Cannabis Extraction Lab Manager

Apical; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Product perks

Health insurance

Paid time off

Employee assistance

Job summary

Phat Panda in Worcester, MA seeks a Cannabis Extraction Lab Manager to lead day‑to‑day lab operations, drive production, ensure testing, maintain records, and train a motivated crew. You will act as a liaison between lab staff and leadership, vendors, and partner departments to ensure alignment and performance.

The role requires 21+ years, a high school diploma or GED, 25 years of operations experience, and strong Microsoft Word/Excel skills, plus excellent communication and problem solving.

Qualifications

• Age: Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Experience: 25 years of administrative or operations experience with progressively greater responsibility.
• Tech Skills: Advanced computer skills, including strong Microsoft Word and Excel, plus comfort with labeling equipment.
• Communication: Clear, professional written and verbal communication with people at every level.
• Precision: A commitment to accurate, on-time work (95%+ accuracy) and the ability to review the work of others.
• Judgment: Sound, timely decision-making and the ability to explain your reasoning.
• Adaptability: Comfort juggling competing priorities and adjusting quickly when plans change.
• Problem Solving: A proactive mindset for spotting issues early and finding practical solutions.
• Math: Confidence with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and unit conversions.

Responsibilities

• Lab Production & Safety: Drive the weekly production plan and ensure runs are completed on time.
• Efficiency & Quality: Optimize workflows to balance efficiency with product quality.
• Equipment Care: Maintain production equipment and ensure logs per manuals.
• Consumables: Track usage and keep inventory stocked.
• Process Knowledge: Understand equipment and methods behind each product.
• Safety First: Foster a safety-focused culture and follow procedures.
• R&D: Contribute to research projects as assigned.
• Team Leadership: Supervise, train, and motivate lab crew.
• Hiring: Assist with interviewing and HR coordination.
• Onboarding: Welcome new hires and coordinate training.
• Payroll: Own payroll for lab staff and coordinate with HR.
• Purchasing: Work with Purchasing on consumables and equipment.
• Incoming Material Testing: Arrange pesticide testing on inputs.
• Product Testing: Manage analytical testing and results reporting.
• QA Sampling: Run QA sampling and summarize results.
• Traceability: Oversee biomass/concentrates tracking.
• Brand Production: Guide production runs based on inventory and forecasts.
• Sales Projections: Prepare weekly sales projections for Director approval.
• Logistics: Schedule inbound/outbound materials and deliveries.

Skills

MS Word

MS Excel

Communication

Precision

Judgment

Adaptability

Problem solving

Math

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Labeling equipment

Job description

Cannabis Extraction Lab Manager Lead the lab. Shape the product. Grow the team.

Position: Cannabis Extraction Lab Manager

Location: Worcester, Massachusetts

Employment Type: Full-Time, Salaried

Compensation: $50,000 $70,000 per year (DOE)

Reports To: Laboratory Director

Age Requirement: 21+

THE OPPORTUNITY

Phat Panda is looking for a hands-on, organized leader to run day-to-day operations in our cannabis extraction lab. As Lab Manager, you'll be the Laboratory Director's right-hand, keeping production on schedule, products testing clean, records airtight, and the crew trained, safe, and motivated. You'll also serve as the go-between for lab staff, leadership, vendors, and partner departments, so strong communication and follow-through are a must.

WHAT YOU'LL OWN

Lab Production & Safety

• Weekly Schedule: Drive the weekly production plan set by the Laboratory Director and make sure every run is completed accurately and on time.
• Efficiency & Quality: Keep workspaces and workflows optimized so extraction output stays efficient without sacrificing product quality.
• Equipment Care: Support routine maintenance of production equipment and confirm all work is performed and logged per manufacturer manuals.
• Consumables: Monitor supply usage and keep manufacturing consumable inventory stocked and accurate.
• Process Knowledge: Maintain a working understanding of the equipment and methods behind every product type the lab produces.
• Safety First: Champion a safety-focused culture and ensure every team member follows established procedures and protective measures.
• R&D: Contribute to research and development projects as assigned.

Team Leadership & People Operations

• Crew Leadership: Supervise, assign tasks to, train, and motivate lab crew members under the Laboratory Director's direction.
• Hiring: Take part in interviewing candidates and partner with HR and the Laboratory Director on hiring, separations, and other personnel actions.
• Onboarding: Welcome new hires with introductions, general lab training, and onboarding steps, and keep the Director and Leads informed.
• Payroll: Own payroll for lab employees and coordinate with HR on lab-related personnel matters.
• Purchasing: Work with Purchasing and Maintenance on lab consumables and one-off equipment or supply requests.

Quality Control & Compliance Testing

• Incoming Material Testing: Arrange pesticide testing on all incoming material.
• Product Testing: Manage analytical testing for every product headed to market, from lab pickup and sample submission to receiving, cataloging, and reporting results.
• QA Sampling: Run ongoing quality assurance sampling and testing, and deliver written results summaries to the Laboratory Director.
• Traceability: Oversee tracking and recordkeeping for all biomass and concentrates at every stage of processing.

Planning & Cross-Team Coordination

• Brand Production: Guide production runs for each brand based on inventory levels and sales forecasts.
• Sales Projections: Oversee finished-product brand classification and prepare weekly sales projections for Director approval before they go to Sales.
• Logistics: Schedule inbound and outbound materials with the Driver Manager, and coordinate deliveries with the Security and Biomass teams.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Age: Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Education: High school diploma or GED.
• Experience: 25 years of administrative or operations experience with progressively greater responsibility.
• Tech Skills: Advanced computer skills, including strong Microsoft Word and Excel, plus comfort with labeling equipment.
• Communication: Clear, professional written and verbal communication with people at every level.
• Precision: A commitment to accurate, on-time work (95%+ accuracy) and the ability to review the work of others.
• Judgment: Sound, timely decision-making and the ability to explain your reasoning.
• Adaptability: Comfort juggling competing priorities and adjusting quickly when plans change.
• Problem Solving: A proactive mindset for spotting issues early and finding practical solutions.
• Math: Confidence with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and unit conversions.

WHY PHAT PANDA?

Since 2014, Phat Panda has grown into a multi-state cannabis leader with operations in Washington, California, and Massachusetts. We take pride in quality products, sustainable sourcing, and showing up for our communities, and we take care of the people who make it all happen.

Monthly Product Perks:

• Hundreds of dollars in Phat Panda product every month.
• Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, accident, and life coverage for full-time employees.
• Paid Time Off: 40 hours of PTO added to your balance at six months.
• Employee Assistance Program: 24/7 access to confidential counseling and support.
• Consistent Schedules: Predictable week-to-week schedules that support your life outside work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is an active, hands-on role in a working extraction lab. Reasonable accommodations are available to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical: Sit or stand for up to 8 hours performing repetitive hand tasks; walk, twist, reach, push/pull, and lift or carry up to 50 lbs; occasionally climb, stoop, crouch, or crawl.

Vision & Senses: See clearly at 20+ feet (with or without correction), distinguish colors, and occasionally use taste or smell.

Conditions: Exposure to wet or humid areas, bright lighting, high heat, and moderate noise.

Hazards: Occasional work at heights or on ladders; possible exposure to dust, fumes, vapors, mists, and some toxic or caustic chemicals.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Phat Panda (Grow Op Farms) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

In accordance with the Washington Fair Chance Act, we will not inquire about or consider criminal history until after an applicant has been determined otherwise qualified for the position.

Consistent with Washington SB 5123, we do not discriminate in hiring based on lawful off-duty cannabis use or on pre-employment drug screens that detect non-psychoactive cannabis metabolites.

All candidates must meet applicable state cannabis regulatory requirements.