Lead Budtender

Ayr Wellness; Port Reading (NJ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lead Budtender at Ayr Wellness in New Jersey leads the dispensary team by modeling excellence in service, training, and compliance. You will drive sales and customer experience initiatives while ensuring accurate order fulfillment and adherence to state policies.

We seek a process‑oriented professional with a track record of continuous improvement, capable of mentoring staff, managing inventory, and delivering a superior cannabis shopping experience to patients and customers.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of customer service in a fast-paced retail environment.
• Pass all background checks as required by state cannabis regulations.
• Accommodate scheduling that may include varied shifts, weekends and holidays.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Communicate effectively with customers, caregivers, and team members.

Responsibilities

• Provides knowledge, guidance, and a personalized experience to each customer by explaining potential benefits of Premium Cannabis products.
• Ensures customer questions or concerns are resolved quickly and completely and communicates unresolved concerns to management.
• Accountable for accurately receiving, coordinating, and fulfilling customer orders using the POS and inventory tracking systems in compliance with policies.
• Adapts to varied sales volume, maintains a customer-first mindset, and assists in keeping the dispensary stocked and clean.
• Meets/exceeds day-to-day sales targets within each dispensary and follows the customer experience selling cycle.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Relationship building

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

POS system

Inventory management system

Job description

Job Summary

The Lead Budtender is responsible for leading the dispensary team by setting personal examples that continuously improve all quality, training, and customer experience programs. This position is accountable for executing initiatives that facilitate the achievement of all sales and customer experience goals. The ideal candidate is a business process-oriented professional with demonstrated success in implementing continuous improvements that enhance efficiency and customer experience.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides knowledge, expertise, guidance, and a personalized experience to each customer by explaining potential benefits of the Premium Cannabis products offered.
• Ensures customer questions or concerns are resolved quickly and completely and communicates any unresolved concerns to management immediately.
• Accountable for accurately receiving, coordinating, and fulfilling customer orders using the Point of Sale (POS) and inventory tracking systems in compliance with company, local, and state policies.
• Adapts to varied sales volume, stays active, initiates continued learning activities, creates an engaging environment, and assists in keeping the dispensary properly stocked, clean, tidy and in operating order while maintaining a “Customer first” mindset.
• Meets/exceeds day-to-day sales metrics by following the customer experience selling cycle with tailored product suggestions and meeting individual and team sales targets within each dispensary.
• Assists management staff in ensuring all procedures are followed to reflect regulatory and compliance standards.
• Fosters a positive work environment, treating everyone with dignity and respect, while perpetuating a curiosity for “everything cannabis.”
• Performs other duties as assigned by Management staff.
• Maintains the appearance of the store by ensuring all areas, including restrooms, are consistently clean, safe, and guest-ready.

Qualifications

• Stay current and adhere to all policies and regulations of the state cannabis agency.
• Meet age requirement as outlined by state cannabis agency.
• Pass all background checks as required by state cannabis agency.
• Accommodate scheduling that may include varied shifts, weekends and holidays.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
• Communicate effectively with customers, caregivers, and team members.
• Prior customer service experience in hospitality, pharmacy, customer services or retail environment.

Education

High School Diploma or GED required.

Experience

• Minimum 21 years of age (or as required by state regulations).
• Minimum 2 years of experience with customer service in a fast‑paced retail environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Customer Obsessed AYR: Dedicated to creating a remarkable experience for both internal and external customers; builds rapport and maintains meaningful relationships, authentic communication, and proactive feedback. Relationship Building: Viewed as a truthful individual who shares constructive feedback respectfully; listens, learns, acts with compassion, and encourages continuous improvement. Functional/Technical skill: Possesses knowledge and skills to perform at a high level and understands how the role supports organizational success.

Working Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in a dispensary setting, which may be odorous at times and loud due to fans and filtration systems, fluctuating between cold and warm temperatures.
• Involves frequent contact with staff, vendors, and customers; may include dealing with law enforcement and occasional State inspectors.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently communicates with customers and/or caregivers regarding medical conditions and product offerings.
• Frequently operates computer/POS system and standard office equipment such as printers, phones, and photocopy machines.
• Remains in a stationary position when checking in customers or operating the register.
• Constantly moves and transports dispensary products/totes up to 30 lbs throughout the dispensary.
• Ability to twist, turn, bend, stand and walk as required to perform duties associated with the role.

AYR Wellness is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.