Technical Manager, Product Innovation (vape, Concentrates, Specialty Products)

Technical Manager, Product Innovation (Vape, Concentrates, Specialty Products)

At Green Thumb, continuous innovation is a key focus area as we seek to create the best product experiences for our consumers. As the Technical Manager, Product Innovation – Vape, Concentrates, Specialty Products you will play a critical role in bringing our innovation strategy to life within our vape and concentrates categories. You'll bring bold, new-to-world concepts from idea to launch and support your team to drive the expansion of existing product lines across markets. This role requires strong project and people management skills, collaborative execution, a continuous improvement mindset, and strong technical knowledge of extraction methods, oil specifications, and vape hardware components, as we seek to deliver products that both delight our consumers and strengthen our market position.

This is a hybrid role, requiring 2 days per week in our Chicago office. You will also be asked to travel to our production facilities on a periodic basis (~1x/quarter).

Responsibilities

• Support the development of a multi-year innovation pipeline, grounded in category and consumer insights, industry trends, and local market needs.
• Own the full innovation process for all new vape and concentrates products; successful project delivery will include full implementation from project initiation to launch.
• Work collaboratively with your Director, Product Innovation – Smokable, Specialty to establish the business case and technical brief for all new innovation projects.
• Drive a clear and consistent feedback loop with Product Development to ensure alignment, transparency, and progress throughout the product development process.
• Develop launch timelines and track projects throughout the product launch process, inclusive of risk assessments and performance metrics.
• Lead the cross-functional development of new packaging structures, including the briefing process, coordination of feedback, and approvals with key stakeholders.
• Partner with Brand Marketing to ensure seamless transitions of creative deliverables throughout the new product development process.
• Collaborate effectively with our VP, Extraction & Formulation on new product concepts and the overall development process, including highly technical extraction processes and both oil and hardware specifications.
• Deliver highly technical feedback to external vape hardware manufacturers AND translate back in simplified terms to the broader team.
• Extrapolate highly technical data and specifications to inform overall product and project plans.
• Work directly with our production sites to ensure operational readiness ahead of launch.
• Support Technical Associates, Product Innovation – Vape, Concentrates, Specialty on the execution of all market expansion projects inclusive of business cases, market-specific formulations, packaging, and overall product launch process.
• Understand all state-specific regulations impacting both formulations and packaging.
• Coach, develop, and manage a team of Technical Associates, Product Innovation – Vape, Concentrates, Specialty.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of EITHER: 1) Cannabis lab/R&D experience – with a focus on extraction OR 2) Cannabis/nicotine vape hardware development experience.
• People management experience, including supervising, coaching, and developing direct reports.
• Strong technical knowledge of extraction methods, oil specifications, and vape hardware components; must be able to participate in highly technical conversations with both internal and external stakeholders and translate technical details effectively to our commercial, leadership, and downstream production teams.
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Strong detail orientation and organizational skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and remain focused and positive amidst shifting priorities.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization, including our executive team.
• Strong product acumen and cannabis knowledge.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies (formal certification like PMP a plus).
• Proficiency with basic Microsoft Office required; proficiency with project management tools, including Microsoft Suite, MS Project, etc., a plus.

Additional Requirements

• Must pass any and all required background checks.
• Must be and remain compliant with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry.
• Must possess valid driver's license.
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• Must be approved by state badging agency to work in cannabis industry.

Green Thumb Pay Range

$105,000 - $125,000 USD