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Director of Manufacturing

Louisiana | Full-Time, On-Site |Operations

Base salary $110,000–$150,000 + annual bonus| Relocation assistance available

About Vangst & This Search

Vangst is the cannabis industry’s leading talent partner, connecting top operators with the companies building the future of the market. We are conducting a confidential search on behalf of a well-established, licensed cannabis company in Louisiana Following recent investment in expanded production capacity, our client has engaged Vangst to help them find an experienced manufacturing leader who can make the most of that capacity and meet rising demand. This is a rare opportunity to step into a stable, fast-growing operation and make a lasting impact at a pivotal moment. We are excited to speak with strong candidates already in Louisiana, as well as those open to relocating, and Vangst will guide you through every step of the process — including a confidential conversation about the role, the company, and life in the area.

About the Role

Reporting to the VP of Operations, the Director of Manufacturing leads operations across extraction, production, packaging, and related support functions. You will ensure the safe, compliant, efficient, and consistent production of high-quality regulated cannabis products. You will lead a team of managers, drive continuous improvement, strengthen operational discipline, and support long-term capacity planning, cost control, and leadership development.

What You'll Do

• Operational Strategy: Develop and execute manufacturing strategies that improve efficiency, reduce waste, strengthen consistency, and support product quality.
• Safety Culture: Lead and reinforce a world-class safety culture across all manufacturing operations.
• Capacity Optimization: Assess production capacity, equipment utilization, and staffing needs to meet current and future demand and capitalize on our expanded footprint.
• Cost Control: Monitor operating costs and implement cost-saving improvements without compromising quality, safety, or compliance.
• Team Leadership: Lead manufacturing managers and team leaders, develop talent, and build engaged, accountable, high-performing teams.
• Accountability & Succession Planning: Foster a culture of ownership, effective delegation, leadership development, and succession readiness.
• Capital Improvements: Identify, advocate for, and implement capital improvement projects that support long-term strategic plans.
• Root Cause & Corrective Action: Drive disciplined, timely root cause analysis and corrective action for production-related deviations.
• Performance Metrics: Establish consistent data practices and monitor KPIs to track performance, identify trends, and drive improvement.
• Compliance & Quality Systems: Ensure operations comply with Louisiana medical marijuana regulations, company SOPs, quality standards, and safety requirements.
• Industry Knowledge: Stay current on manufacturing trends, emerging technologies, and best practices to support innovation and operational excellence.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience, in operations management, business, engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years leading high-volume manufacturing, extraction/lab production, food production, or a related operation.
• Demonstrated experience leading managers, supervisors, or team leaders in a production environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly organized, with strong attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through.
• Ability to remain compliant with company policies and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Ability to sit, stand, kneel, bend, squat, and/or walk for extended periods, and lift up to 50 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Cannabis industry experience.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing, food production, pharmaceutical production, or similar compliance-driven environments.
• Experience using KPIs, production data, or operational dashboards to manage performance.

Compensation & Relocation

• Base salary range of $110,000–$150,000, commensurate with experience.
• Annual performance bonus of 5–10%.
• Relocation reimbursement