Cannabis Lab & Extraction Manager

About the role

We are seeking an experienced, technically strong, and hands-on leader to manage our cannabis processing lab. The ideal candidate is a working manager who is equally comfortable on the floor running extraction and distillation as they are leading a team, owning SOPs, and partnering across the business.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day lab operations, including scheduling, staffing, and workflow across extraction, distillation, formulation, and kitchen teams.
• Oversee ethanol extraction operations, including solvent recovery, winterization, and filtration, ensuring yield, quality, and safety targets are consistently met.
• Direct distillation processes using wiped film and short path systems to produce high-purity distillate that meets product specifications.
• Lead formulation development and execution for finished goods, including vape carts, edibles, tablets, tinctures, balms, and oral solutions.
• Develop, validate, and maintain SOPs for all extraction, distillation, and formulation processes, ensuring consistency, repeatability, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain accurate batch records, equipment logs, and inventory of solvents, raw materials, and finished intermediates in compliance with state cannabis regulations and seed-to-sale tracking requirements.
• Manage preventive maintenance, calibration, and qualification of lab equipment, including extractors, rotary evaporators, wiped film and short path units, homogenizers, and filling equipment.
• Ensure lab safety, including ethanol handling, C1D2 compliance, PPE use, and emergency response readiness.
• Train, mentor, and evaluate lab technicians. Build technical depth across the team and drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase yield, reduce cycle time, and lower cost per unit across the lab.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific field; advanced degree preferred. Equivalent professional experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in cannabis, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, or food-grade extraction and manufacturing, with at least 1 year in a lab leadership role.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Demonstrated expertise in ethanol extraction and downstream processing (winterization, decarboxylation, solvent recovery).
• Hands-on operating experience with wiped film and short path distillation systems; able to troubleshoot, optimize, and validate runs.
• Strong formulation experience across multiple product formats, including vape carts, edibles, tablets, tinctures, and oral solutions.
• Proven ability to author and maintain SOPs, batch records, and validation protocols.
• Strong understanding of analytical methods and how to interpret COAs to make production decisions.
• Experience with seed-to-sale systems (METRC) preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership: hiring, training, performance management, and developing technical talent.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively across teams.
• Excellent attention to detail and a continuous improvement mindset focused on safety, quality, execution, and teamwork.
• Must be 21+ and able to pass a state-required background check for cannabis industry employment.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of cannabis extraction and processing techniques.
• Experience with laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

• Compensation: $80,000-85,000 annually depending on experience
• Relocation may be considered on a case by case basis depending on experience level
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance on the first of the month after you begin employment
• Competitive additional benefits including HSA, FSA, Dependable Care, EAP services, etc.
• 11 Days of accrued PTO in addition to 2 Wellness Days & Volunteer Hours that will increase with tenure
• 401k program with an employer match after six months of employment

Pay

$80,000-85,000 annually depending on experience

Schedule

Flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the lab and the team.