Director of Packaging & Lean Operations

Green Thumb Industries (GTI); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 160,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Green Thumb Industries (GTI) is seeking a Director, Production Optimization to lead the packaging function across its manufacturing network and own LEAN deployment. This role drives continuous improvement to raise throughput, yield, and quality at every site, with responsibility for production scheduling alignment and cross-functional execution.

The position partners with Packaging Engineering, Procurement, and the Continuous Improvement team to deliver quantified savings, implement standard

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field, or equivalent hands-on manufacturing experience.
• 4+ years of progressive manufacturing ops experience with packaging/high-volume production ownership.
• Proven LEAN / continuous-improvement transformations with quantified, sustained results (OEE, changeover, scrap, throughput).
• Working knowledge of production scheduling, MRP/MPS, and S&OP in regulated/high-mix environments.
• Familiarity with Batch Production Records, SOPs, GMP, and CAPA processes.
• Fluency with ERP/MRP (D365) and project-tracking tools; BI/Reporting knowledge is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own finished goods packaging execution across all sites, ensuring specification, label accuracy, and quality.
• Establish packaging standard work, line-clearance, and changeover routines to maximize units-per-labor-hour while preserving safety and quality.
• Coordinate with Packaging Eng and Procurement on BOM accuracy and inputs to avoid unstarted lines.
• Collaborate with Innovation to introduce new products/formats into production and ensure smooth scale-up.
• Drive OEE and changeover targets in partnership with Packaging Engineering.
• Monitor packaging-material consumption and trigger timely replenishment with procurement and planning teams.
• Support IQ/OQ/PQ activities with the Technical Engineering team.
• Lead cross-functional projects tracked in Smartsheet with clear milestones and accountability.
• Develop packaging leadership and foster a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Align scheduling capacity with master production schedule and S&OP signals.
• Partner with site schedulers to optimize changeovers and flow, improving weeks-of-supply.
• Define data requirements and build reports/dashboards for materials, capacity, and demand visibility.

Skills

LEAN / Six Sigma

Packaging operations

Continuous improvement

Production scheduling

Quality & GMP

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Operations/Manufacturing

Tools

ERP/MRP (D365)

Project tracking tools

BI / reporting tools

Job description

Green Thumb Industries (GTI) is seeking a Director, Production Optimization to lead the packaging function across its manufacturing network and own LEAN deployment. This role drives continuous improvement to raise throughput, yield, and quality at every site, with responsibility for production scheduling alignment and cross-functional execution.

The position partners with Packaging Engineering, Procurement, and the Continuous Improvement team to deliver quantified savings, implement standard