Cannabis Lab & Extraction Manager

Cannabis Processing Lab Manager

At Vireo Health, we're not just another cannabis companywe're a movement. Founded by physicians and driven by innovation, we blend science, technology, and passion to create top-tier cannabis products and experiences. Our team of 500+ bold creators and trailblazers are shaping the future of the industry, and we want you to be part of it. We take pride in being one of the most diverse and inclusive workplaces in cannabis, fostering a culture where everyone belongs. Through employee engagement, community events, and non-profit partnerships, we're building more than a businesswe're building a community. As we rapidly expand nationwide, we're looking for talented, driven, and passionate people to join us. If you're ready to turn your passion into a career, let's grow the future together.

We are seeking an experienced, technically strong, and hands-on leader to manage our cannabis processing lab. The ideal candidate is a working manager who is equally comfortable on the floor running extraction and distillation as they are leading a team, owning SOPs, and partnering across the business.

The Lab Manager oversees all processing operations, including ethanol extraction, winterization, decarboxylation, wiped film and short path distillation, and the formulation and production of finished goods such as vape carts, edibles, tablets, tinctures, and oral solutions. This role owns the safety, quality, throughput, and compliance of the lab, including SOP development, batch record integrity, equipment uptime, and adherence to state cannabis regulations. The Lab Manager leads, trains, and develops a team of lab technicians and partners closely with QA, Cultivation, and Operations. This position reports directly to the Operations Manager.

Manage day-to-day lab operations, including scheduling, staffing, and workflow across extraction, distillation, formulation, and kitchen teams.

Oversee ethanol extraction operations, including solvent recovery, winterization, and filtration, ensuring yield, quality, and safety targets are consistently met.

Direct distillation processes using wiped film and short path systems to produce high-purity distillate that meets product specifications.

Lead formulation development and execution for finished goods, including vape carts, edibles, tablets, tinctures, balms, and oral solutions.

Develop, validate, and maintain SOPs for all extraction, distillation, and formulation processes, ensuring consistency, repeatability, and regulatory compliance.

Maintain accurate batch records, equipment logs, and inventory of solvents, raw materials, and finished intermediates in compliance with state cannabis regulations and seed-to-sale tracking requirements.

Manage preventive maintenance, calibration, and qualification of lab equipment, including extractors, rotary evaporators, wiped film and short path units, homogenizers, and filling equipment.

Ensure lab safety, including ethanol handling, C1D2 compliance, PPE use, and emergency response readiness.

Train, mentor, and evaluate lab technicians. Build technical depth across the team and drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Identify and implement process improvements to increase yield, reduce cycle time, and lower cost per unit across the lab.

Other duties as assigned.

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related scientific field; advanced degree preferred. Equivalent professional experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.

3+ years of hands-on experience in cannabis, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, or food-grade extraction and manufacturing, with at least 1 year in a lab leadership role.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel, is required.

Demonstrated expertise in ethanol extraction and downstream processing (winterization, decarboxylation, solvent recovery).

Hands-on operating experience with wiped film and short path distillation systems; able to troubleshoot, optimize, and validate runs.

Strong formulation experience across multiple product formats, including vape carts, edibles, tablets, tinctures, and oral solutions.

Proven ability to author and maintain SOPs, batch records, and validation protocols.

Strong understanding of analytical methods and how to interpret COAs to make production decisions.

Experience with seed-to-sale systems (METRC) preferred.

Demonstrated leadership: hiring, training, performance management, and developing technical talent.

Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to coordinate effectively across teams.

Excellent attention to detail and a continuous improvement mindset focused on safety, quality, execution, and teamwork.

Must be 21+ and able to pass a state-required background check for cannabis industry employment.

Compensation: $80,000-85,000 annually depending on experience

Relocation may be considered on a case by case basis depending on experience level

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance on the first of the month after you begin employment

Competitive additional benefits including HSA, FSA, Dependable Care, EAP services, etc.

11 Days of accrued PTO in addition to 2 Wellness Days & Volunteer Hours that will increase with tenure

401k program with an employer match after six months of employment

Life's too short to work somewhere that doesn't ignite your passion. The cannabis industry is fast-paced, innovative, and full of opportunitywhere science meets creativity, and wellness meets culture. At Vireo Health, we're pioneering the future of cannabis with a team that's as dynamic as the industry itself. Here, you'll find a workplace that's collaborative, inclusive, and driven by HEART and purpose, where your work has a real impact on people's lives. Whether you're cultivating the highest-quality plants, crafting cutting-edge products, or shaping unforgettable customer experiences, you'll be part of something bigger. If you're looking for a career that's exciting, meaningful, and full of growth, let's build the future of cannabis together.

Work at the leading tech company in the cannabis industry and help shape the future

Join a team that truly cares about the plant, the people, and the purpose behind what we do

Enjoy competitive pay and benefits, paid time off and employee discounts

We're committed to education, sustainability, and giving back to the communities we serve.

EEO Statement Vireo Health, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.