Head of Cultivation

Location: Western Province, Sri Lanka

Full-time, Onsite position (Relocation/Visa Support Possible)

Our client is a licensed producer leading the charge in Sri Lanka’s newly emerging medical cannabis export industry. As one of only seven awarded licenses, they are positioned to set the gold standard for cultivation, processing, and global distribution of EU-GMP medicinal cannabis products. 

They are seeking a highly skilled Head of Cultivation to play a pivotal role in the company’s development, from facility build-out through to full-scale coperations. 

This is a rare opportunity to shape the foundation of a cutting-edge cannabis cultivation operation and drive long-term success in the rapidly growing global cannabis industry.

About the Role

This role requires a hands-on, experienced cultivation leader who will be deeply involved in every stage of the business—from facility build-out and equipment selection to developing cultivation protocols, scaling the team, and leading the first production cycles. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in high-tech indoor cannabis cultivation, environmental control, and compliance with global GACP and GMP standards.

This is a full-time, onsite role requiring full commitment, with relocation and work visa support available for the right candidate.

MUST have previous leadership experience in a large-scale (100k+ sqft) legal, GACP-regulated indoor cannabis cultivation facility. A working knowledge of GMP/euGMP is a strong asset. 

MUST be a strong people-leader, with demonstrated ability to teach, mentor and coach staff and team members at all levels of the organisation.

MUST be full-time onsite; relocation support & work visa will be provided for the right candidate. This is a permanent position that requires full-time dedication (no consultants).

Key Responsibilities

• Facility Development & Startup Leadership: Provide expertise in the design, construction, and setup of a world-class indoor cultivation facility, ensuring all systems and workflows are optimized from the ground up.
• Operational Planning: Develop and implement cultivation strategies, including production schedules, workflow processes, and quality control measures to ensure operational efficiency and scalability.
• Environmental & Climate Control: Manage and fine-tune HVAC, CO2 enrichment, dehumidification, and air circulation systems to maintain optimal grow conditions in a newly built facility.
• Lighting & Irrigation Systems: Oversee the selection, installation, and management of advanced lighting systems and precision fertigation strategies, including dry-back intervals and volumetric water content (VWC) management.
• Canopy Management & Plant Health: Implement advanced canopy management techniques, including pruning, trellising, and plant density control, to maximize yield and consistency.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Design and execute IPM strategies tailored to indoor environments, including biological controls and preventative treatments, ensuring compliance with medical cannabis regulations.
• Research & Development: Lead pheno-hunting initiatives and cultivar-specific improvements to optimize plant performance and expand the genetic portfolio.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure strict adherence to local and international regulations, including GMP and GACP standards. Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and maintain all necessary documentation.
• Hiring & Team Development: Recruit, train, and lead a high-performing cultivation team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous learning as operations scale.
• Budgeting & Procurement: Manage budgeting and procurement for cultivation-related supplies, ensuring cost efficiency and proper resource allocation during facility setup and ongoing operations.
• Hygiene & Safety Compliance: Establish and enforce strict hygiene, sanitation, and biosecurity protocols within the new facility.
• Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), perform process validations, and drive innovation to enhance efficiency and quality as the business grows.

Key Competencies

• Proven ability to develop and launch new cannabis cultivation operations from the ground up.
• Expertise in indoor cannabis cultivation, including high-density growing techniques in a GACP-regulated environment.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.
• In-depth knowledge of plant disease and pest management.
• Deep understanding of GMP and GACP compliance requirements.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to adapt to evolving industry regulations and technologies.
• Physical aptitude to perform hands-on cultivation activities as needed.
• Passion for precision cultivation and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Post-Secondary degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3+ years in a cultivation leadership role in a legal, large-scale indoor cannabis cultivation operation.
• Minimum of 3+ years in a leadership role hiring & managing diverse teams in a large-scale cultivation facility, cannabis preferred.
• Hands-on experience in facility design, build-out, and early-stage operations of large-scale indoor cannabis facilities.
• Proven experience operating & managing environmental controls, fertigation systems, and automation in an indoor facility.
• Strong expertise in all aspects of cannabis production, from propagation to harvest.
• Demonstrated knowledge of pest and disease management, troubleshooting, and remediation in indoor cultivation.
• Knowledge of the global medical cannabis supply chain and direct experience in a similar role in an established cannabis market.
• Experience in research-driven cultivar development and phenotype selection.
• Strong track record in regulatory compliance and quality assurance, including GACP, GPP and GMP.

🌍 Please Note: At Emerald Lane Recruitment, we truly appreciate every application we receive. Due to the high volume of interest in our roles, our team will carefully review all submissions and contact candidates whose skills and experience align with the requirements of the position. We are committed to ensuring a fair, inclusive, and respectful recruitment process that adheres to global HR best practices. If you don’t hear from us this time, please know that your application will be kept on file for future opportunities that may be a better fit. Thank you for considering a role with us!

Looking to explore a new job in the global cannabis industry? Find all our active roles at https://emeraldlanerecruitment.com/