Rubicon Organics’ mission is to grow the best cannabis on Earth and for the Earth, and today we are doing just that out of our state-of-the-art indoor cultivation and processing facilities in British Columbia. As we expand our premium cannabis operations into our new Hope facility, we are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the end-to-end start-up of this site.

This is a hands-on, execution-focused leadership role overseeing the planning, coordination, and delivery of all activities required to bring our new Hope facility online on time, on budget, and in full compliance with regulatory and operational requirements.

Role Overview

The Project Manager – Hope will coordinate cross-functional teams, contractors, and internal stakeholders to deliver a fully operational facility ready for sustained commercial production. This includes project planning, facility commissioning, SOP readiness, team onboarding, compliance preparations, and transition into steady-state operations.

You will serve as the central point of accountability for start-up deliverables, working closely with Operations, Cultivation, Quality Assurance, Facilities, and Supply Chain leaders to ensure the site is operationally ready to meet Rubicon’s production and quality standards from day one.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Coordination

• Develop and maintain the integrated start-up project plan, including timelines, milestones, budgets, and resource requirements.

• Coordinate all site readiness activities like facility commissioning, equipment installation, utility verification, and operational system setup.

• Serve as the primary liaison between construction teams, contractors, and internal stakeholders to ensure smooth handoff into operations.

• Lead cross-functional readiness meetings and status updates, ensuring alignment and accountability.

Operational Readiness

• Oversee the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in collaboration with department heads.

• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training plans for site staff to ensure they are equipped for day-one operations.

• Partner with Cultivation, Processing, and QA leaders to ensure operational workflows are validated and compliant.

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure all start-up activities comply with Health Canada regulations, Good Production Practices (GPP), and WorkSafeBC requirements.

• Coordinate with Quality Assurance to prepare documentation, conduct readiness audits, and manage licensing/inspection requirements.

Budget & Resource Management

• Track start-up budgets and forecast resource needs; escalate variances and risks with mitigation plans.

• Manage vendor contracts and procurement timelines for equipment, materials, and services critical to start-up.

Risk & Issue Management

• Identify risks, constraints, and dependencies early; lead resolution plans to keep the project on schedule.

• Maintain transparent project reporting for senior leadership, including progress dashboards and KPI tracking.

Project Phases & Deliverables

Phase 1: Commissioning and Readiness (Months 1–3)

• Finalize start-up project plan with key milestones and risk register.

• Coordinate with construction/fit-out teams to ensure facility completion is aligned with operational needs.

• Develop procurement schedule for critical equipment, materials, and IT systems.

• Begin SOP drafting in collaboration with department leads.

• Oversee installation, commissioning, and validation of equipment and facility systems.

• Implement operational readiness checklists across Cultivation, Processing, QA, and Facilities.

• Manage Health Canada and WorkSafeBC compliance preparations, including documentation and inspection readiness.

• Lead recruitment, onboarding, and training for operational teams.

Phase 3: Ramp-Up to Steady State (Months 4-12**)**

• Support first production cycles, ensuring all operational and quality systems are functioning as designed.

• Monitor start-up KPIs (yield, throughput, quality, safety) and implement corrective actions where needed.

• Transition operational oversight to the Director of Operations – Hope and departmental leaders.

• Conduct post-start-up review and provide recommendations for continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in project management in a regulated manufacturing, agricultural, horticultural, or processing environment (cannabis experience is an asset).

• Proven success delivering large-scale facility start-ups, operational transitions, or complex capital projects.

• Strong understanding of commissioning, equipment validation, and operational readiness planning.

• Familiarity with Health Canada cannabis regulations, GPP requirements, and industry best practices preferred.

• Exceptional organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Proficiency with project management tools.

• PMP, CAPM, or Lean Six Sigma certification is an asset.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Agriculture, Operations Management or related field preferred.