Job Description: General Manager – Production & Operations Company: The Out Factory Location: Bangalore Reports To: Founder/Director Working Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday to Saturday (alternate Saturdays off) Compensation: ₹16–22 LPA fixed + 10–15% performance-linked variable (negotiable based on experience and current company scale)
About The Out Factory The Out Factory manufactures wood components and yurt/glamping structures, combining traditional woodworking with modern production systems. We are scaling our manufacturing operations and looking for a hands-on operations leader to run the factory floor end to end.
Role Summary The GM – Production & Operations will be single-handedly responsible for running the entire production and operations function, from raw material procurement to finished goods dispatch. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring someone who can be on the floor daily, manage a mixed team of carpenters, machine operators, and helpers, and drive output, quality, and cost discipline without heavy oversight.
Key Responsibilities
Production Management
- Own daily production planning, scheduling, and throughput targets across all product lines (wood components and yurt/glamping structures)
- Ensure quality control standards are met at every stage of manufacturing
- Troubleshoot production bottlenecks and machine downtime in real time
- Maintain production MIS and report daily/weekly output against targets
Raw Material Procurement
- Source and negotiate with timber/hardwood suppliers, ensuring consistent quality and cost control • Manage inventory levels to avoid production stoppages while minimizing working capital lock-in • Vet vendors for kiln-dried timber, hardware, and other raw materials
- Track material yield and wastage, and drive process improvements to reduce losses
Team Building & People Management
- Hire carpenters, machine operators, helpers, and support staff as production scales
- Build and manage shift rosters, attendance, and productivity norms
- Train and upskill the workforce on safety, quality, and machine operation standards
- Handle day-to-day HR issues on the floor (disputes, discipline, attrition management)
- Act as a strong people manager who can get the best out of a blue-collar workforce while maintaining discipline and morale
Operations & Systems
- Work with existing business systems (ERP/CRM tools such as Zoho, Odoo, or other project/production management software) to track production, inventory, and dispatch data
- Comfortable using digital tools for reporting, communication, and process tracking (tech-savviness is essential, not optional)
- Coordinate with sales/design teams to align production capacity with order commitments
- Ensure factory safety, compliance, and housekeeping standards are maintained
Logistics, Supply Chain & Exports
- Manage end-to-end logistics for delivery of finished goods across India, including transporter selection, route planning, and cost negotiation
- Handle export shipments through C&F (Clearing & Forwarding) agents, ensuring smooth customs clearance and documentation
- Own supply chain planning across procurement, production, and dispatch to ensure on-time delivery
- Maintain working knowledge of import/export regulations, documentation (invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, LC where applicable), and compliance requirements
- Build and manage relationships with logistics partners, C&F agents, freight forwarders, and customs brokers
Cost & Administration
- Manage production budgets and control costs across labor, material, and overheads
- Ensure timely procurement within budget, avoiding cost overruns
- Handle basic factory administration (vendor payments coordination, compliance documentation, etc.)
Operations Tool Usage & Adoption
- Work closely with company leaders and the IT team to ensure the existing product/system setup (ERP/CRM and related tools) is actively used by all team members and that data is kept updated — so the company builds a system that can scale
- While not responsible for building this system, share inputs and ideas where useful; the primary focus is on ensuring processes are automated and consistently put to use
- Help deploy an effective project management dashboard that gives everyone clear visibility into the status of deployments (building and implementation) at any point in time
Implementation & Client Feedback
- Recognize that a strong operations leader stays close to client/customer needs and their on-site environment — the role extends beyond manufacturing within TOF premises
- Participate with the team in the on-site implementation of structures, not just factory production
- Gather client inputs after deployment on how things have worked out, notice challenges in the field, and roll that feedback back into production to handle future problems ahead of time Quality Systems
- Help company leaders set up a lightweight quality system based on regular checks and inspections, and ensure it is driven consistently
- Work with leaders to define appropriate quality scores/KPIs, and ensure data points for these are captured and maintained over a period of time
Key Performance Metrics
- Gross Margin Delivery: Achieve target gross margins through cost-efficient procurement, production, and
waste control
- Attrition Percentage: Keep factory workforce attrition within target levels through effective people
management
- Net Promoter Score (NPS): Shared metric across departments; this role is accountable for the production driven components of NPS, workmanship quality, timely delivery, and quality of materials used
- Compliance: Maintain full compliance across statutory, safety, and quality requirements
- Production Targets: Meet production output targets to ensure on-time delivery to customers
Candidate Requirements
- 10–15 years of experience in hardwood/timber processing, wood components, or wood-based structure
manufacturing
- Prior experience in a Factory Manager / Plant Head / Production Manager role, ideally in an SME or midsize manufacturing setup (₹30–200 crore revenue range)
- Direct, hands-on experience in raw timber procurement and vendor negotiation (not just PO approval)
- Proven experience hiring, training, and managing carpenters, machine operators, and factory helpers
(team sizes of 30–150)
- Strong people management skills with the ability to run a floor team with discipline and fairness
- Comfortable with digital tools (ERP/CRM systems like Zoho or Odoo, WhatsApp-based coordination, basic
reporting software)
- Working knowledge of supply chain management and pan-India logistics/distribution
- Exposure to export/import processes, documentation, and coordination with C&F agents or freight
forwarders
- Strong vendor and partner management skills, with a track record of building reliable long-term supplier
and logistics relationships
- Experience in prefab, modular structures, log homes, or similar site-deployable wood structures is a strong
plus
- Willing to work 9 AM–6 PM, six days a week with alternate Saturdays off
- Based in or willing to relocate to Bangalore
What We Offer
- Full ownership of production and operations function
- Fixed compensation of ₹16–22 LPA (negotiable based on experience and pedigree)
- Performance-linked variable of 10–15%
- Opportunity to build and scale a growing manufacturing operation from the ground up
Pay: ₹1,600,000.00 - ₹2,200,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
