Sr. Manager, Automation & Maintenance

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a national automation strategy aligned with company growth, scalability, and production objectives.
• Standardize automation systems, control platforms, and preventative maintenance programs across multiple states.
• Lead, coach, and develop regional Automation Managers, Specialists, and maintenance personnel.
• Establish, track, and report KPIs related to equipment uptime, system reliability, production efficiency, labor optimization, and cost control.
• Provide executive-level reporting and performance insights to senior leadership.
• Oversee complex troubleshooting of electrical, mechanical, PLC, HMI, SCADA, and automated control systems across facilities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce downtime, increase throughput, and optimize operational efficiency.
• Manage national automation budgets, capital expenditures, and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Evaluate when to internally manage projects versus outsourcing to qualified vendors or contractors.
• Sources, vets, negotiates, and oversees third-party contractors and technical partners.
• Ensure compliance with all state-specific regulations, local codes, safety standards, and company SOPs.
• Build scalable documentation systems, standardized SOPs, and technical training programs.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on expansion projects, new facility launches, retrofits, and system upgrades.
• Travel regularly between states and facilities (up to 50–70% travel as required).
• Provide on-site leadership during critical system failures or major installations, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Adept to adapt work schedule to meet operational demands during peak production or expansion initiatives.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, safety, and professional development.
• Promote open communication and demonstrate the ability to both provide and accept constructive feedback.
• Think strategically and creatively to solve complex operational challenges.

Minimum Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in automation, industrial systems, controls engineering, or maintenance leadership required.
• 3–5+ years of multi-site, regional, or national leadership experience required.
• Advanced knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, electrical systems, mechanical systems, and industrial automated controls.
• Demonstrated success designing and implementing preventative and predictive maintenance programs at scale.
• Proven experience managing budgets, capital projects, vendor contracts, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Ability to travel frequently (up to 50–70%) across multiple states.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including extended hours and weekends, based on operational needs.
• Demonstrated leadership capability in building high-performing teams while maintaining accountability.
• Ability to accept feedback and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Experience managing third-party partnerships effectively.
• High school diploma or GED required; technical degree preferred.
• Relevant certifications preferred (OSHA, Electrical Licensing, PLC programming, Industrial Maintenance, etc.).
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and comply with applicable state regulations.

Verano Base Pay Range

• $70,000 - $80,000 + Annual Bonus
• Actual pay is based on experience, qualifications, and location of the role. Roles may be eligible for annual bonus program based on individual and company performance.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Product discounts

Physical and Mental Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position, move and/or position oneself, communicate, operate and/or prepare, place, position objects, tools, or controls.
• The employee must occasionally move packages weighing up to 50 lb.
• Able to stand for 90% of the time.
• Comfortable with heights, occasionally ascends/descends a ladder to service the lights, filters, trellis netting and ceiling fans up to 25ft.
• Comfortable working atop and traversing scaffolding, when required.
• Comfortable with changing environment temperatures and humidity.
• Exposure to pollen, dust, dander, and other nature elements.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close observation and the ability to adjust focus.
• The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those an individual, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Working Environment

• Work is performed in a warehouse environment.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and risk of electrical shock.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.