Factory Manager

About Karta Collective

Karta Collective is a Section 8 FMCG company building clean-label snack brands starting with makhana. We manufacture out of a purpose-built facility in Varanasi, sourcing raw material directly from farming communities, and operate on a zero-distribution-cost, quick-commerce-first go-to-market model.

website - www.kartacollective.org

Role Overview

We're hiring a Factory Manager to run day-to-day operations at our Chandpur processing unit the person accountable for turning raw makhana into finished, packed product, safely, consistently, and on schedule. You'll own the shop floor: production planning, machine operations, quality, hygiene compliance, and the people running all of it.

This role suits someone who wants to build a factory's operating rhythm from near-scratch, not manage an already-mature production line.

Scope of Work

Production & Machine Operations

• Run daily production planning and scheduling - roasting, flavour coating, packaging - against demand and raw material availability
• Operate and oversee the processing line: roaster, flavouring pan, slurry tank, weigher, sealer, and packaging equipment
• Manage batch consistency, yield tracking, and wastage/breakage monitoring at each stage
• Coordinate equipment maintenance schedules, spare parts stock, and vendor callouts for breakdowns

Quality & Food Safety

• Own FSSAI compliance on the floor — hygiene practices, batch traceability, CIP/cleaning protocols, allergen-safe SKU sequencing
• Run raw material QC at intake (moisture checks, visual grading) and finished goods QC before dispatch
• Maintain quality and safety records audit-ready at all times

People & Floor Management

• Recruit, train, and manage factory floor workers and line supervisors
• Build and enforce SOPs for machine operation, cleaning, and safety
• Manage shift planning and labour allocation as production volume scales

Inventory & Materials

• Manage raw material (makhana), packaging material, and seasoning/oil stock — ordering, storage discipline, and stock rotation (FIFO)
• Coordinate with SAKHI and other sourcing partners on inbound raw material timing and quality
• Own dispatch readiness — finished goods staging and outbound coordination

Facility & Vendor Coordination

• Be the on-ground point of contact for contractors and vendors completing factory fit-out (electrical, plumbing, flooring) during the build-out phase
• Manage utilities — power, water, LPG, backup power — and flag infrastructure gaps before they become production blockers
• Coordinate with equipment vendors on installation, commissioning, and after-sales support

Reporting

• Report directly to the founders on production output, quality metrics, cost, and operational issues
• Flag risks early - equipment, compliance, labour, or supply - rather than let them surface as failures