Cannabis Extraction Lab Lead — Hydrocarbon Ops & SOPs

FlowerHire; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

FlowerHire is seeking an experienced Lab Manager to lead day-to-day operations in a cannabis extraction and manufacturing facility. This hands-on leadership role oversees a small extraction team, focusing on hydrocarbon extraction, product quality, production efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance.

The role requires guiding the full extraction workflow from biomass preparation to post-processing, developing SOPs, training staff, and driving consistent production results on the shop floor.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional cannabis extraction experience, with significant hands-on hydrocarbon extraction experience.
• Proven experience working with hydrocarbon extraction systems in a commercial cannabis environment.
• Strong understanding of extraction, solvent recovery, filtration, post-processing, and concentrate production.
• Previous experience supervising or leading a small production/extraction team.
• Strong understanding of laboratory and manufacturing safety practices.
• Experience working within a regulated cannabis environment and maintaining compliant documentation.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment and identify process issues independently.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.
• Comfortable working in a hands-on production environment.
• Ability to train, coach, and hold team members accountable.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily cannabis extraction operations with a primary focus on hydrocarbon extraction.
• Operate, monitor, and troubleshoot hydrocarbon extraction equipment and associated systems.
• Oversee biomass preparation, extraction, filtration, solvent recovery, post-processing, and material handling.
• Optimize extraction processes for yield, potency, consistency, throughput, and product quality.
• Identify production bottlenecks and implement process improvements.
• Maintain accurate production records, batch documentation, and material tracking.
• Coordinate production schedules to ensure extraction targets are consistently achieved.
• Work closely with manufacturing and production leadership to support downstream products, including concentrates, vape products, and other cannabis-derived products.
• Supervise and develop a small team of extraction technicians.
• Establish daily priorities, production goals, and workflow expectations.
• Train employees on equipment operation, SOPs, safety procedures, and quality standards.
• Monitor team performance and provide coaching and feedback.
• Maintain a culture of accountability, cleanliness, safety, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Hydrocarbon extraction

Team leadership

SOP development

Safety compliance

Documentation

Training & coaching

Troubleshooting equipment

Regulatory compliance

Process optimization

On-floor operations

Education

Technical degree or chemistry background

Tools

Hydrocarbon extraction equipment

Solvent recovery systems

Post-processing equipment

Metrc (seed-to-sale)

Job description

FlowerHire is seeking an experienced Lab Manager to lead day-to-day operations in a cannabis extraction and manufacturing facility. This hands-on leadership role oversees a small extraction team, focusing on hydrocarbon extraction, product quality, production efficiency, safety, and regulatory compliance.

The role requires guiding the full extraction workflow from biomass preparation to post-processing, developing SOPs, training staff, and driving consistent production results on the shop floor.