Operations Manager

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Job Summary

The Operations Manager oversees all aspects of daily operations across Security Administrative Cultivation Harvest and Trim departments to ensure compliant efficient safe and high-quality cannabis production. This role coordinates cross-functional activities drives process improvements manages budgets and ensures adherence to local regulations company policies and safety standards.

Reporting to:

CEO/ Senior Leadership

Direct reports

- Security

- Admin

- Cultivation

- Harvest

- Trim Leads

- Maintenance

Key Responsibilities

Operations Leadership

• Develop implement and optimize standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all departments (security admin cultivation harvest trim) to ensure consistency quality and compliance.
• Collaborate with the Head of Cultivation and manage production calendars planting schedules cycle plans trimming and processing timelines and harvest windows.
• Coordinate cross-department workflows to maximize efficiency minimize bottlenecks and maximize yields and product quality.
• Track and improve overall performance effectiveness and labor utilization.

Compliance Security and Regulatory Adherence

• Ensure compliance with all applicable cannabis laws licensing requirements and company policies (security recordkeeping inventory control waste handling sanitation pesticide use environmental controls).
• Oversee security protocols access control surveillance and incident reporting; manage investigations and corrective actions.
• Maintain accurate auditable records for regulatory inspections audits and seed-to-sale traceability.

Production & Cultivation Management

• Oversee in collaboration with the Head of Cultivation all operations from propagation to final product.
• Oversee and manage in collaboration with the Head of Cultivation all of the harvest planning including scheduling drying/curing timelines weighing packaging labeling and storage.
• Ensure quality control across all stages: pest management product consistency potency testing coordination and adherence to post-harvest specifications.
• Assist in optimizing clone management ensuring proper labeling tracking and inventory accuracy.

Administrative & Financial Oversight

• Manage department budgets cost controls equipment purchases maintenance contracts and supplier relationships in collaboration with Controller and VP Finance.

• Oversee purchasing receiving and inventory management for cultivation supplies nutrients substrates PPE and packaging in collaboration with Controller.
• Ensure accurate payroll timekeeping and labor forecasting; approve departmental schedules and overtime as needed.
• Coordinate with HR on staffing training performance reviews and safety programs.
• Ensure existing cash handling procedures are maintained without exception.

Quality Safety and Training

• Lead quality assurance initiatives troubleshoot deviations implement Corrective Action and Preventive Actions and drive continuous improvement.
• Promote a strong safety culture; ensure compliance with PPE SDS chemical handling and incident reporting.
• Develop and deliver ongoing training for all staff on SOPs regulatory requirements safety and best practices.
• Conduct internal audits and prepare for external audits or inspections.

Data Reporting and Continuous Improvement

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for each department (e.g. cycle times clone viability harvest moisture content trim/lint quality security incident rate inventory accuracy).
• Produce regular operations reports for senior leadership highlighting risks opportunities and trend analyses.
• Lead improvement projects to reduce waste improve throughout and raise product quality.

Performance Metrics (KPIs)

• Yield by harvest and by strain and overall production efficiency as determined by CEO
• Harvest quality metrics
• Inventory accuracy and shrink losses
• Experimental yields or improvements from process changes
• Security incident rate access control compliance and audit findings
• On-time scheduling adherence for planting pruning harvesting and processing
• Labor productivity
• Compliance audit pass rates and corrective action closures
• Training completion rates and safety incident rates

Qualifications

1. Bachelors degree in Agriculture Business Administration is a plus but not required
2. Operations Management or a related field; or equivalent practical experience.
3. 5 years of management experience in cannabis cultivation or a closely related field is preferred.
4. Knowledge of cannabis regulations licensing requirements and track-and-trace systems (e.g. seed-to-sale).
5. Experience with cultivation best practices.
6. Demonstrated ability to create and enforce SOPs work instructions people development and training programs.
7. Strong financial acumen: budgeting forecasting cost control and vendor relationships and negotiations.
8. Proficient in inventory management.

Skills and Competencies

1. Leadership and team-building: ability to mentor motivate and develop staff across departments.
2. Operations management: project planning scheduling prioritization and resource allocation.
3. Excellent communication leadership and conflict-resolution abilities.
4. Regulatory literacy: comprehensive understanding of applicable cannabis laws and compliance processes.
5. Data literacy: comfort with data analysis metrics tracking and reporting.
6. Problem-solving: proactive detail-oriented and able to de-escalate issues.
7. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to make data-driven decisions.
8. Physical fitness to perform essential job duties including lifting standing for extended periods and working in a controlled environment.
9. Change management: capable of implementing new processes with minimal disruption.

Work Environment

• Controlled environment with exposure to agricultural inputs equipment
• Requires standing for long periods bending lifting (light to moderate) and occasional outside temperatures when entering cultivation or loading areas.
• May require flexible hours including weekends or on-call support to cover production cycles and security needs.