Sr. Manager - Regulatory Compliance

About Grocery Outlet:

• Our Mission: Touching lives for the better
• Our Vision: Touching lives by being the first choice for bargain-minded consumers in the U.S.
• Our Values & Behaviors: Achievement, Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Family, Fun, Integrity & Service

About the Team:

The Grocery Outlet Store Support team is here to enable our Independent Operators and Aspiring Operators in Training (AOTs) to be successful Operators. We do this by providing world-class Project Management, Training, Communication, and Support services so our Independent Operators can focus on what matters: their families, business, customers, and communities. We build strong relationships with our Operators by being transparent and collaborative in all that we do and by looking for ways to improve the operator experience continuously.

About the Role:

The Sr. Manager - Regulatory Compliance is responsible for overseeing the entire business licensing process for the Company, including acquiring, renewing, and maintaining licenses across various jurisdictions, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations, managing a team of licensing specialists, and strategically planning to minimize risks and optimize licensing operations across the Company. They are also responsible for centralizing and streamlining the company's licensing and compliance processes. This role ensures timely and accurate licensing management across all business units, continuously adapting to regulatory changes. The Sr. Manager will collaborate with cross-functional teams, leverage technology to optimize workflows and create compliance reporting, and develop a knowledgeable licensing team that drives operational excellence.

Responsibilities Include:

• Licensing & Compliance Management
  • Research and document required operational licenses for the company.
  • Determine applicable rules, regulations, and business practices within state, county, and city jurisdictions.
  • Analyze and translate jurisdictional regulations to ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
  • Monitor and manage all business license requirements at the local, state, and federal levels to ensure timely renewals and accurate reporting.
• Application & Renewal Processing
  • Complete and submit business license applications, ensuring all supporting documentation is gathered.
  • Monitor, process, and track licenses and license renewals, ensuring timely submission.
  • Approve license applications and payment requests, ensuring reconciliation and accuracy.
  • Oversee and coordinate with the external CA ABC consultant to ensure timely acquisition of necessary licenses for store opening, including compliance with licensing requirements in other states as needed
• Issue Resolution & Audit Support
  • Assist in resolving licensing issues and troubleshooting escalated problems.
  • Respond to jurisdictional changes in procedures and update internal documentation accordingly.
  • Coordinate with external consultants and regulatory agencies to address compliance issues.
  • Conduct regular compliance audits to identify potential issues and implement corrective actions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Work with teams such as Construction Entitlement, Legal, and Accounting to meet licensing needs.
  • Meet regularly with internal departments to develop action plans and resolve compliance issues.
  • Act as a liaison between business units, ensuring that licensing requirements are understood and met.
  • Periodically the need of managing one or more team member may present itself and will require leadership
• Technology & Process Optimization
  • Develop and implement systems to track licensing activities and generate reports on compliance status and potential risks.
  • Oversee and optimize the License Automation System, coordinating with IT and Tax Systems teams for modifications.
  • Ensure service providers meet performance metrics and SLAs, providing feedback for continuous improvement.
  • Train service provider staff on licensing processes and manage escalations effectively.
  • Develop and implement processes to transition licensing responsibilities to Independent Operators after store locations are established.
  • Identify opportunities to streamline licensing processes and reduce administrative burden.
  • Analyze licensing needs across different business units and develop strategies to optimize compliance.
  • Collaborate with legal and finance teams to address complex licensing issues.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Build relationships with government agencies and licensing authorities to facilitate smooth communication and address licensing concerns.
  • Collaborate with internal departments, including legal, operations, and finance, to ensure alignment on licensing matters.
• Team Leadership
  • Supervise and mentor a team of licensing specialists, assigning tasks and ensuring efficient workflow.
  • Develop and implement training programs to enhance the team's knowledge of licensing procedures and regulations.
• This position requires moderate travel within the US. Candidates must be able to travel with short notice and have a valid driver's license if applicable.

About The Pay:

• Base Salary Range: $95,000 - $110,000 Annually
• Annual Bonus Program
• Equity
• 401(k) Profit Sharing
• Medical, Dental, Vision & More!
• Final compensation will be determined based upon experience and skills and may vary based on location.

About You:

• Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Legal Studies, Compliance, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in business licensing, compliance, regulatory affairs, or a related field.
  • Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage and motivate a team
  • Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations affecting business licensing and compliance.
  • Experience working with government agencies and regulatory bodies.
  • Proficiency in licensing management systems and process automation.
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret jurisdictional regulations and apply them effectively.
  • Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
  • Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with experience working cross-functionally.
  • Ability to troubleshoot licensing issues, navigate regulatory challenges, and implement compliance solutions.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in retail, grocery, or franchise operations.
  • Previous experience in project management or process improvement related to compliance.
  • Knowledge of ServiceNow or other workflow management tools.
  • Experience working with Independent Operators or franchise-based business models.

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