New Delhi, April 9 -- General Mills, the American multinational food company behind well-known brands like Trix, Nature Valley, and Gold Medal Flour, established its Global Capability Center (GCC) operations in India in 1996.
In the last three decades, the GCC has evolved from a cost arbitrage center to an important extension of the global firm's technology and innovation initiatives. "General Mills India is a multifunctional hub that delivers across several domains. The work here spans three broad areas - core operations, innovation and solution development, and cross-functional collaboration with a strong focus on technology enablement," Monika Potharkar, Executive Director (Director, FSS & GIC Site Lead), told TechCircle in an interview.
Tech at GIC
To structure its technology and digital efforts, the General Mills India Center (GIC) operates on four foundational pillars, she added. The first is the Digital Core, which includes all major platforms such as SAP, Microsoft, and ServiceNow, along with cloud infrastructure, systems integration, network operations, and project and vendor management. The second pillar is data and analytics; it includes data foundation work, analytics, artificial intelligence, automation, and digital sales and marketing measurement.
The third pillar, enterprise solutions, focuses on broader commercial technologies and solution architecture. The fourth and final pillar addresses compliance and global impact, covering cybersecurity, regulatory adherence, and sustainability.
The India GCC is currently focused on advancing several key projects. "A major priority for us right now is the implementation of SAP S/4HANA, which will serve as a critical foundation for our operations going forward. As we operate on a fiscal calendar, we're now in the fourth quarter of the year, and ensuring the successful delivery of this implementation is top of mind. Additionally, we're working on other strategic initiatives across our supply chain and commercial operations. These ongoing projects are central to our transformation agenda," said Potharkar. Of the 2,000 employees at the Mumbai-based GIC, the technology team alone accounts for 850 members.
She added that General Mills actively integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) in both day-to-day workflows and broader professional practices. "As a leader, I make it a point to rely on authentic, credible sources of AI insights, especially as the conversation around AI can sometimes be clouded by hype."
"We established cross-functional groups to explore the technology's potential, define governance structures, and assess risk management protocols - recognising that while generative AI offers significant advantages, it also brings risks that must be addressed responsibly."
The company has developed a generative AI-powered chat platform for employees called Mills Chat. It allows team members to ask questions and access information within a safe, governed environment. Potharkar said that at a broader level, the company is taking a "structured and intentional" approach towards AI adoption and scaling. Rather than pursuing generic, one-size-fits-all AI solutions, the focus is on identifying areas where it can create meaningful impact.
FMCG at forefront of tech adoption
The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector has been at the forefront of technology adoption, rapidly evolving and embracing innovation across various fronts. Whether it's logistics, manufacturing, or commercial functions, the industry is exploring opportunities that emerging technologies offer.
"One of the most dynamic areas of transformation has been logistics, which is deeply interlinked with the broader supply chain challenges faced by the CPG industry. Companies across the sector are investing heavily to drive greater agility and efficiency," said Potharkar.
Another key focus area is commercial capability building. This includes optimising e-commerce operations to ensure profitability, enhancing consumer listening mechanisms, and enabling sales teams with cutting-edge digital tools, she added.
"At General Mills, we are equally committed to this transformation journey. The supply chain remains a top priority, as it is across the entire FMCG space, and we're strategically integrating technologies to strengthen our operational backbone. While it's tempting to aim for a completely "touchless" setup, the real value lies in thoughtfully integrating technologies into enterprise operations. The most forward-thinking organisations in our space aren't just adopting tools-they're embedding them into their core," she concluded.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from TechCircle.