Operations Manager – Cannabis Extraction & Packaging

About Arcata X

Arcata X is a licensed cannabis manufacturer in Arcata, California. We make Arcata Fire, a premium line of vape cartridges, all-in-ones and concentrates sold in dispensaries statewide through Kiva Sales & Service, and we run extraction for other brands. We are hiring one experienced leader to run the whole plant: the extraction lab and the packaging department.

The role

You will own production from incoming biomass to finished goods on the truck. Two teams, lab and packaging, each with an hourly lead, report to you. You will report to company leadership and have a direct say in how the plant is built.

What you will do

• Build and run the production schedule against a fixed weekly distributor pickup and toll client delivery dates
• Lead, train and coach the lab and packaging teams through their two leads
• Keep Backbone and Metrc accurate: every run, unit and labor hour recorded and closed on time
• Own quality: in-process checks, testing samples, and acceptance testing of incoming hardware
• Own safety and compliance: solvent handling, hazmat storage, and readiness for state and county inspections
• Write and maintain SOPs for every station; assess skills and build a training path
• Report weekly on output, on-time readiness, labor per unit and yield, and bring problems up with a recommended fix

What you bring

• 1+ year leading a regulated production floor (cannabis, food, supplement or pharmaceutical manufacturing). More experience earns more; see Pay below
• Hands-on extraction or post-processing experience (hydrocarbon, solventless or distillation) in a state-licensed facility is preferred and raises the starting salary
• A track record of scheduling production against fixed ship dates
• Working knowledge of Metrc or another track-and-trace system, plus an ERP or production system
• Solvent safety, hazmat storage and inspection experience
• Clear, plain communication; comfortable with spreadsheets and AI tools
• On site in Arcata five days a week; 21 or older and able to pass state cannabis employment requirements

Pay

$80,000 to $95,000 per year, salaried. The more experience you bring, the more you earn. Starting salary is set by years leading a licensed, regulated production floor:

• 1 to 2 years: $80,000 ($85,000 with extraction experience in a state-licensed facility)
• 3 to 4 years: $85,000 ($90,000 with licensed extraction experience)
• 5+ years: $90,000 ($95,000 with licensed extraction experience)

Paid time off, paid sick time and a 401(k).

How to apply

Apply with your resume and answer the screening questions. Strong candidates will be invited for a plant tour and a short scheduling exercise. Only experience at licensed, regulated operations counts toward pay, and it is verified with former employers.

Arcata X is an equal opportunity employer.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person