The Senior Operations Manager will oversee operations for the production facility and secondary locations, setting budgets, enforcing policies/procedures, executing strategic initiatives to improve processes, and maintaining a safe and compliant workplace environment. This person is responsible for ensuring the facility meets brand, production, and budgetary standards, and will be a key stakeholder for cross-departmental work.

Primary Responsibilities:

Site Management

• Oversee IL Manufacturing, Quality Control, and Ops Support (Distribution & Fulfillment) to meet leadership goals: efficient production, quality product, stock maintenance, on-time delivery, and employee morale.
• Set and track performance metrics to evaluate operational efficiency; identify improvement opportunities.
• Implement, evaluate, and enforce policies and procedures; ensure facility compliance with SOPs and regulatory standards.
• Communicate directives, policies, and goals; ensure accountability and adherence to operational standards.
• Provide feedback and coaching, conduct annual performance reviews, and apply corrective actions when needed, collaborate with HR to uphold a positive work culture and improve employment practices.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and injury-free work environment, ensuring compliance with safety and legal regulations.

Procurement

• Coordinates with supply chain and quality departments to ensure proper on-time procurement of cannabis input materials needed for production
• Coordinates with finance to ensure proper quantities and timing of input materials needed for production
• Establishes relationships, negotiates, and sources cannabis input materials from IL cultivators and processors

Strategic Management

• Works with VP of Operations & COO to manage and develop team architecture and headcount planning
• Works with VP of Operations & COO to produce reports for senior leadership including inventory, production, payroll, and compliance-related subjects

Municipal & Regulatory Management

• Maintains primary contact responsibilities with state regulators and co-manufacturing partners, including phone, e-mail, etc.
• Stays updated with updates to regulatory requirements by regularly reading IDOA bulletins and outreach
• Coordinates with VP of Operations & COO to maintain adherence to state regulations

Qualifications & Requirements:

• 3 years of senior management-level cannabis operations experience
• Thorough understanding of practices, theories, and policies involved in business and finance.
• Superior verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Superior managerial skills including a proven track record of effectively managing a successful cannabis operations team
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• In-depth knowledge of diverse business functions and principles (e.g. supply chain, finance, sales, customer service etc.)
• Working knowledge of data analysis and performance/operation metrics
• Familiarity with G-Suite, MS Office and various business software (e.g. ERP, CRM)
• Experience with METRC and/or other Seed-to-Sale Traceability System
• Experience with Acumatica a plus

Experience the Fernway Advantage:

• Generous annual leave: 13 paid holidays and up to 3 weeks PTO (hourly and salaried staff alike)
• Comprehensive health coverage: company-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance
• Extra benefits: PSL, FSA, HSA, disability, parental leave, volunteer days, life insurance, 401(k) with match, discounted pet insurance, company discount program, and gym membership reimbursements, paid lunches

About Fernway

Fernway is an industry-leading cannabis brand that is actively expanding into innovative product categories and new state markets. Our unwavering commitment to premium quality cannabis products, exceptional customer service and strategic partnerships are what set us apart. We pride ourselves on nurturing an employee-first culture that has helped catapult us to the top of the industry. We are accepting, inclusive and diverse. We embody cannabis culture from top to bottom and act as one team. That is what has made us successful.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Fernway provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Fernway is dedicated to building a diverse team.