Compliance Specialist in Kentwood, Michigan at Proper Beverage Company

About Proper Beverage Company

At Proper Beverage Company, we believe in doing things the right way - with integrity, precision, and a focus on quality. As a rapidly growing, locally owned business, our mission is to craft beverages that our partners and their customers can trust and enjoy. Guided by our vision to be a leader in the beverage industry, we're driven by innovation, efficiency, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Led by a hands-on CEO and supported by a dedicated leadership team, Proper Beverage is a place where hard work is recognized, career growth is encouraged, and every employee has the opportunity to make a real impact. We offer competitive pay, advancement opportunities, and a collaborative environment where people can thrive both personally and professionally.

Job Information

Job Summary

The Compliance Specialist is responsible for driving, administering, and continuously improving Proper Beverage Company’s food safety, quality, regulatory, and workplace safety compliance programs. This role owns the administration of food safety systems, environmental health and safety programs, audit readiness, regulatory compliance, corrective action management, employee training, and certification programs. The Compliance Specialist serves as the primary coordinator for customer, regulatory, certification, food safety, and safety audits while ensuring the organization maintains compliance with SQF, HACCP, GMP, OSHA, FDA, Organic, Kosher, and other applicable requirements. This position partners closely with operations, quality, sanitation, maintenance, and leadership teams to promote a culture of food safety, workplace safety, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.

Responsibilities

Compliance Program Administration

• Drive the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of company food safety, quality, regulatory, and workplace safety programs.
• Maintain compliance with SQF, HACCP, GMP, OSHA, FDA, Organic, Kosher, and customer-specific requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and update policies, procedures, work instructions, and compliance documentation.
• Monitor regulatory and certification requirements and communicate changes to leadership.
• Lead compliance-related improvement initiatives across the organization.

Audit Management & Certification Compliance

• Serve as the primary on-site coordinator for all customer, regulatory, certification, and internal audits.
• Lead audit preparation activities and maintain audit readiness throughout the year.
• Manage audit schedules, logistics, documentation, facility tours, and auditor interactions.
• Coordinate audit responses and ensure corrective actions are completed and verified.
• Maintain SQF certification requirements and coordinate annual recertification activities.
• Administer Organic and Kosher certification programs, including inspections, documentation, and certification maintenance.
• Support FDA, state regulatory, customer, and third-party certification inspections.

Safety Program Management

• Administer workplace safety programs, policies, and procedures.
• Coordinate safety inspections and facility assessments.
• Manage PPE, Hazard Communication, SDS administration, and safety recordkeeping.
• Maintain OSHA logs and required regulatory reporting.
• Coordinate Safety Committee meetings, documentation, and action item follow-up.

Incident, CAPA & Corrective Action Management

• Lead investigations related to workplace injuries, near misses, food safety incidents, customer complaints, audit findings, and regulatory observations.
• Manage corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes from initiation through verification of effectiveness.
• Partner with department leaders to identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions.
• Track trends and provide reporting to leadership on recurring issues and improvement opportunities.

Training & Employee Development

• Coordinate food safety, GMP, HACCP, allergen, quality, and safety training programs.
• Maintain training records and ensure compliance with certification and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct or facilitate employee onboarding related to food safety and workplace safety.
• Monitor recurring training requirements and coordinate refresher training activities.

Documentation & Record Management

• Maintain document control systems for food safety, quality, regulatory, and safety programs.
• Ensure revision control processes are followed and communicated appropriately.
• Manage record retention and organization of compliance documentation.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation across all compliance programs.

All other duties as assigned

Experience & Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Food Safety, Quality Assurance, Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Safety, Biology, Microbiology, Industrial Technology, or related field, preferred.
• 2-5 years of experience in food safety, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, EHS, safety administration, or a related manufacturing compliance role.
• Experience in food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, or other regulated manufacturing environment, preferred.
• Working knowledge of SQD, HACCP, GMP, FDA regulations, OSHA regulations, Organic certification requirements, Kosher certification requirements.
• Experience leading audits and maintaining certification programs.
• Strong understanding of CAPA management and root cause analysis methodologies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.