Marketing & Food Labeling Compliance Specialist

Athletic Brewing Company • San Diego, CA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Athletic Brewing is seeking a versatile, passionate Compliance Specialist to make waves in the innovative craft beer market. As a pioneer in non-alcoholic beer, Athletic Brewing offers expansive opportunities in a rapidly growing company. This role is designed for a seasoned compliance specialist with expertise in food & beverage marketing regulations who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth, brand-driven environment. The individual must bring substantial knowledge regarding U.S. and international labeling, advertising, promotional marketing, and trade practice compliance as it relates to beer (alcoholic), non-alcoholic beer, and adjacent beverage innovation, serving as a point of guidance for the organization. They will partner cross-functionally with Marketing and Sales to enable bold, compliant growth while protecting the integrity of the Athletic brand. This position is responsible for ensuring Athletic remains best-in-class in responsible marketing within the evolving non-alcoholic beer space.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of experience in food & beverage labeling and marketing compliance
• Experience within beer, non-alcoholic beer, beverage alcohol, or emerging NA beverage categories.
• Deep working knowledge of: TTB regulations (as applicable to NA beer and related categories), FDA labeling requirements (including nutrition, ingredients, and allergen disclosures), FTC advertising and substantiation standards, including FTC Green Guides, State alcohol beverage control laws and trade practice regulations
• Demonstrated experience leading compliance review processes in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with Compliance department operations and management, and interaction with Marketing and Legal departments.
• Able to understand and implement legal advice.
• Experience partnering directly with Marketing and Sales on compliant growth initiatives.
• Proven ability to interpret complex regulations and translate them into practical business guidance.
• Experience advising on claim substantiation and marketing risk mitigation.
• Experience with trademark research and brand protection processes and able to perform clearance searches independently and report analysis and conclusions to stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in Regulatory Affairs, Food Science, Law, or related field.

Nice To Haves

• International food and beverage labeling/marketing requirements

Responsibilities

• Serve as an internal authority on TTB, FDA, FTC, state, and local alcohol beverage control (ABC) regulations, trade practice laws, and international regulatory requirements as they apply to beer, non-alcoholic beer and beverage products.
• Provide proactive guidance to Marketing and Innovation teams at concept stage, enabling compliant creative development rather than retroactive review.
• Review and approval of all labels, packaging, promotional marketing, advertising and related materials across domestic and international markets.
• Advise on TTB COLA submissions where required.
• Maintain internal systems for tracking label approvals, revisions, and version control.
• Research applicable allowable marketing claims and ensure claims are fully substantiated and properly documented.
• Ability to comprehend legal agreements and apply those terms to marketing efforts and compliance.
• Provide guidance to Sales regarding state-level regulatory nuances and trade practice considerations.
• Serve as an internal authority on sweepstakes, couponing, giveaways and related promotional activities under state laws.
• Review and approve fine print, terms and conditions, and sweepstakes rules and coupons.
• Perform trademark clearances and report to Legal.
• Evaluate trademark and copyright compliance and infringement issues.
• Participate in the research of regulatory risks, document analysis, and communication of recommended or required action.
• Protect brand equity through disciplined compliance governance.
• Independently research complex regulatory topics and translate findings into structured, actionable guidance, ensuring findings are accurate and cited.
• Build strong working relationships across all departments and with external stakeholders, working cooperatively, efficiently and competently, and serving all departments as clients.
• Request and track nutritional analyses of products.
• Provide day-to-day marketing compliance support and act as a key point of contact between Marketing and Compliance teams.
• Be able to identify legal issues for referral to the Legal Department while maintaining jurisdiction over compliance matters.
• Educate stakeholders on regulatory boundaries while maintaining a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Execute state reporting and brand registrations.
• Track and report Extended Responsibility Producer requirements as required in the necessary states and provinces.
• Review food ingredient manufacturer sheets for labeling compliance.
• Perform a broad variety of tasks in support of the role and responsibilities.
• Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

• Full health, vision, dental, life, 401k with 5% company match, and Paid Parental Leave
• In addition to Vacation and Sick Leave, all team members receive 12 paid days per year to dedicate to volunteering or professional development activities.
• We value internal mobility and team equity.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior