Plant Manager - Cannabis Manufacturing

Company Overview

DreamFields ranks among the top five cannabis companies nationwide, distinguished by its leading pre-roll brand, Jeeter. The company prioritizes delivering top-tier marketing, innovative and high-quality products, outstanding customer experiences, cutting-edge manufacturing processes, and nurturing a vibrant and supportive workplace culture with more than 1,500 employees. DreamFields is rapidly expanding across all legalized cannabis states in the U.S.

Job Summary

The Plant Manager position entails overseeing all manufacturing functions at a DreamFields production facility. Reporting directly to the Regional Director of Manufacturing Operations, you will lead daily operations encompassing production, processing, packaging, maintenance, inventory control, quality assurance, safety compliance, labor forecasting, and regulatory adherence. Your role is to ensure operational excellence by meeting production targets, enhancing labor efficiency, lowering costs, and building effective teams. Collaboration with multiple departments like Supply Chain, Quality, Compliance, Engineering, and HR is key to achieving these goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct all aspects of daily manufacturing including production, packaging, maintenance, warehouse, and support teams.
• Guarantee production schedules are met safely, efficiently, and punctually.
• Promote a culture of safety, team collaboration, accountability, and continuous operational improvements.
• Ensure strict adherence to company SOPs, GMP standards, OSHA, and cannabis regulatory policies.
• Plan and execute production workloads in coordination with Supply Chain and Procurement to meet customer demands and inventory targets.
• Monitor and optimize staffing levels aligned with production forecasts.
• Identify and alleviate production bottlenecks to maximize capacity and minimize downtime.
• Analyze operational data and lead initiatives to enhance key performance metrics such as throughput, OEE, yield, labor productivity, cost reduction, scrap minimization, and attendance.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement projects, standardizing processes and improving equipment collaboration with Engineering and Automation teams.
• Manage compliance with all quality, safety, and regulatory standards, supporting audits and ensuring effective corrective actions.
• Oversee operating budgets, labor costs, and support financial planning to improve profitability.
• Recruit, develop, and retain leadership talent while fostering high employee engagement and performance.
• Implement and uphold a zero-incident safety culture with routine audits and incident investigations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align production goals and resource planning.
• Create and deliver operational reports and performance insights to executive leadership.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related fields.
• Minimum 8 years progressive leadership in manufacturing, including at least 3 years as Plant Manager or equivalent in high-volume, regulated environments.
• Proven track record of enhancing productivity, quality, efficiency, and budget management.
• Deep knowledge of Lean methodologies, KPI management, GMP, OSHA, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to coach and develop teams.
• Proficiency with ERP software, manufacturing reporting, and Microsoft Office.
• Must be 21 years or older.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or advanced business degree.
• Experience in cannabis, CPG, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, automotive or other regulated high-volume manufacturing industries.
• Certifications such as Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, APICS CPIM/CSCP, PMP.
• Experience leading plant expansions, automation, or large-scale operational improvements.

Physical & Work Conditions

• Ability to work extensively in manufacturing and warehouse environments including walking production floors routinely.
• Capability to lift up to 25 pounds and comply with PPE requirements.
• Must be flexible to work various shifts including evenings, weekends, holidays as needed.
• Up to 15% business travel across company facilities, vendor sites, training, or industry events.
• Possible allergen exposure to cannabis plant material and related substances with mandated PPE use.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DreamFields is committed to diversity and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.