Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Trimming Technician

🎯 Role Definition

Welcome to the heart of cannabis quality! As a Trimming Technician, you are an artisan responsible for the final, crucial step in preparing our premium cannabis flower for the world. This role is far more than just cutting leaves; you are a guardian of quality, ensuring that every bud is perfectly manicured to preserve its potency, aroma, and aesthetic appeal. The ideal candidate is meticulous, patient, and has a deep appreciation for the plant. You'll be working in a fast-paced, regulated environment where your attention to detail directly impacts the final product that reaches our customers. If you're looking for a hands-on role where you can see the tangible results of your dedicated work, this is the perfect opportunity to grow your career in the cannabis industry.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Harvest Assistant / Harvest Technician
Entry-Level Agricultural or Horticultural Worker
Packaging Technician
Budtender with a strong interest in the cultivation process

Advancement To:

Trim Lead / Trim Supervisor
Post-Harvest Manager
Cure Technician / Curing Specialist
Quality Assurance (QA) Inspector

Lateral Moves:

Cultivation Technician
Packaging & Labeling Specialist
Inventory Control Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Meticulously hand-trim or machine-trim harvested cannabis flower, carefully removing excess fan leaves, sugar leaves, and stems to meet stringent company quality and aesthetic standards.
Operate and maintain both manual and automated trimming equipment, including scissors, shears, and commercial trimming machines, ensuring they remain clean, sanitized, and in optimal working condition.
Consistently maintain a high level of efficiency and speed to meet daily and weekly production targets without compromising the structural integrity, trichome preservation, or overall quality of the flower.
Accurately weigh, document, and track all trimmed cannabis product and corresponding waste material in accordance with state compliance regulations and internal inventory management systems (e.g., METRC, BioTrack).
Sort and grade trimmed cannabis buds based on size, density, structure, and overall quality, segregating A-grade, B-grade, and material designated for extraction.
Handle delicate cannabis flower with extreme care throughout the entire process to prevent bruising, compaction, or the loss of valuable cannabinoids and terpenes.
Perform detailed quality control inspections on finished batches, identifying any inconsistencies or imperfections and reporting them to the Post-Harvest Manager.
Adhere precisely to the company's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for both wet and dry trimming techniques to ensure product consistency and uniformity.
Expertly de-fan and break down harvested cannabis plants (bucking) to separate the flowers from the main stalks in preparation for the trimming or curing process.
Manage your personal trimming station, ensuring all tools are accounted for, sanitized daily, and that the area is kept clean and organized to prevent cross-contamination.
Monitor moisture levels of the flower during the trimming process to ensure it remains within the ideal range for curing and long-term stability.

Secondary Functions

Assist the Post-Harvest team with various tasks, including moving plants, hanging plants for drying, and preparing the dry/cure rooms.
Diligently clean and sanitize all processing rooms, equipment, and work surfaces at the end of each shift to comply with health and safety regulations.
Support the packaging team with weighing, bagging, and labeling finished products when required to meet shipping deadlines.
Accurately complete all necessary paperwork, batch records, and digital logs associated with daily trimming activities for compliance and traceability.
Participate actively in team meetings to discuss production goals, workflow efficiencies, potential challenges, and opportunities for process improvement.
Adhere to all company safety protocols and state-level cannabis regulations, including wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Communicate effectively with Cultivation and Post-Harvest leadership regarding any observed issues with plant health, pests, or disease discovered during trimming.
Assist in the collection of samples for third-party laboratory testing as directed by the Quality Assurance Manager.
Contribute to a positive and collaborative team environment, demonstrating a strong work ethic and willingness to support colleagues.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Manual Dexterity: Exceptional hand-eye coordination and the ability to perform fine, repetitive motions with precision and speed using trimming shears or scissors.
Cannabis Anatomy Knowledge: A strong understanding of the cannabis plant, including the difference between sugar leaves, fan leaves, colas, and the importance of preserving trichomes.
Trimming Techniques: Proficiency in both wet and dry trimming methods, with the ability to adapt to different cultivars and finished product specifications.
Equipment Operation & Maintenance: Experience operating and performing basic maintenance and sanitation on trimming tools and machinery.
Quality Control Assessment: The ability to visually inspect and grade cannabis flower based on established quality metrics like structure, trichome coverage, and trim consistency.
Compliance Software Proficiency: Familiarity with state-mandated seed-to-sale tracking systems such as METRC, LeafLogix, or BioTrack is highly desirable.
Basic Measurement & Math: Competency in accurately weighing product using digital scales and performing basic calculations for tracking and inventory.

Soft Skills

Extreme Attention to Detail: A meticulous and detail-oriented mindset is critical for producing a consistent, high-quality product and maintaining compliance.
Patience and Focus: The ability to remain focused and patient while performing repetitive tasks for extended periods without a decline in quality.
Time Management: Strong ability to manage one's own time and workflow to meet production quotas and deadlines efficiently.
Adaptability: Willingness to adapt to changing priorities, new techniques, and varying production schedules in a dynamic work environment.
Teamwork and Communication: Ability to work effectively as part of a team, communicating clearly and professionally with supervisors and peers.
Strong Work Ethic: Reliable, punctual, and motivated to contribute positively to the team's success and the company's goals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED.
Must be 21 years of age or older (or as required by state law) and able to pass a background check.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training or certification in Horticulture, Agriculture, or Cannabis Cultivation.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Horticulture
Agriculture
Botany

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0 - 2 years of relevant experience in a detail-oriented, manual labor role.

Preferred: 1+ years of direct experience in a commercial cannabis trimming or post-harvest processing facility is strongly preferred. Experience in a similar regulated industry (e.g., food production, pharmaceuticals) is also a plus.