Extraction Manager
Puyallup Tribal Cannabis Enterprise · Tacoma, WA, USA
The Extraction Manager (XM) owns the Prismatic Brands bulk extract program from raw material to finished extract. The XM is a hands-on role responsible for both managing and producing all bulk cannabis extract, using automated, semi-automated, and manually operated equipment. The XM is expected to learn, operate, and maintain all equipment in the extraction process flow.
Beyond production, the XM manages extraction services for outside producers and processors (including invoicing), manages extraction inventory, communicates batch status to internal teams and external customers, and builds a multi-week extraction plan that integrates with the company supply and demand schedule.
The XM assists in sourcing cannabis flower for extraction (including visiting farms and negotiating purchase terms), is responsible for maintaining high product quality standards, and shares responsibility with the VP of Processing for the overall quality and cost of finished extract.
The XM reports directly to the VP of Processing and will hire, train, and supervise Extraction Technicians as the department grows.
Responsibilities:
Extraction Production
- Produce all bulk extract for Prismatic Brands, following standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Master Batch Records (MBRs).
- Prepare cannabis materials for extraction.
- Operate extraction and post-processing equipment.
- Handle and package bulk extracts for storage, sale, or finished goods.
- Remove and compost spent materials.
- Prepare and send samples for lab testing and enter QC results into the traceability system.
- Track yields, run times, and quality results, and use that data to improve the process.
Equipment
- Learn, operate, and maintain all equipment in the extraction process flows.
- Own the preventive maintenance schedule, equipment setup, troubleshooting, and repairs.
- Coordinate with equipment vendors and service technicians as needed.
- Support equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) and keep equipment documentation current.
- Deep clean equipment and workspaces and keep work areas clean and organized.
Processing Services
- Manage extraction services for outside producer/processors, from material intake through delivery.
- Communicate batch status, timelines, and yields to external customers.
- Prepare and send invoices for processing services and track them to payment.
- Coordinate material transfers and documentation for client batches.
Quality
- Source and produce to internal product specifications.
- Help qualify vendors for cannabis raw materials, as well as equipment, consumables, and services.
- Manage sending samples to QC labs for compliance testing, including checking, managing and entering results.
- Work on quality improvement initiatives and perform root cause analysis when issues arise.
Inventory and Planning
- Receive and manage all extraction inventory, including frozen cannabis, work in process, finished extract, solvents, and consumables.
- Properly account for all inventory consumed and created.
- Use computer software and systems (MRPeasy, Cultivera, Trello, others) to accurately capture manufacturing data.
- Integrate with the supply and demand schedule to build and run a multi-week extraction plan.
- Create, release, and execute extraction Production Tickets (Manufacturing Orders).
- Communicate batch status, inventory levels, and schedule changes to internal teams.
Sourcing and Cost
- Assist in sourcing cannabis flower for extraction, including visiting farms, evaluating material and auditing farm practices.
- Assist in negotiating price and terms with growers and suppliers.
- Share responsibility with the VP of Processing for the cost of finished extract; track input cost, yield, labor, and consumables, and identify ways to reduce cost.
Leadership
- Maintain a safe workspace.
- Hire, train, and supervise Extraction Technicians as the department grows.
- Write and maintain SOPs and training materials so the process is repeatable.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives.
- Work with the VP of Processing to explore and implement process improvements, R&D initiatives, and new product development.
Minimum Requirements:
- Five (5) years of cannabis industry experience.
- Seven (7) years of management experience, including at least three (3) years of managing people.
- Experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting cannabis extraction equipment.
- Experience managing inventory and using traceability and/or MRP software.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including with outside customers.
- Ability to plan and manage multiple batches and priorities at once.
- Computer skills including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google products.
- Ability to lift and transport 50 lbs.
- Reliable, and always on time.
- Ability to accurately document work output.
- High-school degree or equivalent required. A bachelor's degree is not required.
- Applicant must be at least 21 years of age and pass a background check.
- Understanding of cannabis processing, extraction, and packaging operations.
The Ideal Candidate will:
- Have hydrocarbon cannabis extraction experience.
- Have experience running toll processing or processing services for outside clients.
- Have experience sourcing cannabis flower, building grower relationships, and negotiating price.
- Have experience with production costing and margin tracking.
- Have strong mechanical aptitude, including experience using tools to maintain, build, or service equipment.
- Have experience working in a hazardous environment where flammable liquids, solvents, and pressurized vessels are used.
- Have experience with GMP practices, SOPs, MBRs, and equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ).
- Have familiarity with lean manufacturing.
- Be very detail oriented when it comes to weighing, measuring, and recording data.
- Take ownership of the quality, cost, and on-time delivery of the extract produced.
- Have passion and take pride and ownership of their work in making exceptional cannabis extract products.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Requires the ability to periodically lift, push and pull up to 50 pounds, stand, walk, kneel, bend, and reach.
- Requires the ability to operate a personal computer, manufacturing equipment, etc.
- Requires the ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English.
- Requires the ability to concentrate and consistently produce accurate work.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
- The employee is required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
- The employee must be willing and able to work in a freezer as cold as -40 degrees F while wearing an insulated suit.
- Occasional regional travel to visit partner farms.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The noise level is high.
- The physical exertion is high.
- Work is performed in a manufacturing environment, including a hazardous location where flammable solvents and pressurized vessels are used, and may require use of personal protection equipment to limit exposure to chemicals or other hazards such as gloves, safety glasses, respirators, etc.
The Puyallup Tribal Cannabis Enterp