Manufacturing Infrastructure & Automation Manager

Opportunity: Manufacturing Infrastructure & Automation Manager (Cannabis / Regulated Production)

Location📍: Cortland, NY

Salary💰: $65,000–$75,000

Full-Time - Relocation packaging included for right candidate not local to Cortland.

A fast-growing, mission-driven cannabis manufacturing organization is seeking a Manufacturing Infrastructure & Automation Manager to own the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of all production equipment, infrastructure systems, and automation assets.

This is a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring manufacturing operations run safely, efficiently, and without interruption. You will serve as the technical backbone of production, ensuring equipment readiness, minimizing downtime, and enabling scalable automation across the facility.

You will partner closely with Production Leadership, Quality Assurance, Facilities, and external vendors to ensure production schedules are fully supported by reliable infrastructure and well-maintained systems.

About the Role

This role owns the performance and reliability of all manufacturing infrastructure, including production equipment, utilities, automation systems, and maintenance operations.

You will lead maintenance and technical support teams while driving a culture of uptime, accountability, and continuous improvement.

This is a highly hands-on operational leadership role focused on:

• Eliminating equipment-related production constraints
• Reducing unplanned downtime
• Scaling automation safely and effectively
• Ensuring production readiness every day

Key Responsibilities

Production Infrastructure & Operational Support

• Partner with Production leadership to ensure daily operational readiness
• Identify and escalate equipment or infrastructure constraints impacting schedules
• Support production teams in resolving technical and equipment issues
• Align maintenance priorities with production demand and scheduling needs

Maintenance & Reliability Systems

• Own preventive maintenance programs across all production equipment
• Reduce unplanned downtime through root cause analysis and corrective action
• Track and analyze equipment performance metrics (uptime, MTBF, MTTR)
• Maintain critical spare parts strategy and repair readiness systems
• Ensure accurate maintenance records, calibrations, and service logs

Equipment, Facilities & Infrastructure

• Oversee maintenance of all production equipment and automation systems
• Manage utilities and infrastructure supporting production (HVAC, air systems, environmental controls, etc.)
• Coordinate repairs, upgrades, and capital improvement projects
• Lead installation, commissioning, and integration of new equipment into production workflows

Automation & Continuous Improvement

• Support development and execution of manufacturing automation strategy
• Evaluate automation opportunities to improve throughput, consistency, and labor efficiency
• Lead pilot testing and validation of new equipment and automation systems
• Identify operational risks and optimize system design and performance

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead maintenance, sanitation, and technical support staff
• Provide daily supervision including scheduling, attendance, performance management, and coaching
• Support hiring, training, and performance development
• Build a culture of accountability and reliability

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure equipment and infrastructure meet safety and regulatory standards
• Support QA and compliance teams during audits and inspections
• Maintain sanitation, PPE, and hazard mitigation standards across production areas
• Ensure maintenance activities do not compromise product quality or compliance

Documentation & Training

• Develop and maintain SOPs for equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Train operators and technicians on equipment use and safety
• Standardize documentation for equipment lifecycle from installation to steady-state use
• Serve as internal SME for manufacturing equipment and automation systems

Qualifications

• 5 years in manufacturing maintenance, automation, or industrial operations
• Hands-on experience with production equipment (packaging, filling, labeling, conveyors, etc.)
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills
• Experience building or managing preventive maintenance programs
• Knowledge of industrial systems (PLCs, sensors, motors, controls)
• Experience in regulated environments (cannabis, pharma, food, GMP, etc.)
• Strong execution mindset and ability to prioritize under pressure
• Ability to translate technical issues into production impact
• Strong communication and leadership skills

Preferred Experience

• Cannabis manufacturing or regulated production experience
• Automation systems implementation or optimization
• ERP or maintenance management systems
• Capital equipment installation and commissioning
• Technical certification or engineering background

Why This Role Matters

This role directly enables production output. Without strong infrastructure, automation, and maintenance systems, manufacturing cannot scale. This position ensures reliability, reduces downtime, and builds the foundation for operational growth.

What They Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Health insurance, 401(k), PTO
• Free farm-fresh produce
• Gym membership and CBD product discounts
• Opportunity to build and scale modern manufacturing systems in a growing industry

About Vangst

Vangst is the cannabis industry's hiring platform. Vangst helps cannabis companies find the talent they need to grow their business. From on-demand gig workers to trained & credential full-time employees, Vangst has built the industry's go-to talent marketplace for all cannabis hiring. Vangst is proud to work with 1,200 of the cannabis industry's leading businesses.

Since raising their seed round in 2018, Vangst has become one of the fastest-growing companies in the cannabis industry and was recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies.

Today, over 300,000 people have full-time jobs in the cannabis industry and this number is expected to triple over the next five years. Vangst is on a mission to fill every job in the cannabis industry.

Vangst's headquarters is in Denver, CO. Vangst is a Series B company backed by Lerer Hippeau, Colle Capital, Level One Fund, Snoop Dogg's Casa Verde Capital, and others.

Vangst provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.