The Edibles Tech I for Packaging operates at the critical intersection of manufacturing, compliance, and consumer safety. This individual is the final steward of the product before it reaches the dispensary shelf. The role's core function is the precise and efficient operation of sophisticated packaging equipment to prepare cannabis-infused edible products for the market. This position executes the final, and perhaps most visible, stage of production where brand presentation and regulatory adherence are paramount. Success in this role directly safeguards the company's license to operate by ensuring every single unit is packaged, sealed, and labeled in exact accordance with state-mandated regulations. This includes verifying child-resistant mechanisms, confirming accurate THC content displays, and ensuring batch-specific tracking information is flawless. The position demands a high level of mechanical aptitude, unwavering attention to detail, and a deep understanding of food safety protocols within a highly regulated production environment.
The operational day begins with a pre-production checklist in a cGMP-compliant cleanroom environment. The technician dons appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including hairnets, gloves, and dedicated footwear. The first task is a thorough review of the daily production order from the ERP system. This document specifies the Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) to be packaged, such as a 100mg THC raspberry gummy 10-pack. The technician verifies that the staged materials match the order precisely: the correct printed film roll for the flow wrapper, the correctly coded child-resistant pouches, and the pre-printed cartons with the corresponding UPC. All food-contact surfaces of the packaging line, from the stainless-steel vibratory feeder to the conveyor belts, are sanitized and swabbed for verification, with results logged in the sanitation records.
Once setup is complete, the focus shifts to equipment calibration and operation. The technician calibrates the multi-head weigher to ensure each package contains the exact target weight of gummies, a critical step for both cost control and dosage compliance. The thermal transfer overprinter is loaded with the correct batch and lot number, manufacturing date, and expiration date. A test print is run and verified against the Batch Production Record (BPR) by a Quality Assurance team member before the production run commences. The technician then starts the automated line, carefully monitoring the flow of product from the kitchen into the packaging machinery. Constant observation is required to ensure the flow wrapper is creating airtight seals, the label applicator is placing labels without skewing, and the cartoning machine is correctly erecting, filling, and sealing boxes.
Mid-shift activities are centered on in-process quality control (IPQC). Every 30 minutes, the technician pulls a sample of five finished packages from the line. Each unit is meticulously inspected. The seal integrity is tested to ensure product freshness and prevent contamination. The package weight is verified on a calibrated laboratory scale. The label placement is checked with a template, and all printed information, including the state-mandated universal THC symbol, is confirmed for clarity and accuracy. These results are documented in real-time in the BPR. If any deviation is found, the technician has the authority and responsibility to stop the line immediately, quarantine the affected product, and escalate the issue to the Packaging Supervisor and Quality Assurance.
The afternoon may involve a product changeover. This process requires a full breakdown and deep cleaning of the equipment to prevent cross-contamination of allergens or ingredients from the previous SKU. The technician follows a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for cleaning and sanitizing each component of the line. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures are strictly followed to ensure the equipment is de-energized and cannot be accidentally started during maintenance or cleaning. The shift concludes with a final reconciliation. The technician calculates the total number of units produced, the amount of product used, and the quantity of packaging materials consumed. This data is entered into the ERP and the state's seed-to-sale tracking system, such as Metrc. This final data entry ensures a compliant chain of custody for every gram of cannabis, from bulk infused product to the final packaged good.
The Edibles Tech I - Packaging is accountable for performance in three key operational areas:
The Edibles Tech I - Packaging directly influences key business performance metrics through the following mechanisms:
| Impact Area | Strategic Influence |
|---|---|
| Cash | Minimizes waste of high-cost infused product and packaging materials by ensuring equipment runs within specification, directly preserving working capital. |
| Profits | Maximizes production throughput and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) by operating machinery efficiently and reducing downtime, directly increasing the volume of sellable goods. |
| Assets | Preserves the value and extends the operational life of multi-million dollar packaging lines through proper operation, cleaning, and preventative maintenance tasks. |
| Growth | Enables the successful launch of new products by quickly mastering new packaging formats and executing production runs that meet market demand. |
| People | Maintains a safe work environment by strictly adhering to machine guarding and LOTO safety procedures, preventing injuries and reducing workers' compensation claims. |
| Products | Guarantees product quality and shelf stability through vigilant monitoring of package seal integrity, protecting the brand's consumer reputation. |
| Legal Exposure | Drastically reduces liability by ensuring every package is child-resistant and contains accurate dosage and warning information, preventing consumer harm and litigation. |
| Compliance | Serves as the final checkpoint for physical compliance, ensuring every unit leaving the facility meets all state-specific packaging and labeling regulations. |
| Regulatory | Creates an audit-proof trail of documentation through diligent BPR and seed-to-sale data entry, ensuring successful outcomes during unannounced regulatory inspections. |
Reports To: This position typically reports to the Packaging Supervisor or Production Manager.
Similar Roles: Professionals in roles such as Packaging Operator, Machine Operator, or Production Technician within the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industries possess a directly transferable skill set. Titles like Line Technician or Manufacturing Associate also reflect the core responsibilities of equipment operation, quality checks, and adherence to production schedules. The specific emphasis on cGMP and strict regulatory documentation in cannabis aligns this role closely with a Pharmaceutical Packaging Technician.
Works Closely With: This position requires constant collaboration with Quality Assurance Technicians for verification and release, the Kitchen/Formulation Team for product handoff, and Maintenance Technicians for troubleshooting and preventative maintenance on equipment. It also interfaces with the Inventory Control Team to ensure a steady supply of packaging materials and the proper transfer of finished goods.
Operational success requires proficiency with specific industry technologies:
Success in this role leverages experience from highly regulated and process-driven industries:
The role demands specific professional attributes for peak performance:
These organizations create the rules and standards that directly shape the day-to-day responsibilities of this position:
| Acronym/Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| BPR | Batch Production Record. A controlled document detailing the entire manufacturing and packaging history of a single batch of product. |
| cGMP | current Good Manufacturing Practices. A system of regulations and guidelines enforced by the FDA to ensure products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. |
| CR | Child-Resistant. A type of special packaging designed to be significantly difficult for children under five years of age to open within a reasonable time. |
| ERP | Enterprise Resource Planning. Software used by a company to manage day-to-day business activities such as accounting, procurement, project management, and manufacturing. |
| HACCP | Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point. A systematic preventive approach to food safety that identifies and controls physical, chemical, and biological hazards. |
| IPQC | In-Process Quality Control. Checks performed during production to monitor and, if necessary, adjust the process to ensure the product conforms to its specification. |
| LOTO | Lockout/Tagout. A safety procedure used to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not able to be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or service work. |
| OEE | Overall Equipment Effectiveness. A metric that measures manufacturing productivity by combining data on equipment availability, performance, and quality. |
| QA/QC | Quality Assurance / Quality Control. QA is process-oriented to prevent defects, while QC is product-oriented to identify defects. |
| SKU | Stock Keeping Unit. A unique code for each distinct product and service that can be purchased, used to track inventory. |
| SOP | Standard Operating Procedure. A set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out complex routine operations. |
| VFFS | Vertical Form Fill Seal. A type of automated assembly-line packaging system commonly used in the food packaging industry. |
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