Job Profile: Rosin Production Technician

Job Overview

The Rosin Production Technician is a specialist who combines artisanal skill with scientific precision to create high-value, solventless cannabis concentrates. This role is central to the production of premium products that appeal to a discerning consumer base focused on purity and quality. The technician operates at the intersection of material science, thermodynamics, and process control. They are responsible for transforming raw cannabis material—either high-quality flower or ice water hash—into rosin by meticulously manipulating heat, pressure, and time. Success in this position directly influences product consistency, yield, and brand reputation in the competitive concentrates market. The role requires a deep understanding of machinery operation, strict adherence to hygiene protocols, and rigorous documentation to ensure full compliance with state and local regulations.

A Day in the Life

The operational day begins in a controlled, hygienic environment, often a cleanroom-like setting. The first task is a thorough review of the production schedule. This determines which specific cannabis strain or hash batch is slated for extraction. The technician consults the batch records to understand the characteristics of the starting material, including its cannabinoid and terpene profile from prior lab tests. This information guides the initial parameters for the extraction process. Collaboration with the inventory manager ensures the correct batch is pulled from temperature-controlled storage, and its chain of custody is meticulously documented in the seed-to-sale tracking system.

Next, the focus shifts to equipment preparation. The technician performs a pre-operational check on the hydraulic or pneumatic rosin press. This involves verifying that the heated plates, or platens, are free from any residue from the previous day's work. They then power on the machinery and set the target temperature. A critical step is the calibration verification. Using a handheld, calibrated surface thermometer, the technician confirms that the temperature displayed on the machine's controller matches the actual surface temperature of both the top and bottom platens. Any deviation is noted and adjusted, and the verification is logged in the daily equipment journal. This ensures process consistency and compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). All tools, including stainless steel collection implements and parchment paper, are inspected for cleanliness and proper staging.

With the machinery ready, the material preparation begins. The technician carefully weighs a precise amount of hash or flower and packs it into specialized mesh filter bags. The size of the mesh, measured in microns, is selected based on the starting material's consistency to maximize the outflow of cannabinoids and terpenes while filtering out plant matter. The packed bag is then placed between sheets of food-grade parchment paper and positioned centrally on the press platens. The pressing process itself is a delicate balance of art and science. The technician applies pressure gradually, observing the material for the first signs of resin extraction. They monitor the color, flow rate, and aroma of the extracted oil. Based on these visual and olfactory cues, they adjust the pressure and duration to achieve the optimal yield without sacrificing quality. Each press cycle's parameters—temperature, total time, and pressure profile—are meticulously recorded in the batch production record.

After the press cycle is complete, the technician carefully collects the freshly extracted rosin from the parchment paper using specialized tools. This raw rosin is weighed, and the yield percentage is calculated and documented. Samples are prepared and sent to the Quality Assurance lab for analytical testing, which will confirm the potency and purity of the final product. The remainder of the day involves repeating this process for the entire batch, ensuring consistency from the first press to the last. The final phase of the workday is dedicated to post-processing and sanitation. The technician thoroughly cleans the rosin press, collection tools, and all work surfaces with approved cleaning agents to prevent any cross-contamination between batches. This adherence to strict hygiene protocols is critical for product safety. All production data for the day is finalized in the tracking system, ensuring a complete and compliant record of all activities before the technician prepares the workspace for the next shift.

Core Responsibilities & Operational Impact

The Rosin Production Technician's responsibilities are divided into three key areas that directly affect operational success:

1. Extraction Process Execution & Quality Assurance

• Precise Machinery Operation: Operating hydraulic or pneumatic presses to apply specific, documented parameters of temperature and pressure to extract rosin from cannabis flower or hash.
• Material Evaluation & Preparation: Assessing the quality of starting materials and preparing them for extraction, including selecting appropriate micron filter bags and packing them to ensure consistent results.
• In-Process Quality Control: Continuously monitoring the extraction process, using sensory inputs to make real-time adjustments that optimize for both quality and yield. This directly impacts the final product's marketability.
• Post-Processing Techniques: Performing curing and other post-extraction manipulations to achieve specific product consistencies, such as badder, jam, or shatter, as required by the product portfolio.

2. Compliance, Documentation & Equipment Integrity

• Meticulous Record-Keeping: Maintaining detailed batch production records that capture every critical process parameter, yield, and material lot number. This documentation is essential for regulatory compliance and traceability.
• Equipment Calibration & Maintenance: Conducting daily calibration checks on all critical equipment, including press platens and scales, and performing routine preventive maintenance to ensure machinery operates within specified tolerances.
• Adherence to Hygiene Protocols: Executing rigorous cleaning and sanitation procedures for all equipment and surfaces in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to prevent contamination and ensure product safety.
• Seed-to-Sale Data Entry: Accurately entering all production data into the state-mandated compliance tracking system (e.g., METRC), ensuring weights and batch transfers are correctly recorded.

3. Collaboration & Process Optimization

• Cross-Functional Communication: Engaging in active collaboration with the cultivation team to provide feedback on material quality and with the QA/QC lab to interpret testing results and adjust processes accordingly.
• Inventory Management: Working closely with the inventory team to manage the supply of raw materials and finished goods, ensuring a smooth production flow.
• Continuous Improvement: Participating in research and development efforts by executing small-scale test presses to refine techniques, improve yields, and develop new product expressions.

Strategic Impact Analysis

The Rosin Production Technician's performance directly affects the company's financial health and market position:

Chain of Command & Key Stakeholders

Reports To: This position typically reports to the Extraction Manager or the Director of Manufacturing.

Similar Roles: This role shares core competencies with several positions in other industries. Titles like Pharmaceutical Compounding Technician, Artisan Food Production Specialist (e.g., Chocolatier, Cheesemaker), or Precision Machine Operator reflect a similar blend of process control, recipe adherence, hygiene, and documentation. For broader market comparison, consider roles like Chemical Technician or Bioprocess Technician, which also involve operating specialized equipment to transform raw materials into a refined final product based on precise parameters.

Works Closely With: This position requires constant collaboration with the Quality Assurance Manager, Head of Cultivation, and the Packaging Supervisor.

Technology, Tools & Systems

Proficiency with the following technologies and systems is essential for success:

• Rosin Press Machinery: Advanced knowledge of operating and maintaining hydraulic and/or pneumatic rosin presses (e.g., PurePressure, Sasquash Rosin Presses), including their pressure and temperature control systems.
• Seed-to-Sale (S2S) Compliance Software: Daily use of platforms like METRC or BioTrackTHC to log material inputs, production outputs, and waste, ensuring a compliant chain of custody.
• Calibration Instruments: Competent use of digital scales, handheld surface thermometers (pyrometers), and pressure gauges to verify equipment accuracy and maintain process integrity.
• Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS): Interfacing with LIMS to submit samples for testing and retrieve Certificates of Analysis (COAs) to verify product potency and purity.

The Ideal Candidate Profile

Transferable Skills

Candidates from process-driven industries are well-suited for this role:

• Food & Beverage Manufacturing: Experience from craft brewing, distilling, or artisan food production provides a strong foundation in process control, sanitation, and recipe management.
• Pharmaceutical or Nutraceutical Production: A background in compounding or tablet pressing demonstrates expertise in precise measurement, batch documentation, and working in a regulated, GMP-compliant environment.
• Precision Manufacturing: Experience as a CNC machine operator or in a similar role shows a high degree of mechanical aptitude and the ability to work with tight tolerances and complex equipment.
• Professional Culinary Arts: Chefs and pastry chefs possess a unique combination of process discipline, sensory evaluation skills, and creativity that translates very well to rosin production.

Critical Competencies

The role demands a specific set of professional attributes:

• Extreme Attention to Detail: The ability to meticulously follow complex SOPs, manage multiple process variables simultaneously, and maintain flawless documentation.
• Process-Oriented Mindset: A systematic approach to work, understanding that consistent inputs and processes are required to achieve consistent, high-quality outputs.
• Mechanical Aptitude: The ability to understand, operate, and perform basic troubleshooting and maintenance on sophisticated production machinery.
• Sensory Acuity: A developed ability to use sight, smell, and touch to assess material quality and guide the extraction process in real-time.

Top 3 Influential Entities for the Role

These bodies and frameworks establish the operational guardrails for the Rosin Production Technician:

• State Cannabis Regulatory Agency: This is the primary governing body (e.g., California's Department of Cannabis Control, Colorado's Marijuana Enforcement Division). It dictates all rules regarding licensing, testing requirements, product labeling, and the mandatory use of seed-to-sale tracking systems. Compliance with these rules is non-negotiable.
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP): A system of principles and procedures that ensures manufacturing processes are performed consistently and meet quality standards. While not always federally mandated for cannabis, states are increasingly adopting GMP standards for hygiene, documentation, equipment calibration, and facility design. Adherence is becoming the industry benchmark for quality and safety.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): OSHA's regulations govern workplace safety. For a Rosin Technician, this includes standards for machine guarding on presses, proper ergonomic practices to prevent repetitive strain injuries, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like heat-resistant gloves and safety glasses.

Acronyms & Terminology