, national origin or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are performed without regard to the above listed items.