Business Service Manager (Open for Local Nationals Only)

CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow’s problems today. It is entrusted with fostering improved quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops through applied agricultural science, particularly in the Global South, through building strong partnerships. This combination enhances the livelihood trajectories and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers, while working towards a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries. CIMMYT is a core CGIAR Research Center, a global research partnership for a food-secure future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources. For more information, visit cimmyt.org.

We are looking for a driven, service-oriented professional to join us as Business Services Manager at CIMMYT Bangladesh. This role sits at CIMMYT Bangladesh. CIMMYT operates a network of research stations across Bangladesh, each with its own inventory, warehousing, and field operations requirements.

The position is based in Bangladesh with frequent travel to research stations and CIMMYT operational locations.

Specific duties:

General Business Services Management

• Lead and coordinate business services operations across both CIMMYT Bangladesh, keeping everything aligned with institutional policies and compliance standards.
• Ensure operational services are delivered efficiently across field stations, offices, warehouses, and research operations.
• Build processes that are structured, scalable, and consistent with CIMMYT’s internal control frameworks and regional direction.
• Work closely with the RBSM – Asia on operational planning, escalation, and decision support — keeping them well-informed with timely updates and field observations.
• Spot operational bottlenecks early and put practical solutions in place to improve efficiency, compliance, and service quality.
• Track and maintain performance indicators across inventory, warehousing, procurement, logistics, facilities, and admin services.

Inventory, Warehouse, and Field Operations

• This is a significant part of the role. CIMMYT’s research stations carry diverse and operationally critical inventory, and effective management of these assets is essential to the success of research programmes.
• Oversee inventory and warehouse management across CIMMYT locations in Bangladesh.
• Maintain strong controls over seed inventory, agrochemicals and fertilizers, fuel and consumables, and harvested produce and agricultural by-products.
• Ensure warehouses are well-organized, with clear zoning, storage standards, stock movement controls, and regular physical verification.
• Keep inventory traceable through proper documentation, batch tracking, and reconciliation processes.
• Support the rollout and ongoing use of Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365) inventory and warehouse modules, working under the direction of the RBSM Asia.
• Manage inter-station inventory movements and ensure documentation and reconciliation are in order.

Procurement, Logistics, and Operational Coordination

• Work with Procurement teams to ensure timely sourcing and movement of operational and agricultural materials.
• Keep procurement, receiving, inventory, and field usage processes well-aligned and free of gaps.
• Monitor operational readiness through the lens of crop seasonality, field station needs, warehouse capacities, and research timelines.
• Coordinate logistics for field operations, input storage and movement, and operational supplies.
• Provide regular operational data, reports, and field updates to the RBSM Asia for regional oversight and management review.

Fleet, Travel, and Facilities Management

• With operations spread across multiple research stations and offices, managing fleet, travel, and facilities (Guest houses) is a meaningful part of keeping CIMMYT running effectively in Bangladesh.
• Oversee the management of the institutional vehicle fleet across CIMMYT Bangladesh locations — covering scheduling, maintenance, insurance, road worth in compliance, and safe usage policies.
• Maintain accurate fleet records including logbooks, benefit vehicle assignation and maintenance, service histories, fuel consumption tracking, and driver assignment registers.
• Ensure fleet utilization is optimized and costs are managed within approved budgets, with regular reporting to the RBSM Asia.
• Coordinate institutional travel arrangements for staff across CIMMYT Bangladesh, including ground transportation, inter-station travel, and support for international visitors and mission travel.
• Ensure travel processes comply with CIMMYT travel policies, authorization procedures, and safety protocols — particularly for field and remote-location travel.
• Manage facilities across research stations and CIMMYT Bangladesh offices, including office space, staff accommodation, utilities, use of office guest houses, and common infrastructure.
• Coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance of buildings, equipment, and station infrastructure, ensuring a safe and functional working environment.
• Oversee lease and service agreements for facilities, working with relevant teams on renewals, compliance, and vendor performance.
• Ensure facilities meet required health, safety, and environmental standards, and that any risks are identified and addressed promptly.
• Support planning for station expansions, relocations, or facility upgrades as and when required.

Governance, Compliance, and Internal Controls

• Ensure day-to-day operations comply with CIMMYT policies, internal controls, and administrative procedures.
• Strengthen governance across warehouse management, inventory controls, documentation and traceability, segregation of duties, and operational approvals.
• Ensure Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards are met for the storage and handling of agrochemicals and other operational materials.
• Keep records, inventory data, and always supporting documentation audit-ready.
• Flag significant compliance or control risks to the RBSM Asia promptly for institutional review and follow-up.

Business Continuity and Risk Management

• Maintain operational continuity through disruptions — whether from extreme weather, agricultural emergencies, supply chain issues, or infrastructure challenges.
• Monitor and manage operational risks tied to Agro-climatic conditions, seasonal cycles, supply disruptions, and storage vulnerabilities.
• Coordinate station-level mitigation measures and escalate major risks through the RBSM Asia.
• Support preparedness and contingency planning across stations.

Team Leadership and Coordination

• Supervise and support Operations Associates and operational staff at CIMMYT stations.
• Provide operational guidance to Procurement Analysts assigned to Bangladesh operations, where applicable.
• Build capability within field-based teams through mentorship, hands-on oversight, and training.
• Foster a culture of operational discipline, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure station teams consistently follow approved operational processes, inventory controls, and system requirements.