Dispensary General Manager

The Dispensary Manager is responsible for the overall success and operational excellence of the dispensary. This leadership role requires a dynamic individual with deep experience in cannabis retail operations, a passion for team development, customer service, compliance, and financial accountability. The Manager will lead all day-to-day functions including staffing, training, inventory, compliance, sales performance, marketing coordination, and customer engagement.

The goal of this role is to drive top-tier customer experiences, increase sales, create a positive work environment, and uphold the highest standard of operational integrity, compliance, and professionalism in accordance with all local and state cannabis regulations.

Core Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Team Management

• Hire, onboard, train, develop, and mentor dispensary staff.
• Coach employees through performance management, professional growth, and disciplinary procedures.
• Create and manage weekly/monthly employee schedules
• Approve or deny time-off requests based on future staffing needs.
• Evaluate team performance regularly and provide feedback through one-on-one sessions and performance reviews.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture that supports retention and performance excellence.
• Ensure employees are compliant with SOPs, regulatory guidelines, and operational procedures.
• Address all employee concerns professionally and escalate to ownership when necessary.
• Coordinate team-building initiatives to encourage staff morale and engagement.

2. Retail Operations & Sales Performance

• Ensure daily retail operations run smoothly from open to close.
• Cover Budtender or Inventory roles as needed (mornings and during holidays or staff shortages).
• Ensure timely and efficient store opening and closing procedures including cash reconciliation, register preparation, and vault security.
• Monitor customer interactions to guarantee a friendly, efficient, and compliant shopping experience.
• Support staff in delivering excellent customer service and align team with the brand's vision and values.
• Drive sales by developing and executing strategies to improve customer conversion and basket size.
• Analyze sales data and KPIs; report on trends and make actionable suggestions to ownership.
• Develop and execute marketing and promotional strategies with marketing teams (e.g., BOGOs, events, new product launches).

3. Inventory Management & Metrc Compliance

• Oversee all inventory receiving processes, transfers, labeling, tagging, expirations, shrinkage, and waste.
• Maintain accurate inventory records in POS and Metrc; manage discrepancies immediately.
• Schedule and perform weekly cycle counts and monthly full audits.
• Manage vendor relations including order placements, negotiations, buyout terms, and delivery scheduling.
• Supervise product movement from vault to sales floor (all within vault) while ensuring compliance with state laws.
• Maintain pre-packaged inventory accuracy and coordinate with sales team to prevent stockouts.
• Ensure inventory system integrations with POS (hardware/software) are up-to-date and functioning correctly.
• Resolve any inventory discrepancies and report to ownership and compliance.

4. Compliance & Policy Enforcement

• Ensure strict adherence to all state and local cannabis laws and licensing requirements.
• Create, revise, and enforce internal SOPs in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
• Ensure all staff are regularly trained and updated on compliance standards.
• Conduct and oversee dispensary compliance audits, documentation checks, and reporting procedures.
• Assist Compliance and Ownership teams with preparation and execution of state audits or inspections.
• Maintain customer confidentiality and regulatory reporting accuracy.
• Monitor and report on trends in regulatory updates and local industry requirements.

5. Financial & Cash Management

• Perform, monitor, and report on all cash handling processes including opening/closing tills, vault drops, and safe counts.
• Ensure accurate recording and reconciliation of all sales transactions and cash deposits.
• Schedule and supervise cash pickups and deposits to financial institutions.
• Submit and manage weekly payroll in accordance with employee hours and time punches.
• Approve clock-ins and clock-outs and investigate discrepancies in payroll submissions.
• Track and report P&L (profit & loss) performance to ownership and provide monthly cost analyses.
• Monitor daily and monthly sales goals; identify opportunities for revenue and margin improvement.

6. Facility Management & Security

• Ensure the dispensary is clean, safe, and presentable at all times, including floors, displays, back office, and bathrooms.
• Maintain a regular cleaning schedule and ensure sanitization protocols are upheld.
• Ensure all physical equipment (e.g., POS terminals, security systems, ATMs) is operational.
• Resolve facility maintenance issues or coordinate with vendors/contractors for repairs.
• Uphold all physical security protocols including customer ID verification, access control, and staff safety procedures.

7. Customer Experience

• Provide customers with product knowledge, guidance, and solutions tailored to their needs.
• Resolve escalated customer issues and complaints promptly and professionally.
• Collect and report customer feedback to ownership and implement improvements.
• Drive customer loyalty and retention by creating a welcoming and informed environment.
• Collaborate with marketing to communicate promotions and engage customers through educational events and campaigns.

8. Technology, Reporting & Communication

• Utilize POS, Metrc, and inventory management software with full proficiency.
• Maintain the dispensary website in coordination with the marketing team—updating menus, prices, promotions.
• Ensure technology systems are up-to-date and functioning efficiently.
• Create and submit daily, weekly, and monthly reports on operations, sales, cash, and compliance.
• Communicate regularly with ownership regarding performance, staffing, risks, and opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of retail management experience in the cannabis industry.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Proven success in driving sales and operational efficiency.
• Experience with Metrc and cannabis POS platforms (e.g., Cova, Flowhub, Dutchie, etc.).
• Strong understanding of NJCRC (or applicable state regulatory body) rules and compliance protocols.
• Strong analytical skills for inventory and financial reporting.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physical duties for extended periods (standing, kneeling, etc.).
• Must have open availability including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Exceptional communication, organization, and time management skills.
• Knowledge of cannabis products, effects, strains, and dosing preferred.
• Must be able to pass check and be allowed to work in a licensed cannabis facility.

Work Conditions

• Fast-paced retail environment
• Must be available during high-volume periods (weekends, holidays, and product launch days)
• Must be adaptable to evolving regulations and business changes
• Expected to respond to operational emergencies outside of standard hours

Additional Information

• This is a contract position; benefits may vary based on agreement terms.
• Opportunities for contract renewal, promotion, or full-time employment may be available based on performance.
• Must adhere to all company confidentiality policies and code of conduct.