Machine Operator I

Renew Cannabis Co.; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 19,286,000 - 28,930,000; Full time

Job summary

Verano Holdings Corp. in Portsmouth, VA is seeking a Machine Operator I to safely operate and maintain production equipment, helping the team meet daily targets. You will own machine performance, perform basic troubleshooting, and keep accurate production records.

You’ll also aid in training newer team members on safe and efficient operation. Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or GED and at least 1 year of machine operating experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; vocational or technical training preferred.
• At least 1 year of machine operating experience in a manufacturing, packaging, or production environment.
• Ability to meet physical demands (lifting, standing, repetitive movement).
• Able to follow written instructions, SOPs, and communicate clearly.
• Willingness to support team goals and help others succeed

Responsibilities

• Operate Production Equipment: Run machines safely and efficiently, ensuring product quality and equipment uptime.
• Own Equipment Performance: Take full responsibility for the performance and condition of your assigned machine(s).
• Achieve Production Goals: Work with the team to meet or exceed daily and shift production targets.
• Support Training & Knowledge Sharing: Assist with onboarding and training of new operators.
• Troubleshoot Minor Issues: Quickly identify minor mechanical issues and escalate when needed.
• Maintain Logs and Documentation: Accurately track production data and downtime.
• Support Sanitation & Maintenance: Complete daily cleaning tasks and report needed repairs.
• Follow All Safety Standards: Wear PPE and follow LOTO procedures

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

SOP compliance

Safety training

Team player

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Job Summary

The Machine Operator I is responsible for safely operating and maintaining assigned production equipment to meet daily production targets. This role supports the team’s success by taking ownership of machine performance, performing basic troubleshooting, and keeping accurate production records. The operator plays an active role in helping achieve output goals and is expected to contribute to continuous improvement, including assisting in training newer team members on safe and efficient machine operation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate Production Equipment: Run machines safely and efficiently, ensuring product quality and equipment uptime. Monitor performance and adjust machine settings as needed to maintain steady operation.
• Own Equipment Performance: Take full responsibility for the performance and condition of your assigned machine(s). Conduct basic checks and cleaning, monitor for issues, and communicate concerns to leads or maintenance promptly.
• Achieve Production Goals: Work with the team to meet or exceed daily and shift production targets. Understand your role’s impact on the line’s overall efficiency, and proactively reduce downtime or delays.
• Support Training & Knowledge Sharing: Assist with onboarding and hands-on training of new or less experienced operators by sharing knowledge of machine operation, safety protocols, cleaning procedures, and shift expectations.
• Troubleshoot Minor Issues: Quickly identify minor mechanical issues, make basic corrections, and escalat problems outside your scope to the supervisor or maintenance team.
• Maintain Logs and Documentation: Accurately track and report production data, including output counts, machine downtime, and any abnormalities during operation.
• Support Sanitation & Maintenance: Complete daily cleaning tasks using appropriate tools (e.g., clean rags, brushes, ISO as needed—no ISO on sensors). Maintain a tidy work area and report needed repairs via Hippo or directly to maintenance when required.
• Follow All Safety Standards: Always wear required PPE. Follow Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures during cleaning or when working on machinery. Help maintain a culture of safety across the department.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; vocational or technical training preferred
• At least 1 year of machine operating experience in a manufacturing, packaging, or production environment
• Ability to meet physical demands (lifting, standing, repetitive movement)
• Mechanical aptitude with a basic understanding of machine operations and troubleshooting
• Able to follow written instructions, SOPs, and communicate clearly
• Willingness to support team goals and help others succeed
• Open to working various shifts, overtime, and weekends as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Production-focused: Consistently aims to hit or exceed output goals
• Ownership mindset: Takes responsibility for the performance and upkeep of assigned machines
• Team player: Supports others and contributes to group success
• Training support: Willing and able to guide and assist new operators
• Detail-oriented: Tracks performance data and watches for small problems before they become big ones
• Strong communicator: Reports clearly and works well with leads, maintenance, and QA
• Safety-first attitude: Follows all safety rules, policies, and procedures without shortcuts

Physical and Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position, move and/or position oneself, communicate, operate and/or prepare, place, position objects, tools, or controls. The employee must occasionally move packages weighing up to 50 lb. Able to stand for 90% of the time. Comfortable with heights, occasionally ascends/descends a ladder to service the lights, filters, trellis netting and ceiling fans up to 25ft. Comfortable working atop and traversing scaffolding, when required. Comfortable with changing environment temperatures and humidity. Exposure to pollen, dust, dander, and other nature elements. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close observation and the ability to adjust focus. The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual, with or without reasonable accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

Working Environment

Work is performed in a warehouse environment. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and the risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We place priority in an environment of inclusion, diversity and social justice and are committed to securing a better, brighter way forward for our employees, our markets, and our communities.

Verano Holdings Corp. (CSE: VRNO) (OTCQX: VRNOF), one of the U.S. cannabis industry’s leading companiesbased on historical revenue, geographic scope and brand performance,isa vertically integrated, multi-state operator embracinga missionof saying Yes to plant progress and the bold exploration of cannabis. Verano offers a superior cannabis shopping experience in medical and adult use markets under the Zen Leaf and MÜV dispensary banners and produces a comprehensive suite of high-quality,regulatedcannabis products sold under its diverse portfolio of trusted consumer brands including Verano, MÜV, Savvy, BITS, Encore, and Avexia. Verano’s active operationsspan 13 U.S. states, comprised of 14 production facilities with over 1,000,000 square feet of cultivation capacity. Learn more at www.verano.com.