Post Harvest Associate

Vangst; Cottage Grove (MN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Vangst is seeking a Post Harvest Technician in Minnesota to breakdown dried cannabis plants into required formats for processing or flower sales. The role emphasizes safety, precision, and compliance in a highly regulated environment.

Responsibilities include dexterous post-harvest tasks, shucking, sorting, trimming, and maintaining clean work areas. Candidates should have an associate degree or certifications; cannabis experience is not required.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or Certifications preferred.
• Effective time-management skills and ability to multi-task.
• Ability to work well with others while also completing individually assigned tasks.
• Prior cannabis experience not required.

Responsibilities

• Perform the physical post harvest breakdown of cannabis plants with precision.
• Shucking, sorting, trimming and other post-harvest activities to meet metrics.
• Maintain clean, organized work environment and follow SOPs.
• Support quality initiatives and report anomalies in plants.
• Record keeping and equipment maintenance as directed.
• Follow GMP, biosecurity, sanitation, and safety requirements.

Skills

Time management

Multi-tasking

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Associate's degree or certifications

Job description

Role

This Post Harvest Technician will be responsible for post harvest breaking down the dried cannabis plant into the required formats for processing or flower sales, which supports the post-cultivation activities. Cannabis is a heavily regulated industry; therefore, all employees are required to follow safety and compliance regulations.

Essential Functions

• Perform the physical post harvest breakdown of the cannabis plant; must be able to use dexterity, coordination, and precision to perform tasks that require manual manipulation to break down the plants.
• Ensure efficient post-harvest processes; shucking (removal of flower), sorting, trimming, and other activities.
• Ability to meet daily production metrics.
• Must maintain quality standards, follow visual work instructions, and support flower quality improvement initiatives.
• Organizes and maintains a clean and organized work environment.
• Participates in the room set-up and break-down and contributes to the clean-up process of area and equipment.
• Follow department specific work instructions and SOP's.
• Ability to recognize different strains and identify anomalies within the plants.
• Strong attention to detail, effective time-management skills, and ability to work in a highly regulated environment.
• Safety & Compliance
• Be aware of hazards in the workspace.
• Retain and understand department specific training.
• Report safety incidents/ concerns and comply with follow-up actions.
• Be compliant with area safety requirements, state regulations and PPE requirements.
• Follow GMP, biosecurity, sanitation or other quality and compliance requirements.
• Perform record keeping accurately and completely as directed by a lead or supervisor.
• Maintain and calibrate tools, equipment and machinery as directed by a lead or supervisor.
• Report and elevate safety & quality concerns.

Working Conditions

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to perform reaching, grasping, bending, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to repetitively climb ladders and/or stairs and work from elevated platforms.
• Must be able to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time while maintaining focus.
• Must be able to lift, carry, and balance up to 50 pounds (and up to 100 pounds with assistance) AND must be able to do so with extreme care and caution when working with product.
• Must be able to work in an environment that is 85+ degrees and 70% humidity for extended periods.
• Must be able to work at heights.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing, and challenging environment
• Work involves daily exposure to allergens (such as cannabis, tree nuts, and coconut oil).

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or Certifications preferred
• Effective time-management skills and ability to multi-task
• Ability to work well with others while also completing individually assigned tasks.
• Prior cannabis experience not required

Additional Requirements

• Must be at a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Must possess valid state ID.
• Must be able to obtain, and maintain, state badging requirements to work in the cannabis industry (requires background check and state review)