Program Manager

*Job Description
Job Title: Program Manager - Cannabis Program
Location: Taylorsville, Utah
Job Description:*
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Specialized Products Division is seeking a qualified individual to manage the Medical Cannabis program. The incumbent will direct, plan, control, and coordinate the operations of the cannabis regulatory team. The incumbent will be responsible for assessing program needs, designing, developing, and implementing new initiatives to meet these needs; establishing program goals, and using a variety of statistical reports and analytical tools to evaluate and control program performance and quality. The incumbent may act as the liaison representing the agency on various interagency committees and task forces which determine program policy and service delivery.

• Pursuant to Utah Code
• and 26-61a-111, this job includes duties that arise from or directly relate to the Utah Medical Cannabis Act. Duties may require conduct which is in violation of the criminal laws of the United States with respect to the manufacture, sale, or distribution of cannabis. As a condition of employment, candidates who are selected to fill this position will be required to sign an Acceptance of Duties Under the Medical Cannabis Act Acknowledgment Form.

*The Agency:*
If you would like to enquire more information about working for the Department of Agriculture and Food please click here.

*Responsibilities
Program Oversight and Management:*

• Manages the statewide medical cannabis program. Determines program goals and objectives and/or chairs committees established to support the program.
• Plans and manages projects and programs related to cannabis regulation. Writes (or discusses) project/program plan(s), recommendation(s), and/or finding(s).
• Monitors and evaluates operations, programs, processes, and practices for quality and effectiveness within the cannabis program; makes recommendations for improvement.
• Develops and coordinates plans and policies, resources, and mission as well as goals, vision, and expectations of the cannabis program; prepares and updates plans and priorities.
• Develops, evaluates, or reviews plans and criteria for a variety of projects and activities within the cannabis program; assesses feasibility of proposals.
• Oversee all ICS/AIMs projects related to the cannabis program.

Regulatory and Compliance:

• Approve and sign Letters of Concern (LoC).
• Review all violations & inspection reports.
• Approve remediation plans.
• Approve and sign all packaging submissions.
• Approve and sign change requests.
• Approve and inspect change requests.
• Conduct new facility and change in location inspections.
• Conduct compliance inspections, as needed.
• Review research applications.
• Review agent education plans.
• Review educational material/event submissions.
• Review advertising submissions.

Administrative and Operational Support:

• Oversee general cannabis program email communications.
• Respond to general and licensee questions.
• Approve new ICS/ AIMS (Salesforce) test scripts.
• Prepare and run weekly administrative meetings.
• Prepare and run weekly inspection meetings.
• Prepare and run monthly licensee meetings.

Employee Management:

• Supervises subordinate personnel including: hiring, determining workload and delegating assignments, training, monitoring and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary actions.
• Approve employee leave and telework schedules.
• Train new employees.
• Conduct monthly employee one-on-ones.
• Conduct quarterly employee goal reviews.
• Conduct annual employee goal reviews.
• Facilitate yearly employee goal development.
• Approve employee timesheets.

Other:

• Coordinates projects and ensures adequate administrative controls, quality, and procedural efficiencies.
• Acts as a resource for management and staff; provides technical support within areas of responsibility for the cannabis program.

*Qualifications
Job-Specific Knowledge & Technical Skills:*

• Comprehensive understanding of medical cannabis program operations and regulatory frameworks.
• Proficiency in using analytical tools and statistical reports for program evaluation and control.
• Knowledge of project planning, development, and implementation methodologies.
• Understanding of compliance monitoring and inspection protocols.
• Familiarity with ICS/AIMs (Salesforce) project management and related systems.
• Knowledge of administrative processes for managing communications, documentation, and meetings.

Communication Skills:

• Ability to articulate program goals, recommendations, and findings clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills for representing the agency on interagency committees and task forces.
• Aptitude for responding to diverse inquiries from licensees and the general public.
• Skill in preparing and presenting reports, plans, and policies to various stakeholders.

Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving Skills:

• Capacity to assess program needs and design effective initiatives to address them.
• Ability to evaluate operations, programs, and practices for quality and effectiveness and propose improvements.
• Aptitude for developing and reviewing plans and criteria for projects, assessing their feasibility.
• Capability to identify and resolve issues related to regulatory violations and compliance.
• Strategic thinking for coordinating projects and ensuring administrative controls, quality, and procedural efficiencies.

Interpersonal & Management Skills:

• Proven ability to supervise, train, and evaluate subordinate personnel, including hiring, delegating, and taking corrective actions.
• Leadership skills to chair committees and drive program initiatives.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and administrative tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to foster teamwork and facilitate effective meetings.
• A commitment to providing excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders.
• Adept at conducting performance reviews and facilitating goal development for employees.

Supplemental Information

• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.

Why You Should Join Our Team:
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food offers excellent benefits and is composed of dedicated individuals who embody a strong work ethic. If you are passionate about agriculture, this department provides an ideal environment. Furthermore, with the growing fields of Industrial Hemp and Medical Cannabis, the State of Utah presents exciting opportunities, and our programs are designed to support these industries while ensuring safe and affordable products for patients