Lab Manager – Cannabis Operations

Industry: Cannabis Manufacturing

Employment Type: Full-Time

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Lab Manager to oversee all aspects of cannabis manufacturing operations, including extraction, refinement, and production. This leader will ensure products are manufactured safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with state regulations, internal quality standards, and operational procedures.

This is a critical leadership role responsible for driving production schedules, managing inventory, supporting compliance initiatives, and continuously improving manufacturing performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day cannabis manufacturing operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and regulatory compliance
• Manage and perform extraction processes, including BHO and CO₂ methods
• Lead diamond harvesting and distillate production operations
• Ensure strict adherence to state cannabis regulations and internal SOPs
• Maintain accurate tracking of cannabis materials and finished goods in METRC
• Utilize ERP systems to manage production data, workflow, and inventory (Canix or Dutchie experience preferred)
• Monitor equipment performance, enforce safety standards, and oversee preventative maintenance schedules
• Train, supervise, and support manufacturing staff to meet safety, quality, and productivity benchmarks
• Partner with Quality Assurance, Compliance, and Leadership teams during audits and inspections
• Identify and implement improvements to increase efficiency, yields, and product consistency
• Support additional projects and operational initiatives as needed

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3+ years of hands-on cannabis manufacturing experience
• Direct experience with BHO and CO₂ extraction methods
• Proven expertise in diamond harvesting and distillate production
• Strong working knowledge of METRC (required)
• Deep understanding of cannabis manufacturing safety protocols and state regulatory requirements
• Ability to manage multiple production processes in a fast-paced environment
• Must meet all state eligibility requirements for employment in a licensed cannabis facility
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Must be 21 years of age or older

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ERP systems such as Canix or Dutchie
• Prior leadership or supervisory experience in cannabis manufacturing

Skills & Competencies

• Self-starter with strong ownership mentality
• Highly detail-oriented
• Strong communicator and team collaborator
• Effective time management and task execution skills
• Proactive problem solver with initiative

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and use hands and arms
• Ability to lift and move materials up to 50 pounds
• Must be able to work in a production/manufacturing environment

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Paid Holidays
• PTO

About Vangst:

Vangst is the cannabis industry’s hiring platform. Vangst helps cannabis companies find the talent they need to grow their business. From on-demand gig workers to trained & credentialed full-time employees, Vangst has built the industry’s go-to talent marketplace for all cannabis hiring. Vangst is proud to work with 1,200+ of the cannabis industry’s leading businesses.

Since raising their seed round in 2018, Vangst has become one of the fastest-growing companies in the cannabis industry and was recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies.

Today, over 300,000 people have full-time jobs in the cannabis industry and this number is expected to triple over the next five years. Vangst is on a mission to fill every job in the cannabis industry.

Vangst’s headquarters is in Denver, CO. Vangst is a Series B company backed by Lerer Hippeau, Colle Capital, Level One Fund, Snoop Dogg’s Casa Verde Capital, and others.

Vangst provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.