The Role
This role requires up to 50% travel.
The Director, Edibles Implementation will be directly responsible for identifying, recommending, scaling and deploying processes for cannabis infused edible products. This position will work with our Product Development team to determine and provide strategic direction on scaled procedures for newly validated innovations. Once the scaled process is validated, the Director, Edibles deploys the Edibles Implementation team to scale the process up in our various manufacturing facilities. Responsibilities associated with the technical role include supporting the Product Development team, providing subject matter expertise and supporting sites for new product validation runs, troubleshooting processing issues, escalating issues, documenting process deviations, and leading sites to quickly remedy production issues while providing best practice guidance. Green Thumb is growing fast, and as our Director, Edibles Implementation, you will be tasked with driving your team to support the evolving demands of our fast-paced business. You must have constant curiosity, a proven ability to train and develop others to achieve exceptional results, passion for our products and a team-first mentality.
Essential Functions
Technical Expertise:
- Extensive knowledge of edibles manufacturing processes, chemistry, and processing equipment.
- Is the subject matter expert on the latest advancements in food processing technologies and best practices.
- Provide expert guidance to our manufacturing sites on food processing methods, equipment, and techniques to optimize production processes and efficiencies.
- Address and resolves technical issues, equipment malfunctions, and unexpected challenges in edibles processing.
- Analyze data to drive efficiency, process improvements, workflow changes, and all critical decision-making.
Process Improvement:
- Continuously assess and improve processing methods and operations for efficiency improvements, cost-effectiveness, and product quality.
- Recommend and implement process enhancements or automation where applicable.
- Instill optimized processes at manufacturing sites and challenge the status quo.
- Execute small batch experimentation to support all levels of formulation, scalability, automation, and national processing deviations.
Training and Education:
- Act as subject matter expert to provide training and guidance to production teams on new product Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), best practices, safety protocols, and equipment operation.
- Create and deliver educational materials and refresher workshops as needed.
- Develop and transfer all pertinent documentation for a vertical, reliable and sustainable technical transfer for any new process.
Team Management and Development:
- Recruit, mentor, manage, empower, and develop other professionals responsible for supporting our productions with the goal of ensuring a best-in-class internal customer experience.
- Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular performance reviews, and provide constructive feedback to ensure constant growth of our GTI team members.
- Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment, establishing processes for cross-functional collaboration with other departments, including Operations, Quality, and Supply Chain, to bring new products to market successfully.
Documentation and Reporting:
- Maintain accurate records of production processes, quality controls, and necessary safety measures/PPE required.
- Drives the development and improvement of batch production records, templates, SOPs, work aids and site readiness documents for a successful product launch.
- Prepare reports for management and regulatory authorities as required.
- Manages and drives product specification development and reviews as needed to maintain speed to market for new products.
Food Safety, Quality and Compliance:
- Collaborate with corporate Quality team to ensure food processing operations meet all relevant regulatory and safety standards, such as FDA, USDA, and local health department guidelines.
- Develop and implement quality control protocols to maintain consistent product quality and safety.
- Identify and address any quality-related issues promptly and escalate to leadership with action plan.
- Aid compliance and accuracy involving product tracking, product security, and product creation.
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.
- Maintain and calibrate tools, equipment and machinery as directed by a lead or supervisor.
- Report and escalate safety & quality concerns.
Working Conditions
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform reaching, grasping, bending, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
- Must be able to repetitively climb ladders and/or stairs and work from elevated platforms.
- Must be able to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time while maintaining focus.
- Must be able to lift, carry, and balance up to 50 pounds (and up to 100 pounds with assistance) AND must be able to do so with extreme care and caution when working with product.
- Must be able to work in an environment that is 85+ degrees and 70% humidity for extended periods.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing, and challenging environment.
- Work involves daily exposure to allergens (such as cannabis, tree nuts, and coconut oil).
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in related STEM discipline such as chemistry, biology or physics preferred or substitute applicable extensive hands-on experience in food processing, preferably in various product categories.
- In-depth knowledge of food safety regulations and industry standards.
- The ability to travel up to 50% of the time and many times with short notice.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Ability to plan, design experiments, and problem solve.
- Effective time-management skills and ability to multi-task
- Capability of troubleshooting, fixing, and services a wide range of equipment and software without assistance.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with coworkers and management.
- Understanding & adhering 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.
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 valid driver’s license
- Must be a minimum of 21 years of age
- Must be approved by state badging agency to work in cannabis industry
#LI-REMOTE
