Lead Budtender

Essential Employment Services•Albuquerque, NM

About The Position

The Lead Budtender, described in the posting as a Retail Personal Service Provider Lead, works under the direct supervision of the Store Management team. The role uses strong communication and customer-service skills to help ensure patients and customers receive respectful, high-quality service. The lead sets an example for the team, motivates coworkers, and supports efficient, productive, and accurate dispensary operations. Responsibilities include serving as a key holder, assisting with training and compliant sales and payment processing, handling cash and debit transactions, supporting inventory and restocking, and helping coordinate staff breaks. The role also assists customers with product selection and education, addresses customer-service issues, and helps ensure products are accurately handled, labeled, stored, and managed in accordance with applicable requirements. The position requires working in a dynamic retail environment and may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years old, as required by state law.
Minimum of 2–3 years of experience working in a dispensary or a customer-service role within the cannabis industry.
Strong understanding of cannabis products, strains, consumption methods, and their effects, with the ability to educate customers and team members.
Ability to provide exceptional customer service, resolve issues professionally, and create a welcoming environment for patients and customers.
Ability to lead by example, motivate team members, and support efficient dispensary operations.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to interact effectively with customers, coworkers, and management.
Understanding of and adherence to local and state cannabis laws and regulations, including ID verification and product compliance.
Ability to keep the dispensary organized, manage multiple tasks, and use time effectively.
Experience operating a point-of-sale system and accurately handling cash, debit, and credit transactions.
Ability to work collaboratively with budtenders and dispensary management.
Willingness to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
Ability to handle customer complaints professionally while maintaining a positive environment.
Ability to handle, label, and manage products and inventory accurately to meet compliance standards.
Ability to stand for extended periods, lift and carry up to 30 pounds, reach, bend, squat, and walk around the dispensary.
Manual dexterity to handle transactions and inventory, open and close packaging, label products, and operate a point-of-sale system.
Ability to occasionally use ladders or step stools to access high shelves.
Good vision to read labels and process transactions, and good hearing for communication in a busy environment.
Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, high-energy environment with fluctuating customer flow and tasks.

Nice To Haves

Previous leadership or supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as key holder by opening and/or closing the dispensary.
Assist the Store Management Team in training personal service providers and ensuring dispensing and payment processing are compliant and accurate.
Prepare register drawers for opening; close and reconcile cash and debit transactions; prepare daily bank deposits; and count and record daily cash tips.
Participate in store inventory management and restocking as directed by the Inventory Lead.
Assist the Store Manager with coordinating staff break schedules to maximize customer support during busy periods.
Troubleshoot customer-service issues professionally and authoritatively.
Ensure products are accurately labeled and stored according to regulatory compliance standards.
Assist customers with product selection and make recommendations based on their preferences.
Educate customers on strains, products, and consumption methods.
Process sales and handle cash, debit, and credit-card payments.
Stay up to date on new products, strains, and industry trends.
Contribute to a positive, welcoming team environment.
Participate in ongoing education and professional development as needed.
Perform other duties assigned by management.