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Commercialization Officer, UR India

PATH, a US based international development organization with the mission to improve the health of people around the world by advancing health technologies, strengthening systems and encouraging healthy behaviors. PATH India has a country office in New Delhi with site offices in Hyderabad, Lucknow, Bhopal and Mumbai.

The Ultra Rice is a culturally-appropriate and highly cost-effective solution to the pervasive issue of micronutrient malnutrition caused by lack of access to a diversified diet. Ultra Rice® is a micronutrient delivery system that packs vitamins and minerals into manufactured rice grains made from rice flour, utilizing pasta-making extrusion equipment. Ultra Rice resembles milled rice in size, shape, and color. When it is blended with milled rice, typically at a ratio of 1:100, the resulting fortified rice is nearly identical to traditional rice in smell, taste, and texture.

For the past several years, the Ultra Rice Project at PATH has focused on establishing successful models of supply and demand for Ultra Rice to enable early market development, broaden product adoption, and lay the foundation for further growth of the rice fortification field. The Ultra Rice team, comprised of interdisciplinary staff from PATH’s Seattle, DC, and Delhi offices have made great strides to optimize product attributes, strengthen the clinical evidence base, establish high-quality manufacturing in both India and Brazil, and initiate successful pilot introductions.

The project now aims to significantly expand Ultra Rice introduction in India, enhancing the domestic supply base, broadening distribution into a wider array of public sector channels, reoptimizing the Ultra Rice formulation to lower costs and enhance impact, and moving forward advocacy efforts to ensure sustainable market development.

Specific responsibilities for the Commercialization Officer include:

  • Expand the distribution channels for Ultra Rice in India:
    • Lead the design and implementation of Ultra Rice pilots through the Public Distribution System (PDS), including marketing strategies to enhance uptake among PDS consumers.
    • Cultivate opportunities for expanding into additional public sector programs, the food aid market, and commercial retail channels that reach the poor.
    • Develop case studies of the various distribution pilots in order to disseminate best practices, as well as further engage entities the supply and distribution chain, enlist the support of policymakers, and cultivate new buyers. Present findings at relevant meetings and conferences.
    • Manage relationships with Ultra Rice manufacturing partners in India, identifying bottlenecks and developing solutions to their sale and distribution of fortified rice in the country.
    • Cultivate contractual relationships with key raw materials suppliers to the Ultra Rice manufacturers in India in a manner that maximizes both access (price, availability) and quality.
    • Develop a business model for establishing a Regional Technology Transfer Center in India and work with PATH’s identified partner to implement such a plan.
    • Support efforts to expand the donor base to the Ultra Rice project in India, particularly from the corporate sector.
    • Supervise external consultants, as needed.
  • Manage PATH’s regulatory application to the Food Safety and Standards Act of India for creating a defined, regulated food class for fortified rice.
  • Work closely with Ultra Rice commercialization staff in Seattle to develop and implement detailed workplans, milestones, and outcomes for the envisioned expansion work, ensuring its alignment with the project’s global commecialization strategies.
Required Skills
  • Demonstrated experience in developing markets for new products in developing country settings
  • Demonstrated experience on developing business models for reaching consumers at the base of the economic pyramid
  • Demonstrated negotiations experience within the private sector, including but not limited to negotiations around pricing, supply availability, and intellectual property.
  • Demonstrated experience in managing complex projects with multi-sector stakeholders, including, private sector entities, government, multi-lateral organizations, and nongovernmental groups in resource-poor settings.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to travel up to 25% time annually (mostly domestic within India)
Required Experience

Master's degree with+7 years of experience in managing market development projects in developing country settings.

Job Location
New Delhi, INDIA

Commercialization Officer, UR India