Lab Manager

AWH is a vertically integrated cannabis cultivator, processor, and dispensary operator with assets in Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, and Ohio. We seek to foster a robust and inclusive cannabis organization through providing a premium, unmatched customer-focused retail experience and producing quality and mindfully created cannabis products. Our goal is to build a world class team that will continue our mission of helping to shape the future of cannabis and bettering our customers life with cannabis. How will we achieve this? By offering unrivaled quality, consistency and meticulously curated products that satisfy our customers unique, individual needs.

When it comes to customer service experience, our dispensaries will set a new standard of excellence, emphasizing health and wellness. As a team that is committed to our values, our people, and our communities; we are looking for people who are inspired by our vision and stay dedicated to our mission as we scale continuously.

WHY AWH?

Our people are our greatest asset. Our teams are comprised of a group of skilled and passionate professionals and partners from a diverse range of fields. We believe in not only building a diverse team but creating a space where ALL feel welcome and training our leaders to not only be inclusive themselves but to inspire their teams to be the same. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age or disability. We believe in providing competitive compensation, quality benefits and a work environment that fosters creativity, hard work and leverage every one of our employees' unique skills while giving them what it takes to advance those said skills and learn new ones. We sweat the details to ensure our teams are confident and excited to provide best in class service to our customers and communities we serve.

Overview: Ascend is hiring a Lab Manager for our Athol, MA location. The Lab Manager oversees and manages all technical operations of the lab. This role must utilize their experience in chromatography, microbiological analysis, and other chemical methods. The Lab Manger will work with the management team in establishing and implementing standard operating procedures, selecting staff and developing the lab’s team of qualified employees. All lab operation activities fall under the manager’s duties, which include but are not limited to program results, lab costs, hiring, quality assurance, and project development. The Lab Manager oversees all the tasks necessary to process extractions using various methods, the processing of edibles, cartridges, and other manufactured cannabis products.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee operations of Precision Extract Machinery using fluorocarbons
• Maintain and operate short path and wipe film distillation and extraction equipment
• Responsible for utilizing all required processes while maintaining a clean and sterile workplace
• Responsible for producing distillate, wax, shatter, diamonds, sauce and crumble products
• Work with the team to ensure product integrity through the entire extraction process
• Conform with all regulatory, compliance and safety requirements including wearing protective clothing and gear when handling hazardous chemicals
• Identifying and implementing new technologies and methodologies to improve laboratory workflow, extractions product development and data quality as financially possible
• Ensuring the constant improvement of the team’s knowledge base on lab procedures and extraction methods including safety awareness, knowledge of hazards, OSHA, Food Safety, company standards and quality control
• Ensuring regulatory compliance, including safety, environmental and document control requirements
• Providing technical guidance to the facility with respect to any technical questions or new services
• Analyzing production requirements and work assignments based upon capacity to achieve production schedule and departmental objectives. Promoting an environment of continual improvement and open communication with all levels of staff
• Planning and organizing production schedules and coordinating with operations personnel to identify and address market opportunities and operational weakness

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field – Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry or Life Sciences with 1+ years of experience in a regulated plant extraction or 3+ years of cannabis extraction experience
• Strong scientific background with process validation (SPC-statistical process control) experience.
• A thorough understanding of the fundamentals of CO2 extraction, butane extraction and distillation.
• Technical problem-solving skills in a processing plant environment and of chemical processing equipment, specifically Supercritical Fluid Extraction-SFE) and post processing techniques.
• Strong background in extraction techniques (e.g. SFE) and wet chemistry, along with a research mindset.
• Knowledge of cannabinoids, terpenes, and their medicinal benefits is preferred.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, familiarity with METRC and supplementary tracking software. Record production and test data for each product batch, such as the ingredients used, temperature, test results, and time cycle, and pressures during the extraction process.

Competencies:

• Develop strategies to increase productivity and production with existing methodologies.
• Oversee preparation of equipment and plant material for extractions.
• Assist in company product formulations of various types with specific cannabinoid ratios.
• Calculate input requirements, assemble, and weigh plant materials and supplies.
• QA/QC duties that require analytical testing for quality and consistency and data review.
• Operate extraction and post-processing equipment; process concentrates and extracts.
• Operate, maintain, and make adjustments and repairs to laboratory equipment such as liquid chromatography systems, pumps, balances, centrifuges, and other laboratory equipment.
• Maintain inventory records of supplies, materials, and equipment.
• Store supplies and equipment, dispose of waste according to guidelines, and keep laboratory, storerooms and working areas immaculate.
• Wash and sterilize laboratory glassware.
• Maintain SOPs, training records, and related documentation.
• Maintain material safety data sheets for all department chemicals and products.
• Oversee a clean lab environment and maintain immaculate extraction and laboratory environments adhering to Current Good Laboratory Practice (cGLP) and Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards.
• Maintain strict inventory records and of all plant materials, supplies, and equipment.

Company Competencies:

• Must​ ​be​ ​a​t least ​21​ ​years​ ​of​ ​age
• Must​ ​pass​ ​any​ ​and​ ​all​ ​required​ ​background​ ​checks;
• Must​ ​be​ ​and​ ​remain​ ​compliant​ ​with​ ​any​ ​and​ ​all​ ​regulatory requirements​ ​for​ ​working​ ​in​ ​the cannabis industry
• Must​ be able to ​obtain​ ​and​ ​retain​ ​a​ ​Registered Agent Card issued by the MA Cannabis Control Commission
• Must be able to internalize training and ​follow instructions consistently
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively
• At Ascend, we care about the safety of our patients, customers, Ascenders and vendors. Therefore, AWH requires that all employees be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. If you are offered and accept a position, you will be required to prove your vaccination status prior to when your employment begins. Individuals with religious or medical accommodations may request an exemption.

Physical Demands:

The position must occasionally lift, push, pull and /or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, this position is occasionally required to sit and regularly use hand(s) to handle, grasp, feel, and or touch. This position is regularly required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. This position is required to speak and listen regularly.

EEO STATEMENT: 

Ascend Wellness Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries is an equal opportunity employer and celebrate the population of differences and does not discriminate in its hiring / hiring practices, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.