Position Reports To: Compliance Manager
Direct Reports: None
FLSA status: Full time,Exempt
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Position Purpose:
The Compliance Officer / Paralegal is responsible for supporting Strong Spirits' legal, regulatory, compliance, licensing, permitting, and contract administration functions. This position serves as a key resource across the organization and works closely with Finance, Client Services, Operations, Quality, Safety, Human Resources, and Leadership to ensure the Company maintains compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, customer requirements, and contractual obligations.
This role is responsible for managing regulatory filings, licenses, permits, corporate records, contract administration, compliance reporting, legal research, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance initiatives while supporting the Company's growth and customer requirements. The Compliance Officer / Paralegal will assist departments in identifying compliance risks, preparing for customer and regulatory audits, maintaining required documentation, and implementing processes that support operational excellence and regulatory compliance throughout the organization.
Core Responsibilities
Regulatory Compliance & Licensing
- Manage and maintain federal, state, and local licenses, permits, registrations, and regulatory filings.
- Monitor compliance calendars and ensure timely completion of filings, renewals, and reporting requirements.
- Research and monitor changes in laws, regulations, and industry standards affecting the Company.
- Assist with compliance efforts related to TTB, FDA, OSHA, state ABC agencies, and other regulatory bodies.
- Prepare and maintain compliance documentation required by regulatory agencies.
- Coordinate responses to regulatory inquiries, audits, inspections, and information requests.
- Support regulatory reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
Compliance Program Management
- Partner with all departments to identify compliance risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Assist with development, implementation, and maintenance of compliance programs, procedures, and tracking systems.
- Conduct internal compliance reviews and assessments.
- Monitor corrective actions and follow-up activities resulting from audits, inspections, or compliance reviews.
- Assist with employee compliance training and awareness initiatives.
- Serve as a compliance resource for employees and leadership.
Audit & Inspection Readiness
- Assist departments in preparing for customer audits, regulatory inspections, certifications, and internal audits.
- Coordinate collection and organization of required documentation and records.
- Track audit findings and corrective action plans.
- Maintain audit readiness documentation and compliance records.
- Support customer visits, audits, and regulatory inspections.
Contract Administration & Legal Support
- Review, maintain, and administer customer, vendor, supplier, service, and confidentiality agreements.
- Track contract obligations, renewal dates, notice requirements, and key deliverables.
- Assist with contract review, revisions, administration, and document management.
- Coordinate with outside legal counsel when necessary.
- Conduct legal and regulatory research.
- Maintain contract databases and legal records.
Commercialization & Client Services Support
- Support customer onboarding and contract administration activities.
- Assist with compliance reviews related to new products, customers, and business opportunities.
- Support commercialization projects by researching regulatory and compliance requirements.
- Review customer requirements and assist with internal communication and implementation.
- Assist with labeling, distribution, and regulatory requirements related to new products and customer projects.
Corporate Governance & Documentation
- Maintain corporate records, business entity documentation, and compliance files.
- Assist with Secretary of State filings, annual reports, and other corporate filings.
- Support document retention and recordkeeping requirements.
- Maintain organized compliance, legal, and corporate records.
Cross-Functional Support
- Partner with Finance, Operations, Quality, Safety, Human Resources, Client Services, and Leadership to support compliance initiatives.
- Assist departments with interpretation of regulatory and contractual requirements.
- Participate in continuous improvement projects and compliance initiatives.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements
- An Associate's degree in Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, or a related field, or a paralegal certification from an accredited program is required; a Bachelor's degree is preferred
- A minimum of three years of experience in compliance, regulatory affairs, contract administration, legal support, auditing, quality systems, or a related field. Experience in the alcohol beverage industry or another highly regulated industry is preferred.
- Three (3) years of experience in compliance, legal support, regulatory affairs, contract administration, auditing, quality systems, or a related field.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.
- Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues across various departments facilitate their operations.
- Demonstrated organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to critically evaluate information and make informed decisions.
- Ability to manage a considerable workload and prioritize multiple projects with competing deadlines.
- Proven experience in delivering exceptional customer service.
- Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy is required.
- Experience in the alcohol beverage industry is valued but not required.
Preferred
- Bachelor's Degree.
- Paralegal certification.
- Experience in the distilled spirits, alcohol beverage, manufacturing, food production, or other highly regulated industry.
- Experience supporting product commercialization, product launches, labeling reviews, or regulatory approval processes.
- Knowledge of TTB regulations, FDA beverage alcohol jurisdiction, state alcohol beverage regulations, licensing and permitting requirements, and the three-tier distribution system.
- DISCUS certifications strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting audits, inspections, licensing, permitting, or regulatory reporting.
- Experience reviewing and administering commercial contracts.
- Experience supporting product commercialization efforts and customer onboarding activities.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
- Fast paced, warehouse and industrial environment.
- Exposure to hazardous materials such as alcohol and chemicals, loud noise, and moderate heat/cold.
- Essential physical requirements, such as frequent climbing, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching , crawling, reaching and lifting, occasionally above shoulders.
- Physical effort/lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Able to lift, carry and pull 50 pounds or less.
- Able to kneel, squat, bend, and climb.
- Able to work around alcohol and other flammable liquids.
Pay: $60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
