Processing Manager

FarmaceuticalRX•Pittsburgh, PA

5d•$90,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Processing Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the Processing Department, including hydrocarbon extraction and refinement, infused product manufacturing, packaging, flower gramming, and pre-roll production. The role provides direct leadership to laboratory/extraction, packaging, flower-gramming, and pre-roll teams; manages staffing, scheduling, materials, and finished-product inventory; coordinates product testing; and works across departments to support outgoing orders. The Processing Manager leads new product development from market analysis through standardized, repeatable production. Products may be made from cured and fresh-frozen material and include concentrates, vape oils, distillate, and infused kitchen products made from extraction byproducts. The role creates and maintains SOPs for new products and existing operations to ensure products are cost-effective, compliant, and consistent. This is a hands-on management position responsible for hydrocarbon extraction operations, product formulation and scale-up, process standardization, quality control, regulatory compliance, equipment and inventory management, and facility standards. The position requires working in a warehouse and C1D1 hydrocarbon extraction environment, with variable temperatures and possible exposure to fumes, dust, odors, solvents, heights, motion, and noise. The work may be dirty or sticky and may leave an employee smelling like cannabis. Constant video surveillance is present. The employer is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in cannabis processing, extraction, manufacturing, or a related regulated production environment, including at least 3 years of hands-on laboratory and extraction experience.
At least 3 years of hands-on butane/propane hydrocarbon extraction experience using a closed-loop system in a C1D1 environment.
Demonstrated working knowledge of hydrocarbon processing, including extraction, filtration, winterization, rotary evaporation, decarboxylation, and distillation.
Experience processing both cured and fresh-frozen material.
At least 2 years of supervisory or management experience overseeing laboratory or production teams.
A proven record of writing and implementing SOPs and training staff on them in a regulated environment.
Experience analyzing market data and product costs to guide product-development decisions.
Experience developing and launching new cannabis products from concept through production.
Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and safe handling of flammable solvents and hazardous chemicals.
Understanding of state cannabis regulations, compliance requirements, and seed-to-sale tracking systems.
Availability for a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
Must be at least 21 years old.
Ability to pass a criminal background check.
Strong, confident leadership, ownership, and ability to drive accountability.
Analytical, data-driven decision-making skills.
Excellent technical writing and documentation skills.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety.
Clear communication across departments and with leadership.
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Ability to lift, push, and pull 50 pounds; sit, squat, bend, and kneel repetitively; stand for extended periods; and perform repetitive hand motions.
Ability to wear required PPE, including flame-resistant clothing, respirators, gloves, and eye protection, for extended periods.
Ability to work safely in a C1D1 hydrocarbon extraction environment and handle cryogenic and fresh-frozen material.
Ability to use a computer for extended periods and work around plants in an environment with constant video surveillance.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biology, Food Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Operations Management, or a related field; equivalent education and hands-on industry experience may be considered.
Experience managing packaging, flower-gramming, or pre-roll production teams.
Experience developing infused kitchen products such as edibles, tinctures, or other ingestibles.
Experience creating products from extraction byproducts.
Familiarity with GMP, food safety, or ServSafe standards.
Hydrocarbon or C1D1 equipment certifications.

Responsibilities

Oversee and perform processing activities, including extraction, formulation, distillation, inventory management, waste management, and consumables management.
Manage daily production operations, scheduling, and recordkeeping to support efficiency and compliance; anticipate production needs to meet patient demand.
Troubleshoot operational issues involving production processes, equipment, and team performance.
Lead and supervise packaging, flower-gramming, and pre-roll teams; manage staffing, scheduling, and daily production targets.
Oversee finished-product packaging and labeling for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with state requirements; coordinate priorities with production schedules and sales to fulfill orders.
Ensure accurate flower weighing, gramming, and pre-roll production in line with weight tolerances, quality, and compliance standards.
Manage flower, pre-roll material, packaging material, and finished-goods inventory, including seed-to-sale tracking, reconciliation, waste, and shake tracking.
Improve throughput, consistency, and yield through process improvements and appropriate equipment use; coordinate with Cultivation on incoming flower and Sales on finished-goods availability.
Lead, coach, and hold processing, laboratory, packaging, flower-gramming, and pre-roll teams accountable for safety, quality, and production standards.
Provide leadership updates on production, research and development, staffing, and operational issues; identify and develop future leaders, cross-train staff, and support recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training.
Collaborate with leadership and other departments, supporting company initiatives and promoting communication and teamwork across processing, cultivation, quality, and sales.
Analyze market trends, sales data, competitor offerings, and patient demand to identify product opportunities; evaluate costs, yields, labor, and equipment needs and present business cases to leadership.
Maintain a product development pipeline with timelines, milestones, and launch plans; review product performance after launch and recommend improvements or discontinuations.
Oversee formulation and production of cannabis products, including products made from cured and fresh-frozen biomass, concentrates, vape oils, distillate-based products, and infused pre-rolls.
Develop secondary products from extraction byproducts and formulate infused kitchen products such as edibles, tinctures, and other ingestibles, addressing dosing accuracy, homogeneity, and shelf stability.
Run and document pilot batches, scale successful formulations to production, and research extraction, refinement, and formulation methods.
Own and operate the hydrocarbon extraction booth, including closed-loop system setup, solvent management, and safe shutdown.
Oversee post-extraction processes, including filtration, winterization, separation, isolation, rotary evaporation, decarboxylation, and short-path, wiped-film, or fractional distillation; optimize run parameters for yield, quality, and consistency.
Ensure C1D1 booth operations meet fire code, OSHA, and manufacturer safety requirements, and operate laboratory equipment safely and effectively.
Create SOPs for new products and audit, write, or update SOPs for existing processing, packaging, flower-gramming, and pre-roll operations.
Establish batch records, work instructions, and training materials; maintain document control, version history, and review schedules; train staff on SOPs and verify competency.
Ensure product consistency, efficacy, and safety through quality-control procedures and testing, including potency, purity, and residual-solvent standards; coordinate analytical testing of R&D, pilot, and production batches.
Ensure compliance with Ohio cannabis regulations, seed-to-sale tracking requirements, and company safety, security, and health policies; maintain familiarity with OSHA guidelines and safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals and flammable solvents.
Uphold laboratory cleanliness, data-entry, and operational best practices and foster a compliant, safety-focused department.
Ensure extraction, refinement, laboratory, packaging, and pre-roll equipment is maintained, calibrated, and safe; recommend and specify equipment for production and product development.
Oversee R&D materials, solvents, packaging supplies, waste tracking, and disposal; maintain clean, organized clothing, tools, and workspaces.
Work across functions to maintain cleanliness, organization, functionality, safety, and security throughout the facility.
Perform additional duties as assigned to support efficient and compliant operations.