The Senior Production Technician is the operational engine within a cannabis manufacturing facility, serving as the critical link between raw post-harvest materials and finished consumer goods. This position executes the complex processes of product formulation, batching, filling, and packaging with an uncompromising focus on accuracy and quality control. Operating in a highly regulated environment, the technician ensures that every step, from weighing cannabis distillate to affixing the final compliant label, is performed according to stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and documented meticulously in state-mandated seed-to-sale tracking systems. This role demands a unique combination of technical skill for operating sophisticated machinery, scientific precision for executing formulations, and a deep understanding of compliance to protect the company’s license and reputation. The Senior Production Technician directly impacts product consistency, manufacturing efficiency, and the overall profitability of the enterprise.
The day begins in the production suite, reviewing the manufacturing schedule for the shift. The first task is a complete pre-operational check of the assigned workstation, which could be an edibles kitchen or a vape cartridge filling line. This involves verifying the cleanliness of all surfaces, confirming the calibration of analytical scales, and ensuring all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available. The technician logs into the seed-to-sale software, such as METRC, to review the day's assigned batch record. The initial assignment is to produce a 5,000-unit batch of 10mg THC raspberry-flavored gummies.
The process starts with material verification. The technician retrieves a specific lot of THC distillate from the secure inventory cage, scanning its unique package tag into the tracking system to create a digital chain of custody. Every input is measured with extreme accuracy. Using a calibrated scale in a ventilated enclosure, the technician precisely weighs the distillate, ensuring the final batch will meet the potency targets confirmed by the product’s Certificate of Analysis (COA). Next, the technician measures out pectin, flavorings, and other ingredients according to the confidential formulation outlined in the batch record. All weights are documented, witnessed by a second technician, and entered into the production log. The materials are then carefully combined and heated in a commercial-grade mixing vessel, with temperature and mixing time monitored as critical control points to ensure homogeneity.
Midday operations involve transferring the prepared gummy slurry to an automated depositor machine. The Senior Production Technician is responsible for setting up, calibrating, and operating this equipment. This involves selecting the correct mold configuration and programming the machine to deposit the precise volume needed for each gummy. The first few deposits are weighed as an in-process quality control check to guarantee each piece is within the specified weight tolerance. Once verified, the full production run commences. As the gummies are deposited, the technician continually monitors the equipment for performance, making minor adjustments to nozzle pressure or conveyor speed to maintain consistent efficiency and quality. Samples are pulled at regular intervals for sensory evaluation and physical inspection.
The afternoon shifts to the final, critical stages of packaging. After the gummies have cured, they are moved to the packaging line. The technician sets up and loads an automated bottling machine and a label applicator. A key task is verifying that the labeler is loaded with the correct packaging labels for the specific batch, which include the state-required warnings, potency information, and unique batch ID. As the finished bottles come off the line, the technician performs quality control checks on the tamper-evident seals, label placement, and final package integrity. The total number of finished units is counted and reconciled against the raw materials used, with any variance documented. All cannabis waste, such as residual material in the mixing vessel, is weighed and logged for compliant disposal. The shift concludes with a thorough cleaning and sanitation of all equipment and the completion of all batch record documentation, ensuring the entire process is auditable and defensible to regulators.
The Senior Production Technician's responsibilities are centered on three pillars of manufacturing excellence:
The Senior Production Technician directly influences key business performance metrics through the following mechanisms:
| Impact Area | Strategic Influence |
|---|---|
| Cash | Minimizes the waste of expensive inputs like cannabis distillate and terpenes through precise measurement and efficient equipment operation. |
| Profits | Directly improves Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) by maximizing production throughput (units per hour) and reducing batch failures. |
| Assets | Preserves the value and extends the operational life of high-cost manufacturing and packaging machinery through proper use, cleaning, and basic maintenance. |
| Growth | Enables the successful launch of new products and SKUs by effectively scaling up formulations from R&D to full-scale production. |
| People | Acts as a mentor and trainer for junior technicians, elevating the overall skill level and efficiency of the production team. |
| Products | Is directly responsible for the final quality and consistency of the product that reaches the market, building consumer trust and brand loyalty. |
| Legal Exposure | Creates a defensible, traceable production history through meticulous batch records, mitigating risk in the event of a product recall or liability issue. |
| Compliance | Ensures 100% adherence to state seed-to-sale tracking and packaging regulations, which is fundamental to maintaining the company's license to operate. |
| Regulatory | Executes operations in a way that guarantees readiness for unannounced inspections from state regulators or health departments. |
Reports To: This position typically reports to the Production Manager or the Manufacturing Supervisor.
Similar Roles: This role is functionally equivalent to a Compounding Technician in the pharmaceutical industry, a Process Technician in food and beverage manufacturing, or a Senior Machine Operator in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector. These roles all share a core focus on executing precise formulations, operating automated equipment, performing in-process quality checks, and adhering to strict documentation and safety protocols like GMP or HACCP.
Works Closely With: This position requires constant collaboration with Quality Control Technicians to verify batch samples, the Inventory Control Team to ensure a steady supply of raw materials and packaging components, and Formulation Scientists to provide feedback during the scale-up of new products.
Success in this role requires proficiency with specific manufacturing technologies:
Success in this role leverages experience from other highly regulated industries:
The role demands specific professional attributes:
These organizations set the standards and regulations that define the daily activities of this role:
| Acronym/Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| BOM | Bill of Materials. A comprehensive list of raw materials, components, and assemblies required to manufacture a product. |
| BPR | Batch Production Record. A controlled document that provides a complete history of the manufacturing of a single batch. |
| COA | Certificate of Analysis. A document issued by a third-party lab that confirms a product meets its required specifications, including potency and purity. |
| GMP | Good Manufacturing Practices. A system of processes and procedures that ensures products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards. |
| METRC | Marijuana Enforcement Tracking Reporting Compliance. A widely used state-mandated seed-to-sale software system. |
| PPE | Personal Protective Equipment. Items such as gloves, lab coats, safety glasses, and hairnets used to ensure worker and product safety. |
| QC | Quality Control. The process of inspecting and testing products to ensure they meet predefined quality standards. |
| S2S | Seed-to-Sale. The term for the tracking systems used to monitor the entire lifecycle of a cannabis product from cultivation to final sale. |
| SKU | Stock Keeping Unit. A unique code that identifies a specific product type, size, and variation. |
| SOP | Standard Operating Procedure. A set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations. |
| Winterization | A post-harvest refinement process for cannabis extract that removes undesirable compounds like fats, waxes, and lipids to increase purity. |
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