The Logistics Coordinator is the operational linchpin of the cannabis supply chain. This position orchestrates the physical and digital movement of high-value, perishable, and strictly regulated products from the point of production to final retail distribution. The role requires a unique synthesis of classical logistics planning and absolute regulatory adherence. The coordinator manages the intersection of inventory control, fleet management, and data integrity within state-mandated seed-to-sale tracking systems. Success in this role directly prevents catastrophic business disruptions, including product seizures, substantial financial penalties, and the potential loss of operating licensure. The Logistics Coordinator ensures that every product's journey is documented with perfect accuracy, creating the compliant chain of custody that underpins the entire commercial enterprise. This function is defined by its fast-paced nature, demanding constant adaptability to shifting operational priorities and an unwavering commitment to ethical conduct.
The operational day for a Logistics Coordinator begins with a data-centric audit. The first task is to reconcile the previous day's shipments and the current physical inventory within the secure vault against the state's official seed-to-sale tracking platform, such as Metrc. This involves meticulous data entry and analysis to confirm that every gram of product is accounted for digitally and physically. Any discrepancy, no matter how small, must be investigated and resolved immediately to maintain compliance. Following this reconciliation, the coordinator reviews the queue of approved sales orders from dispensaries across the state, prioritizing them for fulfillment based on delivery windows, customer status, and product availability.
The focus then shifts to the fulfillment floor. The coordinator oversees the order picking process, ensuring that warehouse staff select the correct products and batches for each order. A critical checkpoint involves verifying that every individual package has the correct, state-compliant labeling. This includes the batch number, cannabinoid potency, manufacturing date, and all required health warnings. The coordinator confirms that this physical labeling information matches the data that will be uploaded to the transport manifest. The accuracy of this step is paramount; a single mislabeled product can invalidate an entire shipment.
Midday operations are centered on transportation planning. Using route optimization software, the coordinator builds the most efficient and secure delivery schedules for the fleet of specialized, GPS-tracked vehicles. This requires a high degree of flexibility to account for traffic patterns, specific dispensary receiving hours, and state regulations governing the transport of cannabis. The coordinator then generates the official transport manifest for each vehicle. This legally required document is the product's passport, detailing every single item in the shipment. This task demands extreme attention to detail and data entry accuracy. Before dispatch, the coordinator verifies the credentials of the transport agents (drivers) and inspects vehicle logs to ensure all security and climate-control systems are functioning correctly.
The afternoon is dedicated to active dispatch management and problem-solving. As vehicles are loaded under video surveillance, the coordinator provides the final sign-off. Once a vehicle is en route, it is monitored in real-time via GPS. The coordinator serves as the central point of contact for drivers, troubleshooting any on-road issues, such as delays or problems at a delivery location. This requires adaptability and calm, clear communication to navigate unexpected challenges while ensuring the chain of custody is never broken. The operational cycle concludes as vehicles return. The coordinator meticulously reviews signed manifests and proofs of delivery, processes any product returns according to strict compliance protocols, and enters all final data into the inventory and seed-to-sale systems. A final analysis of the day’s key performance indicators, such as on-time delivery rates and order accuracy, informs planning for the next operational period.
The Logistics Coordinator has direct ownership over three critical operational domains:
The Logistics Coordinator directly influences key business performance metrics through the following mechanisms:
| Impact Area | Strategic Influence |
|---|---|
| Cash | Avoids significant cash outflows by preventing regulatory fines for non-compliant manifests, inaccurate inventory reporting, and improper transportation procedures. |
| Profits | Maximizes revenue by ensuring timely and accurate order fulfillment, preventing lost sales from retail stock-outs. Efficient route planning reduces operational costs related to fuel and labor. |
| Assets | Protects the company’s most valuable asset—its finished goods inventory—from seizure, damage, or loss during transit through rigorous chain of custody and security protocols. |
| Growth | Develops a scalable and defensible logistics framework that can be replicated in new markets, accelerating the company’s ability to launch operations in additional states. |
| People | Creates clear, reliable, and efficient workflows for warehouse and transport staff, reducing errors and burnout in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment. |
| Products | Maintains product quality and integrity by managing climate-controlled vehicles and ensuring secure handling, protecting the brand's reputation with consumers and retailers. |
| Legal Exposure | Substantially mitigates the risk of license suspension or revocation by creating an auditable trail of compliant product movement from the facility to the retailer. |
| Compliance | Functions as the frontline operator of compliance, translating complex state transportation and inventory regulations into executable daily tasks. |
| Regulatory | Acts as the key point of contact during regulatory transport audits, providing meticulous documentation and demonstrating operational control over the supply chain. |
Reports To: This position typically reports to the Director of Distribution or the Supply Chain Manager.
Similar Roles: This role shares functional DNA with titles like Dispatch Coordinator, Inventory Control Specialist, or Supply Chain Planner. The key differentiator in cannabis is the non-negotiable layer of regulatory compliance technology. A Logistics Coordinator in another industry may optimize for cost and speed, while in cannabis, the optimization is for 100% compliance first, followed by efficiency. The role is less about managing third-party carriers and more about controlling an internal, highly specialized fleet under a microscope of state oversight.
Works Closely With: This position requires constant collaboration with the Inventory Manager, Packaging Supervisor, Sales Department, and the Chief Compliance Officer.
Proficiency with a specific technology stack is essential for success:
Success in this role leverages experience from other highly regulated and detail-oriented industries:
The role demands specific professional attributes:
These organizations define the rules, systems, and standards that govern the daily functions of this role:
| Acronym/Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| S2S | Seed-to-Sale. A system that tracks the entire lifecycle of a cannabis product from its cultivation origins to its final sale to a consumer. |
| Metrc | Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance. The most widely used S2S software platform mandated by state governments. |
| Manifest | A state-generated legal document that must accompany any transport of cannabis, detailing the origin, destination, transporter, and every product in the shipment. |
| ERP | Enterprise Resource Planning. Software used by a company to manage key parts of its business, including sales orders, inventory, and accounting. |
| WMS | Warehouse Management System. Software that helps manage and control daily warehouse operations, from receiving to shipping. |
| Chain of Custody | The documented, chronological history of the handling, transfer, and location of a physical item. In cannabis, it provides a defensible record of compliant movement. |
| FIFO | First-In, First-Out. An inventory management method where the oldest stock is shipped first to prevent spoilage or expiration, critical for edibles and other perishable goods. |
| POD | Proof of Delivery. A document signed by the recipient to confirm they have received the goods as detailed on the manifest. |
| OTIF | On-Time In-Full. A key performance indicator that measures whether a shipment was delivered on schedule and with the correct quantity of items ordered. |
| SKU | Stock Keeping Unit. A unique code used to identify a specific product, essential for accurate inventory tracking. |
| Geofencing | Creating a virtual geographic boundary using GPS technology, enabling software to trigger an alert if a transport vehicle deviates from its approved route. |
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