Lead Budtender (Keyholder)
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Position Type: Full-Time / Part-Time (Flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays)
About Us
Candid Dispensary is a premium, brand-new cannabis retail destination opening in Jersey City, NJ. We are building a high-performing team dedicated to exceptional customer service, operational excellence, strict compliance, and elevated cannabis education.
Position Summary
Candid Dispensary is seeking experienced, motivated, and compliance-minded Lead Budtenders (Keyholders) to join our opening team. This role is ideal for a retail leader with a passion for cannabis and a proven track record of leading by example in a high-end retail setting. As a Lead Budtender, you will support daily operations, manage opening and closing procedures, supervise floor staff, and ensure an unparalleled guest experience while strictly maintaining compliance with all state regulations.
Key Responsibilities
Shift Leadership & Operations
- Keyholder Authority: Securely manage opening and closing procedures in strict accordance with company protocols and state security mandates.
- Floor Management: Supervise, coach, and support Budtenders during assigned shifts to maintain high energy, efficiency, and exceptional service standards.
- Team Development: Assist in onboarding and training new team members on product knowledge, customer experience standards, and operational workflows.
- Escalation Resolution: Handle customer inquiries, concerns, or escalations professionally to ensure a positive brand impression.
- Facility Security: Conduct end-of-day facility walkthroughs to ensure all cannabis products are locked in the vault or designated secure storage areas overnight.
Compliance & Technology
- Regulatory Oversight: Ensure flawless compliance with all New Jersey cannabis laws, including strict age/ID verification and daily state purchase limits.
- Seed-to-Sale & POS Management: Expertly utilize and troubleshoot the dispensary's POS and state-mandated tracking systems to ensure every transaction and inventory movement is perfectly logged.
- Digital Fulfillment: Monitor online ordering platforms to ensure fulfillment accuracy, prompt updates, and a seamless integration with physical floor inventory.
- Financial Accountability: Support secure cash handling procedures, regular register counts, and end-of-shift reconciliation.
Sales Performance & Brand Loyalty
- Drive Shift Metrics: Monitor shift-level sales goals and motivate the floor team to hit key metrics, such as average basket size and specific product attachments.
- Customer Retention: Actively promote and train the team on the dispensary’s loyalty program, capturing customer data to drive retention and repeat visits.
- Elevated Product Knowledge: Maintain an advanced, up-to-date knowledge of cannabis science, consumption methods, cannabinoids, and terpenes to guide consumers safely and confidently.
Inventory Control & Auditing
- Inventory Tracking: Assist with inventory management, including receiving shipments, restocking, routine cycle counts, and reporting discrepancies.
- Audits & Waste Management: Assist management with regular product audits and the compliant logging, tracking, and disposal of any cannabis waste or damaged inventory.
- Visual Standards: Maintain a pristine, organized, and beautifully merchandised retail floor that reflects a premium brand aesthetic.
Qualifications
- Legal Requirement: Must be 21+ and meet all state-mandated legal requirements to work in a licensed New Jersey cannabis dispensary (including passing required background checks).
- Experience: 1–2 years of retail leadership, supervisory, or keyholder experience preferred.
- Industry Knowledge: Previous cannabis dispensary experience is highly preferred, alongside a strong baseline of product knowledge and compliance awareness.
- Technical Skills: Familiarity with cannabis retail technology (POS, inventory management, or seed-to-state compliance software) is a major plus.
- Soft Skills: Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and multitasking abilities in a fast-paced environment.
- Attributes: Dependable, detail-oriented, professional, and driven by high standards.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and move throughout the retail floor for extended periods.
- Ability to lift and move up to 25 lbs.
- Capacity to assist with physical stocking, visual merchandising, and operational setup tasks.
What We Offer
- Competitive hourly pay.
- Ground-floor opportunity to grow with a brand-new, premium cannabis retail brand.
- A supportive leadership team committed to operational excellence, compliance, and guest experience.
Candid Dispensary is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
