Operations Manager (Cannabis Manufacturing)

The Role: Operations Manager – Cannabis Manufacturing Facility

Location: Audrain County, MO

Salary: $85k-$95k DOE benefits

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee daily operations at a cannabis manufacturing and production facility. This individual will serve as the most senior leader onsite and will be responsible for ensuring efficient production, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence across all departments. The Operations Manager will lead a team of managers and oversee approximately 35–40 employees across extraction, manufacturing, packaging, fulfillment, and facilities.

This role requires a hands-on leader who understands cannabis compliance, manufacturing workflows, and team management within a regulated production environment. The Operations Manager will work closely with executive leadership while maintaining full operational oversight of the facility.

What You’ll Do:

• Oversee daily operations of the cannabis manufacturing facility, ensuring smooth production across oil extraction, product manufacturing, packaging, inventory management, and wholesale fulfillment
• Lead and manage department heads, including the Extraction Manager, Operations Manager, Facilities Manager, and administrative staff
• Supervise approximately 35–40 employees across multiple operational teams
• Ensure full compliance with all state and local cannabis regulations, including tracking, reporting, and operational procedures
• Oversee inventory management for both cannabis and non-cannabis materials, including procurement and supply planning
• Manage product manufacturing workflows to ensure quality, efficiency, and consistency across all production lines
• Oversee contract manufacturing operations and maintain strong relationships with external production partners
• Ensure accurate and compliant wholesale order fulfillment and distribution processes
• Maintain oversight of facility operations, including security, maintenance, and safety protocols
• Monitor production performance and implement improvements to optimize efficiency and output
• Work closely with leadership to develop operational strategies that support company growth
• Maintain visibility across the production floor and provide hands-on leadership to support teams when needed

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Serve as the most senior onsite leader and primary operational decision maker within the facility
• Provide guidance and support to four direct reports responsible for key operational departments
• Foster a strong culture of compliance, accountability, and teamwork across the organization
• Ensure department managers maintain clear communication and coordination between teams

What We’re Looking For:

• 5 years of operations leadership experience in cannabis manufacturing, regulated manufacturing, or a similar production environment
• Strong understanding of cannabis compliance and regulatory requirements
• Experience managing multi-department teams within a production or manufacturing facility
• Demonstrated ability to oversee extraction, manufacturing, packaging, inventory, and fulfillment workflows
• Experience managing contract manufacturing relationships preferred
• Strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to oversee large teams and complex operations
• Hands-on management style with the ability to stay closely connected to day-to-day production activities

Work Environment:

This role is based onsite at the manufacturing facility and requires a consistent physical presence to oversee daily operations and support the production team.

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 & credentialed 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.