Job Description

Job Title: Head of Lab

Location: Hamilton, New Jersey

Salary: Starting at $100,000 (commensurate with experience)

Job Type: Full-Time | In-Person

About the Company:

Our client is a craft-focused, family-owned cannabis manufacturer known for its dedication to quality, innovation, and community. With operations in multiple states, including New Jersey and Oregon, they are committed to producing high-quality cannabis products through thoughtful processes and premium ingredients.

They take pride in a people-first culture that blends operational excellence with creativity and accountability — and they’re looking for a Head of Lab who shares that same passion for quality and leadership.

Position Summary:

Our client seeks a Head of Lab to lead day-to-day extraction, post-processing, team management, and long-term process improvement efforts at their New Jersey facility. This hands-on leadership role is ideal for someone with strong experience in CO₂ and hydrocarbon extraction, particularly with EDEN Lab FX HI Flow FX2 systems.

The Head of Lab will oversee production schedules, team development, and regulatory compliance, which is key in maintaining product consistency and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

Extraction & Post-Processing

• Operate and manage CO₂ and hydrocarbon extraction equipment
• Oversee winterization, decarboxylation, distillation, and formulation
• Optimize SOPs for yield, safety, and quality improvements
• Maintain compliance with GMP standards and internal procedures

Scheduling & Production Planning

• Create weekly and monthly lab schedules based on production goals
• Manage team coverage and operational flow
• Cross-train staff to enhance flexibility and redundancy

Team Leadership

• Supervise, train, and coach lab technicians
• Set daily and weekly goals; provide clear expectations
• Conduct regular feedback and performance reviews
• Address issues related to attendance, performance, or conduct

Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain accurate batch records and METRC traceability
• Partner with compliance personnel to prepare for inspections
• Ensure operations meet all NJ-CRC regulatory standards

Operational Oversight

• Manage inventory, supplies, and lab equipment maintenance
• Maintain a clean, efficient, and safety-compliant work environment
• Participate in hiring and onboarding new lab team members

Qualifications Required:

• 2–3 years of cannabis extraction or lab production experience
• Experience operating EDEN Lab FX HI Flow FX2 or similar hydrocarbon equipment
• 1+ year in a supervisory or lead role
• Familiarity with METRC and New Jersey cannabis regulations
• Working knowledge of post-processing and formulation

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Engineering, or related field
• Background in cannabinoid isolation, formulation, or edibles

Skills:

• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability
• Excellent communication and documentation skills
• Detail-oriented with strong time management and organizational abilities
• Competent with spreadsheets and lab/production software

Physical Requirements

• Able to stand for long periods and lift to 50 lbs
• Must be able to push up to 100 lbs with assistance
• Repetitive movements are required during production

Schedule & Compensation

• Full-time, on-site Monday–Friday
• Occasional evenings/weekends, depending on production needs
• Starting Salary: $100,000 (commensurate with experience)

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Career development opportunities
• Growth potential within a multi-state operator

Work Location:

Hamilton Township, NJ (on-site only)

Relocation:

Candidates must be willing to relocate prior to starting, if not already local.

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.

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