Production Operations Manager; Beverage Industry

Position: Production Operations Manager (Beverage Industry)
About Company:
At Uravu Labs, we are dedicated to making human life more sustainable and communities more resilient. We believe in the need for breakthrough technologies in the water industry to create a sustainable future for everyone. Our patent-pending and award-winning 100% renewable water technology uses atmospheric moisture and renewable energy to produce high-quality drinking water. Scalable to large quantities, our solution serves industries and communities in a decentralized and carbon-neutral way.

We deliver impactful outcomes for water initiatives and aim to completely rethink how we experience water.

How we started:
Founded in 2019, Uravu Labs was born out of a shared vision to address water scarcity issues, particularly inspired by the founders' own experiences on the NIT Calicut campus during their studies. Driven by a passion for innovation and sustainability, Uravu Labs embarked on a mission to develop cutting-edge solutions that could extract water from the air using renewable energy sources.

The company's journey began with the realization that existing methods, such as conventional atmospheric water generators, were not entirely sustainable due to their heavy reliance on electricity and the use of refrigerants with high global warming potential. Determined to make a difference, the founders set out to create a solution that would be truly renewable and sustainable. Their dedication led them to explore alternative approaches, resulting in the development of groundbreaking technology that harnesses renewable energy to produce clean water from the air.

Role Overview
We are building Mumbai's From Air facility from the ground up, and we are looking for a hands-on Operations Manager to lead this journey. You will design, implement, and scale plant operations, improve efficiency, and ensure high-quality production. This is a unique opportunity to own operations end-to-end and build a world-class production facility in a fast-growing, impact-driven startup.

Key Responsibilities
Plant & Production Management
Build and manage plant operations from scratch
Plan and monitor daily operations to ensure smooth, timely production
Coordinate with procurement and inventory teams for raw materials and packaging

Quality & Compliance
Ensure adherence to BIS (ISI), FSSAI, and other regulatory standards
Oversee water purification, filtration, bottling, and packaging processes
Conduct audits and maintain documentation for inspections

Team Leadership
Recruit, lead, and train production supervisors, machine operators, maintenance staff, and support teams
Implement SOPs and operational best practices
Drive accountability, discipline, and a performance-driven culture

Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Set up preventive and predictive maintenance routines for machinery and utilities (RO systems, bottling lines, blow molding, chillers, compressors)
Minimize downtime and optimize plant efficiency

Inventory & Cost Control
Establish inventory management and procurement systems
Track production KPIs, reduce wastage, optimize manpower, and control costs

Coordination & Reporting
Collaborate with Sales, Quality, Finance, and Logistics for smooth operations
Generate operational reports and provide insights to leadership

Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field
8+ years of experience in plant operations; at least 5 years in bottled water / FMCG production
Strong understanding of water treatment processes, bottling lines, and plant utilities
Proven leadership, team management, and problem-solving skills
Familiarity with compliance standards (ISI, FSSAI, factory laws, EHS)

Nice to Have:
Experience in vendor and cost management
Familiarity with ERP or production planning tools
Knowledge of hygiene and compliance standards in food/beverage manufacturing