Director, Manufacturing - Engineering

The Role  

The Director, Manufacturing – Engineering and Packaging will provide oversite, direction, and technical/training support to our team of Engineers and facilities team members.  A primary goal of this role is to development automated solutions and CI for our sites to deliver outstanding quality cannabis to our consumers and patients at scale.  The Director, Manufacturing – Engineering and Packaging, and their team, will play a pivotal strategic role in ushering priority projects from a feasibility though a full IQ/OQ/PQ validation and hand-off with a technical transfer to the site production team.  This team will also work with the facilities team to deliver productivity improvements and execute GTI’s automation strategy.  The right candidate for this role will possess a unique combination of skills: extensive real-world engineering in hands-on applications, project management experience, controls and automation experience, packaging experience, printing and labeling   Cannabis regulatory involvement, influence skills applied to a diverse peer group, and strong leadership and people-development skills for a team spread geographically around the enterprise. 

This role is required to be based out of the Central or Eastern time zone with 50% travel. 

Essential functions:  

Strategic Leadership 

• Develop and execute the company’s manufacturing strategy in alignment with overall business strategy. 
• Evaluate, source, integrate, commission and transfer knowledge for automated systems capable of packing, labeling, sealing, erecting, weighing, dispensing, inspecting and other common automated CPG needs. 
• Build cost model and justification for projects that accelerate the business and generate revenue. 
• Accountable for keeping all projects on schedule, within budget and finished to completion. 

Team Management and Development 

• Coordinate the efforts of Engineering and technical resources based on Senior Leadership Priorities and Site 90-day plan priorities. 
• Mentor and coach direct reports to ensure full utilization of team members skills and capabilities. 
• Establish and maintain best-practice standards for policies, procedures, and engineering documentation. 

 Manufacturing Support 

• Work with other departments (i.e. Prod Development, Project Management, Quality, Compliance, Operations, etc.) to integrate new systems. 
• Dedicate start-up management support for selected complex project integrations.  
• Conduct studies, identify problems, recommend alternatives, and implement solutions in coordination with engineering team and local facility teams to ensure constant optimization.
• Provide support to Start-up GM’s in delivering a successful ramp up:  Staffing, equipment layout and requirements, construction hand off, regulatory engagement, best-practice processes, and technical transfer for equipment. 
• Collaborate with other departments, such as operations, procurement, finance, marketing, and sales, to ensure that the engineering department's work aligns with business goals. 
• Build out additional technical resource team and engineering support at site level as needed. 

Project Management and Technical Expertise: 

• Implement project management best practices to track progress, timelines, and milestones for edibles initiatives. 
• Ensures constant updates are provided to the Executive team, the SVP of Operations, and the Senior Director of Manufacturing on the status of projects and improvement efforts in the facilities. 

Budget Management: 

• Develop and manage the budget for all projects and ensure efficient allocation of resources to support projects. 
• Explore cost-saving opportunities in all projects and opportunities 

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 escalate 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. 
• 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 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering and 7+ years managing professional Operations and Engineering efforts. 
• Cannabis experience strongly preferred.
• Proven strategic experience in overseeing all aspects of large-scale operationalization and construction. 
• Knowledgeable of TPM-based continuous improvement methodology. 
• Knowledgeable of Engineering problem solving.
• Able to diagnose complex technical systems and develop simple human-machine interface and training solutions for optimal operations. 
• Highly motivated, self-directed, innovative and able to work independently or among teams with keen judgement, common sense and resourcefulness.
• Adapts and thrives in a demanding, start-up, fast-paced environment. 
• Possesses a high level of critical thinking. 
• Operates with a high level of professionalism and integrity, including dealing with confidential information. 
• Effective time-management skills and ability to multi-task.
• Ability to work well with others while also completing individually assigned tasks. 
• Must understand and comply with the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of GTI. 
• Must have a solid understanding of the Medical Marijuana laws, rules and regulations set forth by the state; a pursuit to further their understanding and knowledge of the industry and the laws. 

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) 

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