Lab Ops Lead / Inventory & Asset Controller

Position Overview

The Lab Ops Lead / Inventory & Asset Controller is the primary asset custodian for the facility. This role is responsible for the absolute accuracy of physical inventory, METRC compliance, vault and storage security, sample management, and lab documentation. It ensures that no product enters or leaves the facility without proper authorization, maintaining a hard barrier between sales generation and asset release to mitigate risk and prevent unauthorized inventory movement.

This role operates within a controlled structure and is the single point of physical custody approval. It does not own finance, does not independently approve credit, and does not manage fulfillment execution. It coordinates with Sales Ops, Fulfillment, Finance, Compliance, Production, and BOT / ERP as separate, independent functions.

Core Responsibilities

1. Inventory Control & Physical Counts

• Conduct rigorous daily physical inventory counts (raw materials, packaging, and finished goods) and reconcile against ERPNext and METRC.
• Execute cycle counts on high-velocity SKUs.
• Track input weight, output weight, and waste reason for all production runs.
• Maintain strict control over inventory access; ensure independent contractors and production staff adhere to security protocols.
• Report any inventory discrepancies, overages, or shortages immediately to Operations Leadership, Finance, Compliance, and BOT / ERP.

2. Asset Custody & Vault Control

• Maintain physical control over all inventory, samples, vault contents, and WIP.
• Control vault and storage security at all times.
• Verify that no product leaves custody without an approved Sales Order, Finance clearance, Compliance / QA release where applicable, and confirmed ERP / METRC records.
• Prevent unauthorized movement of any product or material under any circumstance.
• Approve inventory reservations for confirmed orders.

3. Stock Release & Fulfillment Coordination

• Confirm physical stock availability upon request from Sales Ops.
• Confirm ERP / METRC stock alignment before authorizing release.
• Approve stock release once Finance clearance and order authorization are confirmed.
• Coordinate with Fulfillment Lead for pick, pack, QC, dispatch, driver handoff, and POD — but does not manage fulfillment execution directly.
• Process immediate returns into inventory and METRC upon receipt.

4. METRC & ERP Data Integrity

• Execute and verify METRC movement records related to physical inventory custody.
• ERPNext is the internal operating system of record. METRC is the regulatory track-and-trace system of record.
• Every physical movement must be reflected in both systems on the same day.
• Coordinate with BOT / ERP for reconciliation dashboards and exception reporting.
• Coordinate with Compliance for regulatory interpretation, manifest requirements, audit readiness, and holds.
• Generate regular operational reports covering inventory levels, movement logs, and asset reconciliation.

5. Sample & Lab Documentation

• Maintain logged sign-outs for all R&D samples, QA samples, and lab testing materials.
• Maintain lab documentation completeness for all production runs and batch records.
• Monitor lab equipment and WIP visibility; flag discrepancies to Production Lead and Wolf (Lab Lead).
• Ensure lab security protocols are enforced and documented.

6. Cash / COD Handoff Control

• The Ops Lead / Inventory & Asset Controller may physically receive COD only under an approved handoff protocol.
• Finance owns cash posting, AR reconciliation, payment entry, deposit control, and final cash accountability.
• All cash received at the facility must be logged, witnessed where practical, secured, and handed off to Finance / authorized cash custodian.
• This role cannot independently approve, reconcile, and deposit the same cash transaction.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in inventory control, warehousing, asset management, or operations.
• Deep proficiency with METRC (or equivalent state seed-to-sale tracking systems) is mandatory.
• Cannabis industry experience strongly preferred; familiarity with Type 6 manufacturing and Type 11 distribution requirements is a plus.
• Experience with ERPNext or equivalent ERP platform.
• High integrity, strong mathematical and reconciliation skills, and the ability to operate independently within a controlled environment.
• Ability to enforce policy across departments without direct authority over those departments.

Pay: $50,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person