Lead Packaging Technician

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Iowa Cannabis Company in Iowa City, IA is currently seeking a Lead Packaging Technician to join our team at our state-of-the-art cannabis production facility. Join us in our mission to provide high-quality medical cannabis products to patients across Iowa. As a leader in the industry, we are committed to innovation and excellence in the extraction process.  We currently operate three medical dispensaries in the state of Iowa, along with our medical cannabis manufacturing facility. 

JOB SUMMARY

Are you passionate about plants and eager to join the booming cannabis industry? We at Iowa Cannabis Company are on the lookout for a dedicated Lead Packaging Technician to join our team at our modern cannabis growing and processing facility. 

Are you ready to dive into the world of cannabis and contribute to our thriving industry? If yes, step into the role of the Lead Packaging Technician position at Iowa Cannabis Company and enjoy a fulfilling journey with our dynamic team!

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversee Packaging Operations
  • Supervise and manage the packaging of finished cannabis products, ensuring all processes meet company standards for quality and efficiency.
  • Ensure that packaging equipment and machinery are operated safely and are regularly maintained.
• Product Orders and Delivery
  
  • Deliver finished goods to retail locations across the state of Iowa on a regular basis.
  • Fulfill orders and create shipping manifests for IA Wholesale products.
• Team Leadership
  • Lead, train, and manage packaging teams to ensure productivity and adherence to operational procedures.
  • Schedule shifts and manage workflow to maximize efficiency without compromising product quality.
  • Using independent judgment and discretion, discipline and coach team members as they deem necessary and appropriate short of termination to ensure proper operations and conduct.  For all recommended terminations, review with HR and/or managers before final action is taken.
• Inventory Management
  • Monitor inventory levels of packaging materials and finished products.
  • Coordinate with procurement to order supplies and manage stock to prevent disruptions in the packaging process.
• Label Preparation and Compliance
  • Design and prepare labels for products, ensuring compliance with both Iowa and Oregon state cannabis regulations.
  • Update label information in accordance with changes in regulations or company branding.
• Interfacing with Retail Locations
  • Collaborate with the Oregon retail location to support their in-house packaging needs, providing them with necessary labels and packaging guidelines.
  • Ensure consistency in packaging standards and brand representation across both locations.
• Regulatory Adherence
  • Stay updated on changes in cannabis packaging regulations and ensure that all packaging activities comply with current laws.
  • Prepare reports and documentation required by regulatory agencies.
• Safety and Cleanliness Standards
  • Maintain a clean and organized work environment to comply with health and safety standards.
  • Conduct regular safety audits and participate in safety training sessions with staff.
• Process Improvement
  • Continually assess packaging processes and practices for efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Implement improvements and innovations in packaging techniques that may enhance productivity and reduce costs.
• Communication and Reporting
  • Communicate effectively with team members, management, and external partners such as suppliers and retail locations.
  • Prepare and present reports on packaging operations, inventory levels, and process improvements to senior management.
• Quality Assurance
• • Conduct quality checks to ensure that packaged products comply with all regulatory requirements, including weight, labeling, and sealing.
  • Address and resolve any issues related to product integrity or packaging discrepancies.
• Manifest
  • Manifest Accepting for all Retail and Medical locations.
  • Coordinate and provide training manifest acceptors.
  • Product Creation/Approval from State agencies.
  • Return manifests for all locations to send back broken/defective products.
• General
  • Participate in facility inspections and audits to ensure compliance with regulatory standards
  • Assist with other duties as assigned by management to ensure the smooth operation of the facility.
  • Additional duties as assigned.

 Extraction:

• Perform general manual labor tasks including loading, unloading, lifting, and moving materials.
• Clean glassware and sensitive lab equipment, as well as general cleaning of the lab areas.
• Work at an efficient pace in a production environment while gramming out and packaging all concentrate products and vape cartridges
• Perform general maintenance of equipment, tools, and workspace.
• Preparing equipment and plant materials for extraction, including but not limited to dry biomass grinding and fresh biomass packing in a freezer environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Job duties may include work indoors and outdoors during all seasons, 365 days/year.
• Employees may be exposed to difficult or stressful vendor, customer, or employee situations requiring patience and professionalism to effectively handle.
• Work duties may require sedentary activities, active standing, stooping and/or kneeling. 
• Production facility operates 365 days a year with shifts typically occurring between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.  Job responsibilities occasionally fall outside of typical shifts. 
• Employees are required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, hearing protection and safety glasses.
• The production facility may have strong odors and varying temperatures due to the cultivation and processing of cannabis.
• Employees may be required to work in confined spaces, such as plant growing areas or extraction rooms.
• Exposure to potential allergens, such as pollen or plant materials.
• The use of chemicals and pesticides is common in a cannabis production facility, which may require employees to follow strict safety protocols and wear additional PPE.
• Noise levels in the facility may be loud due to equipment or machinery operations.
• The facility has strict security measures, including video surveillance and restricted access, to ensure compliance with regulations and prevent theft.
• Regular cleaning and sanitization of the work area required to maintain a safe and hygienic environment.
• Able to work in low oxygen areas.
• Capable of working with or around caustic and potentially harmful chemicals.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to regularly lift 50 pounds and occasionally lift up to 200 pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to complete job duties that involve frequent bending, reaching, and carrying of heavy materials or equipment.
• Must be able to stand for up to eight hours per day.
• Must be able to proficiently operate computers, tablets and other productivity machinery and technology.
• Must be able to reliably arrive at work on time for scheduled shifts.
• Must be able to ascend/descend a ladder to service displays, products, or service ceiling lights.
• Must be able to type at least 40 words per minute.
• Must be able to move about the retail store, as needed, to assist customers and perform required functions.
• Must be able to remain in a designated work area for up to eight hours per day with the exception of breaks as required by law. 
• Must be able to position oneself to access products within all areas of the production facility.
• Must be able to effectively communicate information and ideas so vendors, customers and coworkers will understand. Must be able to convey and exchange accurate information in these situations.   
• Must be able to continue to assist vendors, customers and coworkers during and after stressful situations resulting from interactions.
• Must be able to accurately observe details at close range in order to recognize, identify, detect, determine and assess objects.
• Must be able to prepare, place and position retail products or items.
• Must be able to effectively communicate information displayed on digital screens.
• Must be able to perform other job duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or college degree
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office
• Record production and test data for each product batch, such as the ingredients used, temperature, test results, and time cycle, and pressures during the extraction process.
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must be and remain compliant with any and all regulatory requirements for working in the cannabis industry
• Must hold and maintain a valid drivers license for the duration of employment.
• Must have a clean driving record.
• Must be able to internalize training and follow instructions consistently
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned
  
  

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

• Pay starts at $17.00 - $24.04/hr.
• Employee discount includes 50% for Iowa medical cannabis card holders
• Perfect attendance incentive program.
• Health, Dental and Vision insurance. 
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering in-person, telephonic, texting and video counseling for help with stress, anxiety, depression, family issues, and more.
• Paid Sick Leave (PSL).
• Holiday Pay for anyone working New Years Day, 4/20, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Iowa Cannabis Company is an equal opportunity employer that believes in promoting a diverse workplace and creating a working environment in which all employees are provided with equal employment opportunities. The company will not discriminate against qualified applicants or employees with respect to any term or condition of employment based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other protected class or characteristic established under applicable federal, state or local statute or ordinance.

On May 12, 2017, Governor Terry Branstad signed House File 524 into law, allowing use of medical cannabidiol to treat certain debilitating medical conditions. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health: "The Act provides that a person recommend, possess, use, dispense, deliver, transport, or administer cannabidiol if the recommendation, possession, use, dispensing, delivery, transporting, or administering is in accordance with chapter 124E of the Iowa Code."  This law also allows patients and designated primary caregivers to possess cannabidiol and requires the recommendation of a board certified physician.