Lead Budtender - The Cowlitz Indian Tribe

POSITION TITLE: Lead Budtender
DEPARTMENT: Cannabis Dispensary
LOCATION: Ridgefield, WA
REPORTS TO: General Manager
FLSA STATUS: Nonexempt
WAGE RANGE: $20.98 - $24.13 per hour

Closing Date: November 12, 2024

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary

Under direct supervision of the General Manager, provides support to and leads the Budtender team in partnership with the management team. Executes, models, and leads the Budtenders in providing a world class customer experience by supporting clear goals, comprehensive product knowledge, maintaining high visual presentation standards, and driving repeat business through the Q’anapsu loyalty program. Honors and represents the mission, vision, values of the Cannabis Dispensary.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Provides constructive feedback in an efficient, meaningful, and timely manner and welcomes constructive feedback thoughtfully and graciously.
• Maintains extensive product knowledge and understanding of strains, genetics, effects, and cannabis terminology, including familiarity with flowers, edibles, concentrates, and all other product types.
• Supports associate onboarding programs, training modules, and ongoing leadership development.
• Measures and follows up regularly with all managers and employees on Q’anapsu customer experience and customer first culture, using appropriate tools such as online reviews, customer satisfaction surveys, and key KPIs.
• Collaborates with GM and other co-managers to set clear sales volume and KPI goals.
• Collects payment, dispenses accurate change, and provides customers with purchase receipts for cannabis products; handles refunds and exchanges of products.
• Utilizes a Point-of-Sale system to maintain customer transactions.
• Always maintains the security of all funds in register, including making timely cash drops to maintain the cash drawer below the maximum level of funds; secures monies and financial transactions in safe.
• Completes opening and closing responsibilities, ensuring adherence to specified procedures.
• Updates digital menus and tools; conducts inventory; ensures that sales floor is adequately stocked.
• Ensures the cleanliness and organization of all store areas in accordance with established policies, procedures, health, and sanitation regulations.
• Exhibits a professional appearance, greets customers with a welcoming and professional manner, and maintains a friendly, cheerful, and courteous demeanor always.
• Communicates clearly and openly with customers; explains and educates customers on different cannabis-related products, including effects and safe usage; and advises customers on suitable cannabis products based on the customers’ needs, preferences, budget, and personal reactions to different strains of cannabis.
• Adheres to bud tending procedures, ensuring not to exceed daily limits per patient or recreational customer.
• Correctly weighs, packages, and labels cannabis products.
• Verifies identification and legal age for all customers.
• Maintains current knowledge of all dispensary products and stays abreast of developments in cannabis laws, industry trends, and products.
• Coordinates with Assistant Manager and Inventory Coordinator to ensure compliance with all dispensary procedures; ensures current compliance with all tribal rules and regulations and with all legal and statutory requirements.
• Addresses customer complaints, concerns, and questions and refers them to the supervisor as appropriate.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of traditional forms of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of cannabis products and strains, medicinal benefits, methods of consumption, and effects of products.
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Skill in treating internal and external customers with tact, courtesy, and respect.
• Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs in a Windows environment.
• Skilled in operating a cash register, handling cash, and effectively opening and closing the register.
• Ability to adapt to new rules, regulations, products, systems, and team members.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds; ability to present a professional, positive demeanor with customers and staff.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to be reliable, prompt, and honest.
• Ability to lead the work of others and provide fair and thoughtful feedback.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Two years of experience supervising training, quality, and customer service in a retail environment.
• One year of cannabis retail experience is preferred.
• Experience working with a Point-of-Sale system and processing cash transactions is preferred.
• A combination of relevant education and related work experience may be considered.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• A valid driver’s license is required when driving vehicles for work-related purposes.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening/investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and Q’anápsu Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to Q’anápsu’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements

• Pre-employment drug screen (cannabis is excluded).
• Reference checks, education, and employment verification.
• State and tribal criminal history checks.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to lift to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include clarity of vision at close distances.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed indoors in a retail setting, under artificial lighting, where employees may have frequent contact with the public. At times, work may be performed in a “pop-up” building, creating close quarters, where traditional heating and cooling may not maintain a normal office temperature, and temperatures may become hotter or cooler depending on the outside weather. Exposure to dust, fumes, chemicals, airborne particles, and secondhand smoke. An employee is required to stand for eight or more hours. Extended work hours, including evenings, holidays, and weekends, are required. Tight time constraints and multiple demands are common.

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***