This is definitely the way to use the theme! When I played it, it was like... Yeah makes total sense!
It was a bit difficult to understand how it works, maybe not have everything unlocked from the beginning, but you start unlocking recipes step by step. Also I though I needed to place the materials in the grid, but it seemed clicking was enough. Also, I would add an animation, when you scrap or craft something, so that you know it happened, and where the result went.
If the interaction of the box on the right side does not exist, I would make it in black and white or blur it, to bring the player's attention only to the UI elements that are interactable.
All in all it was a very interesting take on the reversing role idea, and the world would be a much better place, if more people would think like this.
If you have some time, maybe you could check out our submission, it is a bit... different let's say XD