Cannabis Production Manager

Job Title:

Manufacturing Operations Manager (Cannabis Production & Compliance)

Location:

Penns Grove, NJ

Company:

Little Leaf Labs

Compensation:

$80,000 – $95,000 base, with additional upside for candidates who demonstrate measurable impact in production scaling, cost reduction, and compliance performance.

Overview

Little Leaf Labs is a high-growth cannabis manufacturing company producing approximately 30,000 units per monthacross prerolls, packaged flower, and vape products. We operate a lean, performance-driven team (10 employees scaling to 15+ with automation integration).

We are hiring a Manufacturing Operations Manager to take full ownership of production, compliance, and operational performance.

This is a high-accountability role. You are responsible for output, efficiency, compliance, and team execution — not just oversight.

Core Responsibilities

Production & Throughput

• Manage daily manufacturing across preroll, flower, and vape and edible production lines
• Execute and optimize a single-shift operation
• Scale output beyond 30,000 units/month
• Identify bottlenecks and implement process improvements

KPI Ownership (Non-Negotiable)

You will build, track, and improve:

• Employee productivity (units/hour)
• Facility output (Create and achieve/daily/weekly targets)
• Labor efficiency (cost per unit)
• Waste reduction (material + process loss)
• Lab performance (pass rates, consistency)
• Fulfillment accuracy and turnaround time

Inventory, Ordering & Systems

• Own inventory and purchasing across Distru, APEX, and Metrc
• Forecast raw materials and packaging requirements
• Maintain real-time inventory accuracy
• Build and manage Excel-based reporting dashboards
• Compliance (Full Ownership)
• Manage all Metrc tracking, reporting, and reconciliation
• Ensure compliance with New Jersey cannabis regulations
• Oversee batch creation, transfers, and inventory accuracy
• Coordinate lab testing (potency, terpene, compliance panels)
• Maintain audit-ready documentation at all times

You are fully accountable for compliance accuracy. Errors or discrepancies fall under your ownership.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a 10–15 person production team
• Train, coach, and enforce accountability
• Implement performance tracking and corrective actions
• Build a disciplined, high-output production culture

SOP Development & Process Improvement

• Create and implement SOPs across all production processes
• Continuously refine workflows to improve yield and efficiency
• Standardize systems to support scale and automation

R&D & Product Scale-Up

• Support formulation development and testing
• Transition products from R&D into full-scale production
• Analyze cannabinoid and terpene data to optimize product consistency

Required Experience

• 3+ years in cannabis manufacturing or a regulated production environment
• Strong working knowledge of Metrc compliance
• Experience with inventory management and purchasing systems
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and reporting

Hands-On Experience With

• Nano emulsification
• Futurolla preroll systems
• Truffly Made depositor (gummies)
• Melt-to-make gummy formulations
• Melt-to-make chocolate formulations
• Vape formulation and auto filling systems
• Cart Farmer (or equivalent)
• Decarboxylation (THCA & hash SOPs)
• Hash extraction (solvent and/or solventless)
• Cannabinoid measurement and potency calculations

Software Stack

• Distru (ERP / production / inventory)
• APEX (sales / order management)
• Metrc (compliance tracking)

Performance Metrics (How You Will Be Measured)

• Units produced per day/week
• Cost per unit (labor + materials)
• Fulfillment accuracy (error rate)
• METRC accuracy (zero discrepancies)
• Waste percentage
• On-time order fulfillment

First 90 Days Expectations

• Audit current production systems and identify bottlenecks
• Implement KPI tracking across team and facility
• Improve fulfillment accuracy and eliminate repeat errors
• Stabilize METRC and inventory reconciliation
• Deliver measurable improvement in output and/or cost efficiency

Who Should Apply

This role is for someone who can walk into a production environment, identify inefficiencies immediately, and implement systems that drive measurable results within weeks.

If you have not directly owned production output, compliance, and team accountability in a regulated environment, this role is not a fit.

Why This Role Matters

This position directly impacts:

• Revenue growth
• Cost structure
• Product quality
• Regulatory compliance
• Brand reputation

Strong performance in this role creates a clear path for advancement as the company scales.

Apply

Submit your resume along with a brief summary of your experience in cannabis manufacturing, compliance, and production systems.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: In person