Head of Textile Craft Development

Location: Navi Mumbai or Mumbai (ONLY)Travel: Occasional travel to remote craft clusters across IndiaType: Contract (6 months)About UsHeirloom Nation is a home textiles startup based in the US and India. We work closely with master artisans to create contemporary expressions of heritage craft. Our core values are:Respect for the craft: We work towards preserving traditional craft methods while nurturing their evolution Respect for the artisans: We follow fair trade practices that build and empower the artisan community Respect for the environment: We make choices that are mindful, responsible and kind to our environmentRole OverviewWe are seeking a Head of Textile Craft Development & Production to lead on-ground operations across multiple craft sectors. This role is pivotal in bridging design intent with artisanal execution, ensuring that our production processes uphold both creative vision and craftsmanship excellence.As the head of craft development and production, you will have a consequential impact on the growth of a startup that is reimagining India’s craft legacy and pushing the boundaries of innovation with artisanal textiles. You will be joining the core founding team and will be responsible for creating processes and structures from the ground up. This is currently a contract position with the potential to turn into a full-time role at the end of the term.Key ResponsibilitiesEnd-to-End Production Management: Oversee the complete production cycle — from yarn sourcing, dyeing, weaving, and embroidery through to finishing and quality control.Artisan & Vendor Relations: Build and maintain strong partnerships with artisan clusters, cooperatives, and independent craft vendors.Craft Development: Support the development of new textile designs and techniques, collaborating closely with the design team.Scheduling & Coordination: Manage production timelines, raw material procurement, and logistics to ensure on-time delivery.Quality & Sustainability: Uphold quality standards, troubleshoot production issues, and ensure ethical, sustainable practices across all processes.Documentation & Reporting: Maintain detailed records of production runs, costing, timelines, and vendor performance.Behavioral QualificationsWe are seeking a strategic operational partner who can problem-solve and deal with ambiguity with ease and is eager to work as a true partner with us in this journey.  We are looking for a highly motivated self-starter who is as resourceful as they are hands-on. You must be willing to roll-up your sleeves and get your hands into the nitty-gritty of the operational needs of a startup.We are looking for someone who takes full ownership of commitments and outcomes, acts transparently and ethically and demonstrates genuine passion for this role. Excellent communication and organizational skills are key in this role. You must have a professional and respectful approach to communication with everyone. You must have a keen eye for detail and a forward thinking approach to planning, organizing and executing. You must have a genuine appreciation and passion for India’s artisanal textile crafts.Qualifications & ExperienceMinimum 3 years of experience working with textiles production (home or apparel). Strong preference for experience with handloom, Ajrakh block printing, and hand embroidery.Strong understanding of textile production processesPreference for someone with existing network and connections with handloom and Ajrakh craft sectorsDemonstrated ability to manage multiple production processes with skilled organization and communicationExcellent communication skills (in Hindi and English); ability to work effectively with rural artisans and urban design teams.Comfortable with travel to remote craft clusters as required.Able to commute to Kharghar, Navi Mumbai on a daily/ weekly basis.Contract DetailsDuration: 6 months (with potential for extension)Compensation: Competitive, commensurate with experience