Senior Manager - Quality Crop Protection

Do you want to be part of a fast-growing tech startup? building innovative and sustainable technology in the Agriculture sector, and working on the projects that define the larger outcome for the generation

About AgroStar: AgroStar is India’s foremost AgTech start-up with a mission of #HelpingFarmersWin. Shardul and Sitanshu started AgroStar with a vision to solve two of the biggest problems in Indian agriculture - Lack of guidance for scientific/sustainable farming & limited access to great quality farm inputs. Today, AgroStar provides full-stack solutions to millions of farmers across 11 Indian states via an omnichannel approach. Along the journey, we have built India’s largest agronomy advisory centre, a highly engaged digital farmer network with over 9.5 million users, and a retail network of 10,000+ stores. These technology-enabled channels work together to help farmers produce better and achieve higher price realisations by providing appropriate advice, timely input delivery, and output market linkages. 

In March 2022, we acquired INI Farms, and with this, we are now exporting our farmers’ produce to over 35+ countries across the globe.

With massive synergies across the value chain to unlock, we are excited about our next exponential growth phase while being more mission-focused than ever! #HelpingFarmersWin!

Backed by prominent investors and partners, we are rapidly growing our full-stack platform and access to credit.

Role Overview 

As a Senior Manager – Quality Control, you will lead the QC function to ensure end-to-end compliance with quality standards across raw materials, packaging, in-process, and finished products. You will drive quality governance, strengthen QMS practices, supervise 3P Manufacturing activities, lead internal and external audits, and ensure timely resolution of deviations and customer complaints through robust CAPA. This role requires strategic oversight of multiple manufacturing sites, continuous improvement of QC systems, and leadership of a high-performing QC team.

The Role:

• Lead the QC function across assigned manufacturing sites, ensuring end-to-end compliance with quality standards for RM, PM, in-process and finished products.
• Drive 100% adherence to quality norms for existing and new products and ensure readiness for scale-up and commercialization.
• Oversee implementation and continuous improvement of QMS documentation including SOPs, test methods, deviations, change controls and CAPA.
• Plan and manage QC resources, workflows and priorities to support production, dispatch, and market requirements.
• Monitor formulation processes at the site and ensure compliance with validation and controlled changeover protocols.
• Review and approve Certificates of Analysis for all batches and ensure complete documentation and traceability.
• Lead internal and external audits, ensure timely closure of observations, and maintain regulatory and customer audit readiness.
• Drive root-cause investigations for customer complaints and ensure sustainable CAPA implementation.
• Oversee contamination and cross-contamination risk assessments and ensure preventive measures are implemented.
• Review and approve lab trials, AHS studies, and analytical results for new or modified formulations.
• Collaborate closely with Production, R&D, Procurement and Regulatory teams to support quality decisions and product lifecycle changes.
• Support vendor qualification and evaluation for RM and PM from a quality standpoint.
• Ensure upkeep, calibration, and troubleshooting support for instruments such as HPLC, GC, UV-Spectrophotometer, KF Titrator, etc.
• Monitor key quality metrics, generate periodic reports, and present insights to leadership for decision-making.
• Coach and develop the QC team, building technical capability, accountability, and a culture of continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• MSc. Chemistry is preferred
• Good written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders and represent QC in leadership forums.
• 8–12 years of experience in the Agro-Chemical industry, with significant exposure to multi-site QC operations.
• Strong understanding of RM, PM, semi-finished & finished product analysis and formulation types (SC, EC, SL, EW, WDG, SG, WP, etc.).
• Hands-on familiarity with instruments like HPLC, GC, UV-Spectrophotometer, KF Titrator, etc., with capability to guide and troubleshoot.
• Deep knowledge of Quality Management Systems (QMS), audit management, and regulatory compliance.
• Proven leadership experience with the ability to build, influence, and drive high-performance teams.

Reporting to: Vice President - Crop Care

Most importantly, we are looking for passionate intrapreneurs who want to work at the grassroots level, drive impact in India’s biggest sector, & Help Farmers Win!

A bit more about us:

• The AgroStar Solution - an overview.
• AgroStar Last-Mile Delivery- from the lens of our partner, Brijesh Thakkar
• An orange farmer’s story- Shri. Anil Deshmukh - Amravati, Maharashtra
• Sowing Seeds of Sustainability- AgroStar Sustainability Report (ESG)
• CNBC Startup Street- Interview with Shardul Sheth
• Series D Announcement - USD 70 Mn
• INI acquisition - establishing output  market linkage vertical