The Post Harvest Supervisor is the operational architect responsible for transforming raw, harvested cannabis into a premium, shelf-stable product. This role serves as the critical control point where the genetic potential and cultivation effort invested in the cannabis plant are either fully realized or significantly diminished. The supervisor manages a complex, multi-stage workflow encompassing drying, curing, trimming, and grading—processes that directly dictate the final product's potency, aroma, flavor profile, and market value. Operating within a highly regulated framework, this individual ensures that every gram of flower is meticulously processed according to stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), tracked flawlessly within seed-to-sale compliance systems, and optimized for maximum quality and yield. The position's impact is measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to production efficiency, labor cost per gram, and the preservation of delicate chemical compounds like terpenes and cannabinoids, which are the primary drivers of commercial value.
The operational day begins with a review of environmental data from the drying and curing rooms. The supervisor logs into the building management system to verify that temperature, humidity, and airflow levels have remained within the precise parameters defined in the SOPs overnight. Any deviation, such as a 5% spike in humidity in Dry Room B, triggers an immediate investigation to prevent the onset of botrytis (gray mold), a catastrophic risk to high-value flower. Following this data audit, the supervisor leads a morning huddle with the post-harvest team, outlining the day's production goals. This includes communicating the specific harvest batch numbers to be processed, the target moisture content for material moving from drying to curing, and the daily trimming quotas for both the manual and automated trim teams.
The focus then shifts to active process management. The supervisor oversees the takedown of a batch of dried cannabis plants. Technicians are instructed on the proper handling techniques to minimize the physical agitation that can shatter valuable trichomes. The supervisor uses a moisture meter to spot-check several branches, confirming the batch has reached the target 10-12% moisture content required before the bucking process begins. Simultaneously, the supervisor moves to the trim department to perform quality control checks. On the automated trim line, the supervisor inspects the output of a Centurion trimming machine, adjusting blade proximity and tumbler speed to achieve a clean trim on a dense Kush strain without causing mechanical damage. For the hand-trimming team, the supervisor provides real-time feedback, using a jeweler's loupe to inspect the work and ensure technicians are removing sugar leaves without damaging the flower's structure or trichome coverage.
Midday operations are dedicated to the curing process, the most nuanced stage of post-harvest. The supervisor directs the team in the daily "burping" of dozens of airtight curing bins. This involves opening each container for a specific duration to release moisture and off-gas undesirable compounds like chlorophyll, while allowing the flower's terpenes to fully develop. The supervisor personally assesses the aroma of several batches, noting the evolving scent profile as an indicator of a successful cure. All data points—weights, burping times, and sensory notes—are meticulously logged against the batch number in the company's production tracking software.
The afternoon is focused on data analysis, reporting, and interdepartmental coordination. The supervisor compiles the daily post-harvest report for the Director of Operations. This report details key KPIs: total weight processed, average trim time per pound, waste percentage, and labor utilization. The supervisor analyzes these metrics to identify performance trends; for example, a dip in the grams-per-hour rate for the manual trim team might indicate a need for ergonomic adjustments to their workstations or additional training. The day concludes with a final walk-through of all post-harvest environments, ensuring sanitation procedures have been completed, all in-process cannabis is securely stored, and environmental controls are set correctly for the overnight period. Every batch movement and weight change throughout the day is cross-referenced and finalized in the state's Metrc seed-to-sale compliance system to ensure 100% regulatory accuracy.
The Post Harvest Supervisor's responsibilities are segmented into three critical operational domains:
The Post Harvest Supervisor directly influences key business performance metrics through the following mechanisms:
| Impact Area | Strategic Influence |
|---|---|
| Cash | Maximizes cash flow by minimizing the time from harvest to sale-ready product through efficient process management and workflow optimization. |
| Profits | Directly increases profit margins by preserving flower quality to command premium pricing and by controlling labor costs through effective team performance management and KPI tracking. |
| Assets | Protects the company's most valuable tangible asset—the harvested cannabis inventory—from degradation, contamination, or loss due to process errors. |
| Growth | Enables market share growth by building a brand reputation for consistent, high-quality cannabis flower, which drives consumer loyalty and dispensary demand. |
| People | Develops a highly skilled and efficient post-harvest workforce, creating a stable and motivated team that reduces costly employee turnover. |
| Products | Is the final gatekeeper of product quality, directly determining the sensory characteristics (aroma, flavor, appearance) and shelf stability of the flagship flower product line. |
| Legal Exposure | Mitigates the risk of severe financial penalties and license suspension by ensuring meticulous adherence to state-mandated seed-to-sale tracking and inventory management regulations. |
| Compliance | Maintains a state of constant audit-readiness by guaranteeing that all internal SOPs, batch records, and physical inventory align with regulatory requirements. |
| Regulatory | Demonstrates adaptability by modifying post-harvest processes and documentation practices in response to evolving state regulations regarding testing, labeling, and handling. |
Reports To: This position typically reports to the Director of Post-Harvest Operations or the Director of Manufacturing.
Similar Roles: Professionals from other industries will recognize the core functions of this role in titles such as Food Production Supervisor, Agricultural Processing Manager, or Packaging Line Supervisor. An excellent parallel exists with the role of a Cellar Master in the wine industry or a Master Curer in tobacco production, both of which require an expert blend of science and sensory skill to manage the post-harvest processes that define final product quality. These roles all demand rigorous process control, team leadership, and a focus on quality assurance within a regulated or high-stakes production environment.
Works Closely With: The Post Harvest Supervisor is a central hub, collaborating daily with the Head of Cultivation to schedule harvests, the Quality Assurance Manager to coordinate lab testing and sample submission, the Inventory Manager to ensure seed-to-sale data integrity, and the Packaging Manager to supply finished product for final sale.
Mastery of specific technologies is essential for success in this data-driven role:
Success in this role is built on a foundation of experience from other process-driven, highly regulated industries:
The role demands a unique combination of technical and leadership skills:
These organizations create the frameworks and standards that shape the daily operations of a Post Harvest Supervisor:
| Acronym/Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bucking | The process of separating cannabis flowers from the stalks and stems after the initial drying phase. |
| Burping | The practice of periodically opening airtight curing containers to release built-up moisture and exchange gases, critical for developing aroma and flavor. |
| COA | Certificate of Analysis. A document from an accredited laboratory that shows the cannabinoid, terpene, and contaminant levels of a specific batch of cannabis. |
| Curing | A slow, controlled process of moisture removal and chemical maturation in airtight containers that dramatically improves the quality, shelf life, and smokability of cannabis flower. |
| Flower Quality | A set of attributes determining market value, including potency (cannabinoid content), aroma (terpene profile), appearance (trichome coverage, structure), and trim neatness. |
| GMP | Good Manufacturing Practices. A system of processes and documentation that ensures products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. |
| KPI | Key Performance Indicator. A measurable value that demonstrates how effectively a company is achieving key business objectives. Examples include grams trimmed per hour or total process yield. |
| Metrc | Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance. A widely used seed-to-sale software platform that allows state regulators to track cannabis inventory. |
| SOP | Standard Operating Procedure. A set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out complex routine operations safely and consistently. |
| Terpenes | The volatile aromatic compounds produced in cannabis trichomes that create the flower's distinct scent and flavor. Their preservation is a primary goal of post-harvest. |
| Trichomes | The microscopic, crystalline resin glands on the surface of cannabis flowers that produce and store all cannabinoids and terpenes. They are extremely fragile. |
| Water Activity | A measure of the unbound water in a product, which indicates its susceptibility to microbial growth. A key metric for ensuring shelf stability in cured cannabis. |
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