LEAD Cannabis Budtender - Full Time

Buds Goods & Provisions Corp.; Watertown (MA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Bud's Goods & Provisions is seeking a Lead Sales Associate to serve guests, handle cannabis transactions and support the sales floor. The role emphasizes peer leadership without supervisory authority, ensuring accurate cash handling and strong product knowledge.

The position requires a high school diploma and 2+ years of experience in retail or customer-facing fields, with cannabis industry familiarity preferred. Ability to stand, lift up to 50 lbs, and work nights/weekends is expected.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Two+ years of work experience required.
• Retail, hospitality or customer-facing experience preferred.
• Cannabis industry experience preferred.
• Strong cash-handling experience preferred.
• Experience with POS systems preferred.
• Demonstrated reliability, product knowledge & guest-service performance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Spend majority of shift serving guests and executing sales duties.
• Guide guests through retail experience and cannabis sales transactions.
• Provide knowledgeable, hospitality-driven service.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of cannabis products, brands, methods and storage.
• Answer guest questions within training and regulatory scope.
• Create an engaging, welcoming and efficient sales experience.
• Build guest trust and loyalty through consistent service.
• Maintain awareness of promotions, menu offerings and company initiatives.
• Help maintain efficient guest flow during high-volume periods.
• Accurately make change and maintain cash till.
• Maintain a clean, organized sales floor.
• Serve as an experienced peer resource for Sales Associates.
• Model company standards and procedures; assist peers with questions.
• Escalate performance or policy concerns to Retail Management.
• Communicate information from management to the team.
• Troubleshoot minor POS or technology issues and escalate unresolved concerns.
• Maintain accurate cash handling and follow cash-control procedures.

Skills

Guest service

Cannabis knowledge

Sales etiquette

Cash handling

Attention to detail

Task prioritization

Interpersonal skills

Peer resource (non-supervisory)

Problem solving

Guest connection

Math skills

POS proficiency

Microsoft Office

Tech troubleshooting

Curiosity to learn

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

POS systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

THE ROLE

The Lead Sales Associate is first & foremost a guest-facing Sales Associate, spending the substantial majority of each shift directly serving guests, completing sales transactions & supporting the sales floor.

This role recognizes experienced, high-performing Sales Associates who can serve as a peer resource for the team, while continuing to perform the same core guest-service & sales responsibilities as other Sales Associates. Lead Sales Associates may help with opening & closing tasks, transaction verification, product knowledge & operational communication as directed by Retail Management - they help keep the shift organized by communicating information & supporting their peers, but do not supervise or manage employees.

Any employee-performance, conduct, scheduling, policy or other managerial concern must be escalated to a Shift Supervisor, Assistant Retail Manager or Retail General Manager. Being an experienced peer resource, or assisting another Sales Associate, does not give the Lead Sales Associate supervisory or managerial authority.

CORE COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

You bring:

• Exceptional guest service & hospitality skills
• Advanced cannabis & product knowledge
• Strong sales etiquette with a guest-centered approach
• Consistent cash-handling & transaction accuracy
• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Strong interpersonal & communication skills
• Ability to positively support & guide peers without exercising supervisory authority
• A solution-focused mindset & strong personal accountability
• Ability to connect with a diverse guest population
• Strong math skills & ability to think on your feet
• Proficiency with point-of-sale systems & company technology
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Ability to troubleshoot minor technology or POS issues
• Curiosity & willingness to learn new technology, systems & tools

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

• High school diploma or equivalent - required
• Two or more years of work experience - required
• Retail, hospitality or customer-facing experience - preferred
• Cannabis industry experience - preferred
• Strong cash-handling experience - preferred
• Experience with POS systems - preferred
• Demonstrated reliability, product knowledge & guest-service performance - preferred

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

SALES & GUEST EXPERIENCE

• Spend the substantial majority of each shift directly serving guests & performing Sales Associate duties
• Guide guests through the retail experience & complete cannabis sales transactions
• Provide knowledgeable, professional & hospitality-driven service
• Maintain advanced knowledge of cannabis products, brands, consumption methods & storage requirements
• Answer guest questions within the scope of Company training & applicable regulations
• Create an engaging, welcoming & efficient sales experience
• Build guest trust & loyalty through consistent service
• Maintain awareness of promotions, menu offerings & Company initiatives
• Help maintain efficient guest flow during high-volume periods
• Accurately make change & maintain an assigned cash till
• Maintain a clean, organized & guest-ready sales floor

PEER LEADERSHIP & TEAM SUPPORT

• Serve as an experienced peer resource for Sales Associates
• Model Company standards, policies, hospitality expectations & proper procedures
• Answer routine procedural or product questions from peers based on established Company guidance
• Help newer Sales Associates understand established processes & expectations
• Communicate information & directions provided by Retail Management to the team
• Help reinforce training previously provided by management
• Identify questions, concerns or performance issues & escalare them to Retail Management
• Support a collaborative, respectful & positive team environment
• Understand that these peer-leadership responsibilities do not include supervisory or managerial authority over other employees

TRANSACTION & OPERATIONAL SUPPORT

• Review transactions for product, quantity & charge accuracy as assigned
• Verify online-order accuracy before guest pickup as assigned
• Maintain proficiency in the Company's point-of-sale system
• Support routine opening or closing tasks as assigned by management
• Perform key-holder responsibilities when authorized, provided those responsibilities do not involve supervising employees
• Troubleshoot minor POS or technology issues & escalate unresolved concerns
• Maintain accurate cash handling & follow all Company cash-control procedures
• Communicate cash needs or discrepancies promptly to Retail Management
• Perform additional non-managerial operational tasks as assigned

INVENTORY & COMPLIANCE

• Dispense cannabis & cannabis products in strict accordance with applicable regulations & Company procedures
• Maintain working knowledge of METRC & required POS processes
• Maintain awareness of inventory levels on the sales floor
• Communicate product needs to Inventory or Retail Management
• Maintain accuracy of assigned inventory & immediately report discrepancies
• Help prevent sales to minors, theft & diversion
• Follow all Company policies, Standard Operating Procedures & regulatory requirements
• Immediately escalation compliance or security concerns to management

TECHNOLOGY & AI

• Use company-approved technology & AI tools to support learning, organization, communication & day-to-day productivity
• Use approved AI tools to help organize information, improve routine written communications or better understand Company-approved materials when appropriate
• Use Company systems & technology accurately when completing sales, inventory & operational responsibilities
• Demonstrate curiosity & adaptability as new technology & systems are introduced
• Review all AI-generated information for accuracy before relying on or using it
• Never enter confidential employee, guest, Company or regulated information into an AI tool unless specifically authorized by Company policy
• Understand that AI & technology may support the role but do not replace Company training, established procedures, management direction or independent judgment

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE

A successful Lead Sales Associate consistently:

• Provides an outstanding guest experience
• Spends the substantial majority of working time directly supporting guests & sales
• Maintains strong transaction, cash & inventory accuracy
• Demonstrates advanced product knowledge
• Serves as a reliable & positive peer resource
• Models Company expectations without assuming managerial authority
• Identifies concerns & escalates them appropriately
• Maintains regulatory compliance
• Uses technology responsibly to improve individual effectiveness
• Demonstrates readiness for additional responsibility while remaining within the defined scope of the Lead role

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass all required background checks
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must remain eligible for state-required cannabis industry badging
• Must maintain all required licenses, certifications & trainings
• Must remain compliant with Company policies & applicable cannabis regulations
• Must remain available to work nights, weekends & holidays as required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Able to stand & move throughout the store for extended periods
• Able to lift & move up to 50 lbs
• Able to bend, reach, crouch & move safely throughout the facility
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-volume retail environment
• Able to perform repetitive POS, cash-handling & inventory-related tasks

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position operates primarily on the retail sales floor in a fast-paced, high-volume cannabis environment, with frequent direct interaction with guests, cannabis products, cash, technology systems & other team members.

The Lead Sales Associate is a guest-facing, non-supervisory position & is eligible to receive tips in accordance with applicable law & Company policy.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bud's Goods & Provisions is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace free from discrimination, harassment & retaliation.

#ENGHP