Production Manager

Job Role:

Production Manager (Clay & Terracotta Manufacturing)

Location: Factory Unit

Reporting To: Founder

The Production Manager will be responsible for end-to-end factory operations, ensuring smooth production of clay products with consistent quality, controlled costs, and timely dispatch. This role requires strong on-ground execution, people management, and process discipline.

• Key Responsibilities

1. Production Planning & Execution:

• Plan daily, weekly, and monthly production targets based on orders (B2B + D2C).
• Ensure uninterrupted production of clay products (kulhads, bottles, jugs, handis, etc.).
• Optimize kiln cycles, drying schedules, and batch planning.

2. Workforce Management

• Manage and supervise factory workers, artisans, and helpers.
• Allocate manpower across shaping, drying, firing, finishing, and packing.
• Maintain discipline, attendance, and productivity on the shop floor.

3. Quality Control

• Ensure product consistency in shape, thickness, strength, and finish.
• Reduce breakage, cracks, leakage, and firing defects.
• Implement basic quality checkpoints at each stage of production.

4. Raw Material & Inventory

• ControlMonitor clay sourcing, preparation, and usage to minimize wastage.
• Track inventory of raw materials, semi-finished goods, and finished stock.
• Coordinate with procurement for timely availability of materials.

5. Process Improvement

• Improve production efficiency and reduce rejection percentage.
• Suggest better workflows, mould usage, stacking methods, and handling practices.
• Support transition towards semi-automatic processes where applicable.
• 6. Cost & Yield ManagementControl production costs including labor, fuel, electricity, and wastage.
• Improve output per worker and per kiln cycle.
• Maintain daily production and wastage records.

7. Safety & Compliance

Ensure safe working conditions around kilns, tools, and machinery.

• Maintain basic compliance with factory norms and cleanliness standards.

8. Coordination & Reporting

• Coordinate with dispatch, sales, and packaging teams for order fulfillment.
• Share daily/weekly production reports with management.
• Highlight bottlenecks, delays, or risks proactively.
• Required Skills & ExperienceExperience in clay, pottery, terracotta, ceramics, or similar manufacturing.
• Strong people-handling and on-ground execution skills.
• Basic understanding of kilns, drying cycles, and clay behavior.
• Ability to work in a hands-on factory environment.
• Record-keeping and basic reporting discipline.
• Preferred ProfilePrior experience as Production Supervisor / Factory In-charge.
• Comfortable working in rural or semi-rural factory setups.
• Solution-oriented mindset with focus on output and quality.