Technical Operations Associate Manager

Kiva Confections (www.kivaconfections.com) is a world-class cannabis-infused edibles company in California, the largest cannabis market in the world. Kiva's line includes Kiva Chocolate Bars, Terra Bites, Petra Mints, Lost Farms Gummies & Chews, and Camino Gummies. Our products are crafted from premium ingredients and thoughtfully combined with California cannabis. Since our beginning in 2010, our goal has been to create confections that redefine what a cannabis confection ought to be. By applying art and science, we ensure a deliciously consistent experience.

We have high-reaching growth plans as the legal market and consumer adoption expand. Key growth initiatives include ambitious platform innovation, outstanding marketing, geographic expansion, strategic partnerships, and more. We are resourced for this spectacular growth and looking for great people to help take us to the next level.

Job Summary

As Kiva's Technical Operations Associate Manager, you'll be responsible for product development activities including process development, optimization, scale-up, and training of other functional groups.  You'll also manage operational activities including technology transfer, troubleshooting, and process validation. 

This position will report to the Technical Operations Sr. Manager.

• Provide technical assistance, expertise, and solutions when troubleshooting existing product formulations and throughout all processes while maintaining product quality and food safety
• Support development of SOPs and technical documents related to manufacturing and quality control processes
• Assist in training production teams on new equipment and process operations
• Help manage the Technical Transfer process with the support of internal cross-functional teams: Technical Operations, QA, Operations, R&D, Marketing and Regulatory/Compliance
• Perform scale-up from benchtop to pilot to production for new product launches and product/process improvements with assistance from senior team members
• Maintain good documentation with high level of detail, closing out experiments in a timely manner and working with fellow downstream team members to maintain the process and quality 
• Providing technical mentorship, ​orientation, and training for the partner operations teams on new manufacturing processes and product/process improvements
• Troubleshooting technical issues with equipment, processing, or ingredients and developing solutions to get product back within specified range
• Supporting quality deviation investigations to identify root causes and define corrective and preventive actions related to product quality, manufacturing processes, and external testing protocols

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline and a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in process development, food manufacturing, operations, or relevant field required
• Minimum 3-5 years of direct hands-on experience in operations/productions, preferably in food or CPG manufacturing
• Knowledge of manufacturing methods, techniques, and related equipment
• Must communicate with management with timely, candid, and accurate information, options, and recommendations
• Great analytical, organizational, interpersonal, presentation, coaching, and leadership skills
• Ability to manage and organize multiple projects
• Willing to travel to manufacturing sites across the U.S.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• This position will require that the individual occasionally travel independently between various Kiva and partner locations. Lighting and room temperature at all locations are moderate.
• Due to the nature of our industry, the performance of this position will require the individual to spend time in facilities in which he/she may be exposed, either directly or indirectly, to potential food allergens including (but not limited to): peanuts, gluten, corn, milk, soy, and tree nut.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, turn, talk, and hear, smell, and taste.
• The employee may occasionally lift and /or move up to 50 pounds. This position will require that the individual occasionally travel independently among various company locations.

California Privacy Notice at Collection – Job Applicants

If you are a California resident we are required to disclose that we collect personal information about you in connection with your application for employment.

Categories of Personal Information Collected:

Identifiers (e.g., name, email, phone number, address)

Professional and employment-related information (e.g., resume, work history, references)

Education information

Background check information (where permitted by law)

Sensitive Personal Information (e.g., Social Security number, driver’s license or government ID number, if required for background checks or legal compliance)

Purposes for Collection:

We collect this information to evaluate your candidacy, communicate with you, conduct background checks (where permitted), comply with legal obligations, and maintain employment records.

We do not sell or share applicant personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising.

We retain your information for as long as reasonably necessary to evaluate your application, comply with legal obligations, and protect our rights.

For more information about how we collect, use, disclose, and retain personal information (and to learn about your California privacy rights) please review our full California Job Applicant Privacy Notice here:

If you are a California resident, you have the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.

To submit a privacy request, please contact:

talent@kivaconfections.com | 510.610.8968