Prashant Kumar Patel

Navigating Challenges with Data-Driven Procurement Leadership

Head of Procurement, Institutional P&L

Fertis India pvt ltd

Drawing from extensive experience across product development, marketing, procurement, and supply chain management, Prashant Kumar Patel excels at crafting strategies that integrate all facets of business operations. As Head of Procurement, Institutional P&L at Fertis India Pvt Ltd, he oversees Procurement, Institutional sales, and large product portfolios. His expertise enables data-driven decisions that enhance product cycles, vendor management, brand development, and market share. Prashant’s leadership thrives on a holistic understanding of organisational interconnectivity. His decisions align Procurement, Product Packaging & Logistics, Sales leading to robust supply chain to meet with broader company goals, ensuring seamless functionality across departments. Adaptability underpins his approach, allowing him to navigate evolving challenges without losing sight of key objectives. A firm believer in collaboration, Prashant engages stakeholders at all levels, fostering trust, shared ownership, and a cohesive work environment. His 14-year journey across commercial, procurement, and marketing roles reflects a strategic vision, operational acumen, and passion for team development. Prashant’s commitment to excellence drives Fertis India’s growth and sustainability. With TradeFlock, he explores his leadership principles and insights in greater detail.

How do you plan to address your current role's biggest challenges?

My role centres on delivering value to farmers through fertilisers and crop nutrition solutions, but this comes with challenges like unpredictable climatic conditions and price volatility. Weather extremes, such as droughts or excess rainfall, affect crop nutrition needs, while fluctuating fertiliser prices complicate forecasting and supply chain management. To address these, I rely on data-driven tools like geo-mapping to forecast crop requirements, ensuring accurate procurement and efficient inventory planning. Global reports from Argus and FAI keep me informed on market trends, while strong supplier relationships provide real-time insights for agile decisionmaking. Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic emphasised building resilient supply chains and contingency plans, with stringent quality checks ensuring compliance with evolving government regulations.

How does collaboration shape your leadership style and contribute to your success?

Collaboration is central to my leadership approach. I engage with every function and individual, understanding their strengths, challenges, and perspectives. This inclusivity ensures all stakeholders feel valued and contribute to achieving organisational goals. I combine this with data-driven decisionmaking, using insights from sales forecasts, inventory levels, and supplier performance to form strategies. This blend of collaboration and analytics fosters trust, aligns teams, and leads to more effective decisions, helping me consistently deliver value and achieve optimal outcomes.

What tools and technologies do you use to improve procurement efficiency?

We leverage tools like SAP and Power BI for efficient inventory management, sales forecasting, and supplier performance tracking. Blockchain-based tools enhance transparency and traceability across the procurement process, ensuring accountability and compliance. Further on we want to explore artificial intelligence for predictive analytics and supplier risk assessment. eProcurement platforms like Coupa and Ariba facilitate efficient sourcing; government e-procurement websites also give us real-time information. Integrated systems automate the entire procurement lifecycle, from mapping inventory to supplier payments, streamlining operations and reducing risks. These technologies collectively drive efficiency and informed decision-making.

How are you incorporating sustainability into your procurement and supply chain processes?

Sustainability is at the heart of our procurement and supply chain strategies. We leverage tools like SAP and Power BI to optimise inventory, reduce waste, and enhance efficiency. Blockchain technology ensures transparency in sourcing raw materials and delivering goods, fostering trust and accountability. We prioritise suppliers who embrace eco-friendly practices, ethical labour standards, and sustainability certifications. Green procurement policies and lifecycle assessments guide responsible sourcing and evaluate environmental impacts. Our hybrid approach centralises high-volume procurement to reduce costs and emissions while decentralising region-specific materials to minimise logistics. Additionally, we educate farmers on eco-friendly practices, promoting collaboration and creating lasting value for a sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

How crucial are consumer insights and market research in procurement today?

Consumer insights and market research are crucial to procurement decisions in today’s fastpaced market. Understanding customer needs is the foundation of our approach, helping us address pain points and deliver value. Emerging trends like organic farming and sustainability shape consumer preferences, so we actively gather insights through surveys and feedback. Additionally, competitor analysis helps us identify opportunities for differentiation and innovation. By staying ahead of market shifts, we can refine our products, services, and supply chain strategies to remain relevant and competitive.

What motivates you to excel daily, and who or what inspires you?

My motivation comes from the desire to create a tangible impact on every role I take on. I firmly believe in the power of purposeful work— knowing that my efforts contribute to solving real-world challenges, especially in agriculture, a sector that directly affects livelihoods and food security. I’m most inspired by the farmers and growers who work tirelessly despite unpredictable challenges. Their resilience and determination remind me of why I strive to innovate and improve processes that make their work easier and more fruitful. On a personal level, my family has always been a source of strength and inspiration, encouraging me to push boundaries and aim for excellence. I also draw inspiration from technology and sustainability, as they offer endless possibilities for creating long-term value.