Factory Manager

About Karta Collective

Karta Collective is a Section 8 FMCG enterprise focusing on clean-label snack products, beginning with makhana. Our manufacturing occurs at a dedicated facility in Varanasi, sourcing raw materials directly from agricultural communities. Our go-to-market strategy emphasizes zero distribution costs and quick-commerce delivery models.

Role Summary

We seek a Factory Manager to oversee daily functions at our Chandpur processing unit. This leader will ensure raw makhana is transformed into finished, packaged goods efficiently, reliably, and safely. Responsibilities include managing the production floor operations, from planning to quality and hygiene compliance, as well as supervising personnel. This position is ideal for someone interested in establishing operational processes from a near-startup phase, as opposed to managing a mature factory line.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily production scheduling and planning across processes such as roasting, flavor coating, and packaging considering demand and raw material availability.
• Supervise operation of processing equipment including roasters, flavor pans, slurry tanks, weighers, sealers, and packaging machines.
• Monitor batch consistency, production yields, and waste or breakage throughout all stages.
• Coordinate maintenance, manage spare parts inventory, and arrange vendor support for equipment repairs.
• Ensure strong adherence to Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regulations, including hygiene protocols, batch traceability, cleaning-in-place (CIP) procedures, and allergen-safe product sequencing.
• Implement quality control for raw materials at intake (including moisture and visual assessments) and for finished goods before shipment.
• Maintain audit-ready records of quality and safety compliance.
• Recruit, train, and oversee factory workers and supervisors on the shop floor.
• Develop, implement, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) pertaining to machine operation, hygiene, and safety standards.
• Plan shifts and allocate labor efficiently to accommodate scaling production demands.
• Oversee inventory management for raw materials, packaging supplies, and seasoning/oil stocks, ensuring proper ordering, storage, and FIFO stock rotation.
• Coordinate inbound raw materials through partnerships with sourcing entities like SAKHI, managing timeliness and quality.
• Manage dispatch preparation, including staging finished goods and outbound logistics coordination.
• Act as the onsite liaison for contractors and vendors involved in factory construction (electrical, plumbing, flooring) during build-out.
• Supervise utility systems including power, water, LPG, and backup generators, proactively identifying and resolving infrastructural bottlenecks.
• Work closely with equipment suppliers for installation, commissioning, and ongoing after-sales service.
• Report regularly to founders on production statistics, quality metrics, operational challenges, and cost control.
• Identify and communicate risks related to equipment functionality, compliance issues, labor force, or supply disruptions before they escalate into operational problems.