Admin Manager

About Origin

Origin (previously 10xConstruction) is building general-purpose autonomous robots for US construction — tackling rising costs, safety risks, and labour shortages. Our modular, multi-trade platform combines purpose-built hardware with real-time site intelligence. Our Bengaluru R&D lab is a fast-paced environment where operational rigour directly impacts the speed of innovation.

About the Role

The Admin Manager will be the operational backbone of Origin’s R&D lab. You will own four critical functions: R&D lab store and inventory management, procurement of components and consumables, the employee travel desk, and IT desk management. This is a hands-on individual contributor role requiring someone who has performed these responsibilities directly — not managed teams that did — for a sustained period of 6 to 8 years. We have had a previous hire in this role who lacked the depth of experience required. We are specifically looking for someone who can demonstrate tangible, first-hand ownership of each of the four functions below.

Key Responsibilities

1. Store & Inventory Management — R&D Lab

• Maintain real-time inventory of all electronic components, PCBs, mechanical parts, tools, and lab consumables used in R&D.

• Implement and manage a proper store system — inward/outward registers, stock reconciliation, minimum reorder levels, and bin management.

• Conduct periodic audits and physical stock counts; identify and report discrepancies promptly.

• Ensure proper labelling, storage, and traceability of components to prevent loss, damage, or obsolescence.

• Coordinate with engineers and project leads to forecast demand and maintain adequate stock without over-ordering.

2. Procurement — Consumables & Admin Items

• Raise and process purchase orders (POs) for lab consumables, components, stationery, pantry supplies, and office admin items.

• Source vendors, obtain quotations, negotiate pricing, and manage vendor relationships for repeat and one-off purchases.

• Track order status from placement through delivery; follow up with suppliers to ensure timely fulfilment.

• Maintain purchase records, invoices, and delivery challans; coordinate with accounts for timely payment and reconciliation.

• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or delivery timelines.

3. Travel Desk Management

• Handle end-to-end travel logistics for employees — flight, train, and bus bookings, hotel accommodation, and local transport.

• Manage travel requests, approvals, and advance payments in accordance with company travel policy.

• Liaise with travel vendors and booking platforms to secure best-available rates.

• Maintain travel records, expense claims, and reimbursements; coordinate with HR/Finance for settlement.

• Assist with visa applications and related documentation for international travel as required.

4. IT Desk Management

• Serve as the first point of contact for IT-related requests — laptop setup, accessories, peripherals, and basic troubleshooting.

• Maintain an asset register of all IT equipment (laptops, monitors, keyboards, dongles, SIM cards, etc.) and track allocation, returns, and condition.

• Coordinate with vendors and service partners for hardware procurement, repair, and AMC renewals.

• Manage onboarding and offboarding IT logistics — device issuance, account setup coordination, and equipment retrieval.

• Liaise with external IT support or service vendors for issues beyond first-level resolution; track tickets to closure.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 6–8 years of direct, hands-on experience in office administration or R&D/lab operations — with personal ownership of store management, procurement, travel desk, and IT desk (not just team oversight).

• Demonstrable experience managing physical inventory: stock registers, inward/outward tracking, bin systems, and periodic audits.

• Proven procurement experience: raising POs, vendor sourcing and negotiation, invoice and challan tracking.

• Hands-on experience running a travel desk: booking tools, policy compliance, and expense processing.

• Proficient in MS Excel or Google Sheets for maintaining inventory logs, purchase trackers, and travel MIS.

• Graduate in any discipline; a degree or diploma in Business Administration or Operations is an advantage.

• Prior experience in a technology, manufacturing, or R&D organisation is strongly preferred.

What We Are Looking For

• A self-starter who takes ownership — notices a gap in the store or a pending PO and closes it without being prompted.

• Meticulous and process-driven: sets up systems that keep running reliably, not just reacts to problems.

• Strong follow-through: bookings confirmed, orders tracked, invoices reconciled — nothing falls through the cracks.

• Good communicator who can coordinate with engineers, finance, and vendors without friction.

• Comfortable with a 6-day on-site work week in a startup R&D environment where pace and flexibility matter.

What We Offer

• A pivotal role where your work directly enables R&D throughput and team productivity.