Operations Manager

Green Thumb Industries (GTI); Cottage Grove (MN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Green Thumb Industries (GTI) in Cottage Grove, MN seeks an experienced Operations Manager to lead the production team. You’ll coordinate with on‑the‑ground leadership to direct daily processes, safety, compliance, efficiency, and culture, while developing a multilevel professional team and aligning with GTI headquarters.

The role is hands‑on on the plant floor, driving performance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Business preferred.
• 5+ years manufacturing management experience for 30+ staff.
• Experience with Lean Six Sigma; certifications a plus.
• Exposure to cannabis industry regulations is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all strategic planning and vision for facility plant operations for processing, packaging, maintenance, quality and logistics/fulfillment.
• Manage all facility activities with departmental managers to meet wholesale objectives on time and budget.
• Partner with General Manager on budgeting and data analysis to improve quality and efficiency and plan capital expenditures.
• Develop and produce reporting to illustrate business trends.
• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency and engagement.
• Establish rules, regulations, policies, and procedures aligned with GTI’s mission.
• Continuously improve skills and morale of all employees on the plant floor.
• Implement and maintain maintenance programs; adjust plant facilities and equipment as needed.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal billing or licensing requirements.
• Be on‑call for emergencies and scheduling issues as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

5+ years management

Lean Six Sigma

People leadership

Budgeting & cost control

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Business

Job description

The Role GTI is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead our production team. As Operations Manager, you’ll coordinate with on the ground leadership to direct all the daily processes and long-term targets of our production facility in Cottage Grove, MN. You’ll grind away at the details of managing internal resources to maximize safety, compliance, efficiency, productivity and culture. You’ll also blaze the path toward creating and developing the multilevel professional team, and you’ll work closely with the management team to keep every detail of the facility up to snuff. You will be the one to ensure product quality standards are maintained, complete and accurate orders are processed and delivered, and inventory integrity is maintained. The operational duties are mostly hands‑on and direct in nature and require substantial time be spent on the plant floor working closely and directly with all production employees. A strong leader knows that success is always a joint effort, and the Operations Manager will also excel at working with leadership from GTI Headquarters to help make sure GTI is smoking the competition at every level.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all strategic planning and vision for facility plant operations for processing, packaging, maintenance, quality and logistics/fulfillment
• Manager all facility activities working closely with departmental managers ensuring wholesale objectives are accomplished on time and budget
• Partner with facility General Manager on budgeting; analysis of facility data, including efficiency metrics, labor variance analysis, defect rates, cost drivers, volume and capacity planning, etc. to make recommendations on optimal quality and efficiency improvements and capital expenditures
• Develop and produce reporting to clearly illustrate the trends of the business
• Manage and maintain a company culture consistent with the culture established at GTI corporate of accountability, transparency and enjoyment
• Participate in developing and implementing rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to advance GTI’s mission, vision, goals and objectives
• Continuously improve the skills, knowledge and morale of all employees; create an environment where the entire team does the same
• Implement and maintain wholesale facility and equipment preventative maintenance program; replace, or make adjustments to plant facilities and equipment when necessary
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal billing or licensing requirements
• Will be required to be on‑call and to respond to emergency situations at any time, including scheduling issues, potentially covering a vacant shift, facility issues and/or human resources requirements
• Other duties as assigned

Working Conditions

• Work involves daily exposure to allergens (such as cannabis, tree nuts, and coconut oil)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Business, preferred
• 5+ years of management experience in manufacturing environment; direct management of 30+ individuals in a manufacturing setting required
• Consumer Packaged Goods experience preferred
• In-depth knowledge & understanding of Lean, Six Sigma; certifications a plus
• Exposure to horticulture and/or plant science and/or lab processing, a plus
• Can‑do attitude and ability to adapt quickly; business is experiencing tremendous growth so previous operational experience in a growth environment is substantially preferred
• Adapts and thrives in a demanding, start‑up, fast‑paced environment
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills (verbal, non‑verbal, written), with the ability to build relationships at all levels, both internally and externally
• Possesses a high level of critical thinking
• Operates with a high level of professionalism and integrity, including dealing with confidential information
• Must understand and comply with the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of GTI
• Must have a solid understanding of the Medical Marijuana laws, rules and regulations set forth by the state; a pursuit to further their understanding and knowledge of the industry and the laws

Additional Requirements

• Must pass any and all required background checks
• Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry

The pay range is competitive and based on experience, qualifications, and/or location of the role. Positions may be eligible for a discretionary annual incentive program driven by organization and individual performance.

Green Thumb Pay Range

$100,000—$140,000 USD