Fueling Brains is a growing, vibrant organization poised to change the narrative of Education. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about transforming the world of education through a holistic, whole-brain approach to the development of young children. Children impacted by our program will grow into well-rounded, well-regulated, and joyful adults who serve their community and shape the future. We bring together the best of educational science, technology, and childcare expertise to unveil the child's infinite potential.

We are seeking a Project Manager, Factory Operations to oversee the procurement, production, and assembly of products for our Nurturing Minds program. This role will work closely with our contracted manufacturing partner and their network of sub-contractors to ensure high-quality production and seamless execution.

The role requires on-the-ground coordination, supplier management, and quality assurance across multiple manufacturing sites in India. The ideal candidate will have experience in procurement, logistics, product assembly, and vendor coordination, ensuring that all components meet the specifications and quality standards set by Fueling Brains.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Production Oversight & Coordination

• Work directly with our primary contractor, who manages the production and sub-contracting of various components.
• Oversee the procurement, manufacturing, and assembly of educational products that support Nurturing Minds, ensuring accuracy and quality in execution.
• Monitor production across multiple factories to ensure adherence to specifications, timelines, and quality standards.
• Ensure the correct assembly and packaging of kits containing 4-5 activities per box, aligned with the executive functions framework.

Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Conduct on-site inspections at various subcontracted facilities to ensure quality control and product consistency.
• Verify that all components fit together correctly and meet the required safety and durability standards.
• Implement process improvements to enhance efficiency in procurement, assembly, and packaging.

Collaboration with Design & Packaging Teams

• Work closely with the Fueling Brains product designer and graphic designer to collaborate with Indian design teams on:
• • Manufactured vs. procured components
  • Packaging, design, and graphics for the products 
• Ensure that all packaging and product designs align with brand guidelines, functionality, and educational requirements. 

Supplier & Logistics Management

• Build and manage a team to support growth in logistics, supplier management, and operational coordination.
• Oversee the procurement and sourcing of product components, ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality.
• Coordinate shopping for required materials, working closely with vendors and suppliers to secure the best resources.
• Track inventory, procurement timelines, and shipment preparation, ensuring all packaged products meet distribution deadlines.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Reporting

• Serve as the on-the-ground liaison between Fueling Brains and the contractor/sub-contractors.
• Provide regular updates and reports to leadership on production status, quality checks, and any risks or delays.
• Collaborate with internal teams in India and North America to align production with program needs.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Education
• • Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Operations, or a related field.
  • Additional certifications in Project Management, Logistics, or Quality Assurance are a plus.

• Experience
• • 5+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, supply chain management, or project coordination.
  • Experience working with multiple vendors, suppliers, and contract manufacturers.
  • Experience working with multiple vendors, suppliers, and contract manufacturers. 
  • Prior experience in product assembly, procurement, and logistics within a manufacturing setting.  
  • Strong knowledge of packaging and distribution processes for consumer products.

• Key Skills
• • Strong project management and coordination skills, with the ability to track multiple production streams.
  • Expertise in supplier/vendor management, procurement, and logistics planning.
  • Ability to coordinate shopping for required components and materials to ensure seamless manufacturing.
  • Strong attention to detail with an ability to ensure product consistency and compliance with specifications.
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills to manage relationships with manufacturers and subcontractors.

Work Environment Requirements

• Frequent travel across multiple factory locations in India to monitor production and quality control.
• Hands-on role requiring on-site supervision of manufacturing and procurement processes.
• Ability to work across different time zones to provide updates to leadership teams in India and North America.

Additional Requirements

• Must be fluent in English and local languages to effectively coordinate with vendors and contractors.
• Experience working with ERP systems, production tracking tools, or supply chain management software is a plus.
• Strong commitment to quality, efficiency, and on-time delivery of manufactured goods.