Job Description

Project Manager – Operations (Cannabis Industry)

Location: Santa Ana or Remote

Reports to: Director of Operations

Department: Operations

About Us

SVJ Brands has a diverse portfolio of B2B and B2C brands with a concentration in the cannabis/hemp market - One of our main brands, Sauce Essentials, is a rapidly growing multi-state cannabis brand dedicated to delivering high-quality, compliant, and innovative products. As a startup in a highly regulated and ever-changing industry, we move fast, adapt quickly, and thrive on collaboration. We are looking for a Project Manager – Operations who is a master of multitasking, thrives in organized chaos, and understands that asking the right questions is key to getting things done.

Role Overview

The Project Manager – Operations will be the critical link between our Creative, Marketing, Sales, and Operations teams—ensuring our product launches and state expansions stay on track, on budget, and in full compliance. This role requires someone who can juggle multiple projects across different markets, coordinate cross-functional teams, and navigate the complexities of state-specific cannabis regulations.

This is NOT a passive project management role. We need someone who can problem-solve in real-time, communicate effectively across departments and state partnerships, and drive projects forward in an industry where the only constant is change.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Timeline Management

• Oversee and maintain product launch timelines in Asana , ensuring all tasks, dependencies, and due dates are clearly outlined and assigned across departments.
• Track and manage product line extensions in existing markets, working closely with state partners, operations, finance, marketing, and creative teams to ensure smooth execution.
• Coordinate entry into new markets , overseeing all steps from compliance approval submissions and approvals to product rollout and market communication strategies.
• Ensure that all product launches stay on track , identifying and resolving potential bottlenecks before they impact timelines.
• Lead weekly Innovations Calls (Mondays) with department heads to review launch timelines, identify roadblocks, assign action items, and track progress.
• Assign and manage follow-ups for action items from these meetings, ensuring accountability and timely completion.
• Communicate any delays, challenges, or pivots to leadership, offering proactive solutions.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

• Serve as the primary point of coordination between Marketing, Creative, Operations, Sales, and Compliance teams for all product launch initiatives.
• Work with Marketing to align product launches and set activation dates with promotional campaigns, social media strategies, and market announcements.
• Collaborate with Creative to track packaging development for new innovations and ensure all assets are submitted within required deadlines in coordination with Operations and Finance.
• Partner with Operations & Supply Chain to track product inventory levels, production schedules, and distribution timelines.
• Maintain clear communication with state partners , ensuring they have up-to-date launch information and compliance approvals.
• Utilize Slack for daily cross-team communication and ensure key updates are shared in real-time.
• Document all meeting takeaways, action items, and deliverables to keep all stakeholders aligned and informed.

Compliance & Regulatory Submissions

• Manage and track all compliance submissions for product packaging , ensuring accuracy and adherence to state-specific cannabis regulations in partnership with our state production partners.
• Work closely with state production partner compliance teams and regulatory agencies to submit required documents and obtain necessary approvals.
• Stay up to date on state-by-state cannabis regulations , identifying changes that impact packaging, labeling, and product formulations.
• Maintain a compliance tracker for all packaging approvals, submission statuses, and revision requirements.
• Partner with Creative and Operations teams to implement compliance revisions efficiently while minimizing delays in the launch timeline.
• Ensure that any required documentation (COAs, ingredients lists, regulatory approvals, SDS/PDS documents, etc.) is compiled, submitted, and stored properly.

Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Refine and document best practices for project management workflows , ensuring efficiency in cross-team collaboration.
• Continuously optimize the use of Asana and Slack for streamlined project tracking and communication.
• Identify opportunities to improve launch processes , reduce bottlenecks, and enhance efficiency across departments.
• Train team members on best practices for Asana task management and Slack communication to maintain organized workflows.
• Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) for product launch workflows, compliance submissions, and cross-functional alignment.

What You Bring to the Table

Must-Haves:

✅ Project Management Experience – 5+ years in project management, preferably in a startup, cannabis, CPG, or regulated industry.

✅ Multitasking Mastery – Ability to juggle multiple projects, deadlines, and moving parts without dropping the ball.

✅ Strong Communication Skills – You ask the right questions, keep everyone in the loop, and can translate complex information into actionable steps.

✅ Proactive Problem Solver – You don’t just flag issues—you find solutions and drive them forward.

✅ Extremely Detail-Oriented & Organized – You live by timelines, workflows, and structured processes.

✅ Adaptability – The cannabis industry changes daily, and you’re comfortable adjusting to shifting priorities.

✅ Regulatory Awareness – Experience working in regulated industries (cannabis, alcohol, pharma, etc.) or a strong willingness to learn cannabis compliance.

✅ Tech-Savvy – Comfortable using project management tools (Monday.com, Asana, Trello, or similar), Google Suite, and communication platforms like Slack.

Nice-to-Haves:

➕ Experience working with state regulators, license holders, or multi-state operators (MSOs) in the cannabis industry.

➕ Background in supply chain, operations, or compliance within a fast-paced startup or high-growth company.

➕ PMP or other Project Management Certification (a plus but not required).

Why Join Us?

🌿 Work in a fast-paced, evolving industry where no two days are the same.

🌿 Collaborate with an innovative, tight-knit team that values communication and execution.

🌿 Make an impact by helping shape the future of a growing cannabis brand.

🌿 Opportunity for career growth in an industry with limitless potential.

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