Artisan Production Manager

The Role

We are seeking a passionate and meticulous Artisan Production Manager to join our team in Varanasi. This is the most critical on-the-ground role in our company, acting as the bridge between our brand's vision and the master artisans who create our products.

You will be responsible for managing the entire local production lifecycle, from building artisan relationships and coordinating timelines to ensuring rigorous quality control and managing our product inventory. The ideal candidate has a deep appreciation for Indian craftsmanship, an exacting eye for quality, and a talent for building relationships.

Responsibilities

Artisan & Production Management

• Serve as the primary, on-site point of contact for our master artisan partners in and around Varanasi.
• Build and maintain strong, respectful, and ethical relationships, acting as a true partner to the artisan community.
• Coordinate production timelines, clearly communicate design specifications, and monitor progress from loom to finished product.
• Proactively identify and troubleshoot any production challenges, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met.

Quality Control & Inventory

• Perform

  rigorous quality control (QC)

  on 100% of finished products. You will be the final word on quality, ensuring each piece meets Zarnika's luxury "heirloom" standards (checking for weave, color, finishing, and dimensions).
• Meticulously receive, catalog, photograph, and tag each unique, limited-edition item in our inventory system.
• Maintain 100% accuracy of all inventory records, managing the physical stock in a clean, safe, and secure space.

Local Logistics & Reporting

• Manage the careful and beautiful packaging of finished goods for shipment to our central e-commerce hub.
• Coordinate with courier partners for timely and safe pickups, and prepare all shipping documentation.
• Provide regular, clear reports to the remote team on production status, QC results, and inventory levels.

Qualifications

• Must be based in or able to work daily from Varanasi.
• Exceptional, meticulous attention to detail. This is the most critical skill for this role.
• Proven experience in production, quality control, inventory management, or a similar operational role (e.g., in textiles, manufacturing, or e-commerce).
• Fluency in Hindi is essential for clear and respectful communication with artisan partners.
• Strong proficiency in English (written and verbal) for reporting to the core team.
• A self-starter: you must be reliable, trustworthy, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficient with technology, including email, smartphones, and spreadsheets.

Bonus Points

• A background, education, or deep personal passion for textiles, fashion, or Indian handicrafts.
• Experience in a similar role for an e-commerce, fashion, or luxury brand.
• Existing relationships within the Varanasi artisan or textile community.

Why Join Zarnika?

• Be a part of a passionate team dedicated to preserving and celebrating Indian craftsmanship.
• Play a critical, on-the-ground role in building a new and exciting luxury brand from the ground up.
• Work directly with master artisans and be immersed in the rich textile heritage of Varanasi.
• A dynamic, respectful, and supportive work environment.