Sr. Director, Genetics and Cultivation

Sr. Director, Genetics & Cultivation

The candidate in this position will be required to travel 65% of the time to our cultivation facilities across the nation.

Who You Are:

You are a strategic leader and expert in cannabis cultivation, passionate about innovation, quality, and operational excellence. As Sr. Director of Cultivation, you play a key role in shaping and implementing best-in-class cultivation standards across Curaleaf’s multi-state operations, with occasional support for international initiatives.

You thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, working closely with Cultivation Directors to drive efficiency, optimize production, and ensure the delivery of high-quality, cutting-edge cannabis strains for both, medical and recreational markets. With a strong focus on compliance, KPIs, and production goals, you are dedicated to maintaining the highest industry standards while continuously improving processes to support the company’s growth and success.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead & Inspire Teams: Champion Curaleaf’s values to foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and excellence across all cultivation teams. Mentor and empower Directors of Cultivation to drive success and continuous improvement.
• Optimize Cultivation Operations: Oversee grow plans, budgets, and compliance while ensuring the highest quality cannabis production. Maintain consistency in cultivation protocols, materials, and training to standardize best practices across all locations.
• Drive Innovation & Quality: Champion and promote our internal quality assessment tools like T.A.M.U. across our flower brands as we work towards establishing craft quality at scale. Implement cutting-edge cultivation methodologies, refine operational systems, and collaborate with internal teams to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and maintain premium plant quality from cloning to harvest.
• Strategic Expansion & Facility Development: Partner with the Cultivation Design Team, Engineering, and Technical Operations to plan facility build-outs, select equipment, and support operational expansions. Regularly assess new technology, genetics, and market trends to stay ahead in the industry.
• Ensure Compliance & Safety: Develop and enforce QA/QC policies, hygiene protocols, and safety regulations to maintain compliance across all cultivation activities. Ensure adherence to Curaleaf SOPs and state-specific regulations.
• Collaborate & Influence: Engage with Senior Leadership, Executive Directors, and research partners to align on cultivation strategies and business goals. Communicate effectively with Operations Managers and key stakeholders to drive results.
• Measure & Improve Performance: Track and analyze KPIs, production efficiency, and operational variances to optimize output and profitability. Identify and implement best practices to maximize yields and streamline processes.
• Travel & Industry Engagement: Travel 50% to support multi-state cultivation operations, attend industry events, and collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure alignment across markets.

What You’ll Bring:

• At least 5 years of senior-level experience managing large-scale commercial greenhouses or agricultural operations.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing Directors and Ops Managers in large-scale manufacturing operations.
• Expertise in plant diseases, pest management, nutrient protocols, and modern cultivation techniques.
• Demonstrated mastery of growing methods, including in-depth knowledge of macro- and micro-nutrients, and beneficial bacterial and nutrient implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead with transparency, integrity, and a focus on team development.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Expert knowledge of plant diseases, insects, and fungi, as well as plant treatment options.
• Proven experience in managing crops and production.
• Sound understanding of the financial principles applicable to effective planning, cost control, and budgeting of the crop growth operation.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve manufacturing objectives in terms of volume, product mix, cost, and quality.
• Working knowledge of Lean 6 Sigma and World Class Manufacturing principles.

Even Better If:

• You have an advanced degree in horticulture, agriculture, or a related field.
• You know Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and regulatory compliance standards in cannabis cultivation.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, use hands to finger or feel, reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb and balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and lift up to 50 lbs.

This position requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

This position has allergen warnings, potential exposure to dust, pollen, and plant pathogens, and requires daily use of provided PPE, such as masks, hair nets, beard covers, respirators, boot covers, scrubs, non-slip shoes, and Tyvek suits as necessary, has exposure to loud noises, including but not limited to air compressors, packaging equipment, and alarms, has exposure to CO2 manufacturing procedures at OSHA approved CO2 levels, requires high-stress tolerance, adaptability, and flexibility, as well as the ability to work in an ever-changing environment.