Role Purpose (Mission-Critical Role)
The Head of DIY Kits Manufacturing & Factory Setup will lead the end-to-end establishment of Lab of Future’s in-house production unit — from factory layout design, machine selection, utilities planning, manpower structuring, software implementation, process SOPs, pilot production, quality systems, and full-scale production ramp-up.
This role holds complete ownership of manufacturing infra, production efficiency, cost structure, quality, and scalability for Lab of Future’s DIY Kits business.
Phase-Wise Ownership Scope
PHASE 1 – Factory Setup (0–2 Months)
✅ Factory layout & line design
✅ Machine selection & installation
✅ Utilities planning (Power, Air, Ventilation)
✅ Software & ERP implementation
✅ Manpower hiring & training
✅ Trial runs & pilot production
PHASE 2 – Scaled Manufacturing (2–4 Months)
✅ Mass production
✅ Cost optimization
✅ Yield improvement
✅ Automation integration
✅ Export-grade compliance
Key Responsibilities
1. Manufacturing Unit Design & Factory Setup ● Design complete plant layout for:
○ Injection moulding section
○ 3D printing section
○ CNC & metal casting zone
○ Electronics assembly & soldering
○ Kit assembly & kitting
○ QC & testing
○ Packaging & dispatch
● Define:
○ Material flow
○ Manpower flow
○ Safety zoning
○ ESD-safe zones
● Plan factory capacity for:
○ 5,000 → 50,000 kits/month scalability.
2. Machine Selection, Procurement & Installation Machinery Responsibility Includes:
✅ Injection Moulding
● Horizontal & vertical moulding machines
● Tonnage selection (50T–350T)
● Hot runner systems
● Chillers & dryers
✅ 3D Printing (Industrial)
● FDM, SLA, SLS machines
● Continuous production printers
● Filament dryers & enclosures
✅ Metal & Mechanical
● CNC milling
● Lathe machines
● Drilling & tapping
● Die casting / sand casting setups
✅ Electronics Production
● Soldering stations
● Reflow ovens
● Pick & place (future scale)
● Testing rigs
✅ Packaging
● Die-cut box machines
● Shrink-wrapping
● Label printing
● Barcoding systems
Ownership includes:
● Machine specs finalization
● Vendor negotiations
● Installation & commissioning
● Preventive maintenance systems
3. Software, Automation & Digital Systems ● Select & implement:
○ ERP / MRP software
○ BOM tracking systems
○ Inventory software
○ Production planning tools
○ Quality documentation systems
● Implement:
○ Barcode-based inventory
○ Batch traceability
○ Rejection & rework monitoring
4. Manpower Planning & Production Organization ● Structure complete factory manpower hierarchy:
○ Production engineers
○ Machine operators
○ Toolroom technicians
○ Quality engineers
○ Assembly supervisors
○ Store & logistics team
● Define:
○ Skill matrix
○ Shift planning
○ Output targets
○ OJT (On-the-job training) programs
5. Tooling, Injection Moulding & DFM Ownership ● Validate:
○ Mould designs
○ Gating systems
○ Cooling layouts
● Own:
○ Tool life
○ Tool maintenance
○ Multi-cavity optimization
● Drive:
○ DFM
○ DFA
○ Scrap % reduction
6. Materials Engineering & Alternatives ● Finalize:
○ ABS, Nylon, PP, PETG, Bioplastics
● Introduce:
○ Sustainable materials
○ Recycled polymers
○ Hybrid composites
● Optimize:
○ Strength
○ Cost
○ Weight
○ Environmental compliance
7. Assembly Line Design & Production Scaling ● Design:
○ Conveyor-based assembly (future phase)
○ Jig fixtures
○ Mistake-proofing (Poka-yoke)
● Scale production:
○ Manual → Semi-automated → Automated
8. Packaging Engineering & Export Readiness ● Develop:
○ Structural packaging
○ Inner foam / ESD trays
○ Drop-test compliance
● Ensure:
○ Retail-ready packaging
○ Export-grade cartonization
○ SKU-wise packing SOPs
9. Quality Systems, Safety & Certifications ● Implement:
○ Incoming QC
○ In-process QC
○ Final QC
● Safety:
○ Child safety
○ Electrical safety
○ Mechanical safety
● Lead certifications:
○ BIS
○ CE
○ ROHS
○ ISO 9001 (future)
10. Vendor Ecosystem & Cost Ownership ● Develop:
○ Plastic granule suppliers
○ Tooling vendors
○ PCB vendors
○ Motor & battery suppliers
● Maintain:
○ BOM targets
○ Cost benchmarks
○ Gross margin discipline
Eligibility & Experience
● Degree in:
○ Mechanical
○ Production
○ Industrial
○ Mechatronics
● 10–18 years of hardcore manufacturing experience.
● Mandatory experience in:
✅ Setting up factories from scratch
✅ Injection moulding
✅ Tooling & die management
✅ Production planning
✅ Multistage assembly lines
Core Technical Mastery Required
✅ Injection moulding & toolroom
✅ Industrial 3D printing
✅ CNC machining
✅ Metal casting
✅ Production automation
✅ Quality systems
✅ MRP/ERP
✅ Factory layout design
✅ Yield optimization
✅ Preventive maintenance
Leadership & Behavioral Traits
✅ Builder mindset
✅ High operational discipline ✅ Cost obsession
✅ Vendor command
✅ Data-driven manufacturing ✅ Zero-defect mentality ✅ Startup agility + Factory rigor