Vice President, Extraction & Formulation

About the Role

Leads and oversees the entire extraction function across the organization, ensuring innovation, operational excellence, and consistent production of high-quality cannabis and hemp extracts within Vape, Concentrates, and Edibles categories. As a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, this role develops strategic initiatives to drive product quality, efficiency, and scalability of extraction processes, ensuring seamless technology transfer and execution across multiple facilities. This is a remote position with up to 50% travel required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive the strategic vision for the extraction and formulation group, aligning goals with overall business objectives and market trends.
• Lead high-impact initiatives to improve extraction technologies, filling and formulation processes, and operational efficiency, positioning the organization as a leader in innovation and quality in the cannabis industry.
• Direct multi-site operations to ensure consistency, reliability, and quality across all extraction and formulation facilities, supporting business growth and product expansion efforts.
• Provide thought leadership on trends and technologies in cannabis extraction, filling, and formulation, driving continuous improvement and competitive positioning.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, including federal, state, and local laws, maintaining the highest safety standards across all sites.
• Partner with product development teams to identify opportunities for new extracts, edibles, and concentrates, ensuring timely and effective launch of new products.
• Design, pilot, and implement new technologies at scale, working closely with R&D and engineering to ensure seamless adoption and commercialization across production facilities.
• Monitor and analyze emerging technologies, providing expert insights and recommendations for optimizing processes and improving product quality and consistency.
• Establish and oversee the implementation of best practices, SOPs, and facility standards for extraction processes, ensuring optimal performance and safety across all production sites.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize throughput, increase yields, and enhance overall efficiency in extraction and formulation processes.
• Build and lead a high-performing team of functional leaders and experts, providing mentorship, development, and support to drive professional growth and operational success.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and performance management, ensuring the team is aligned with the organization’s values, goals, and commitment to innovation and quality.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and continuous learning, encouraging cross-functional cooperation and knowledge sharing between extraction teams, operations, and corporate functions.
• Oversee complex, multi-site projects related to extraction and formulation, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with business goals.
• Collaborate closely with senior leaders in R&D, engineering, quality, and operations to ensure smooth integration of new processes and technologies across the network.
• Report regularly to executive leadership on project progress, extraction performance, and strategic opportunities, providing data-driven insights to inform key business decisions.

Safety & Compliance

• Be aware of hazards in the workspace.
• Retain and understand department-specific training.
• Report safety incidents/concerns and comply with follow-up actions.
• Be compliant with area safety requirements, state regulations, and PPE requirements.
• Follow GMP, biosecurity, sanitation, or other quality and compliance requirements.
• Perform record keeping accurately and completely as directed by a lead or supervisor.
• Report and escalate safety & quality concerns.
• Understand and adhere to applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations as they pertain to the industry, safety regulations, local municipal codes, and organizational rules, regulations, directives, and standard operating procedures.

Working Conditions

• Regularly perform reaching, grasping, bending, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to sit and/or stand for extended periods while maintaining focus.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing, and challenging environment.
• Daily exposure to allergens (such as cannabis, tree nuts, and coconut oil).
• Up to 50% travel required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biology, chemistry, or engineering required; doctoral degree preferred.
• 15+ years’ experience in operations, research and development, or engineering experience in cannabis.
• Prior experience formulating consumer products.
• Ability to plan, design experiments, and problem-solve.
• Capability to troubleshoot, fix, and service a wide range of equipment and software without assistance.
• Knowledge of laboratory best practices and sanitary design.
• Advanced math skills.
• Must be detail-oriented with superior organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with coworkers and management.
• Familiarity with OSHA guidelines for dealing with hazardous chemicals.

Additional Requirements

• Must pass any and all required background checks.
• Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Must be approved by state badging agency to work in the cannabis industry.

Pay

Green Thumb Pay Range: $200,000—$240,000 USD. Positions may be eligible for a discretionary annual incentive program driven by organization and individual performance.