Regulatory & Customs Spec, QHSSE NA

gategroup•Los Angeles, CA

2d•$95,000 - $105,000

About The Position

This role is responsible for managing and ensuring compliance with bonded storage requirements, liquor licensing laws, and a broad range of regulatory permits across North America operations. The position serves as a primary support liaison to regulatory authorities: including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and state, local, or provincial environmental agencies; to maintain compliance, mitigate operational and legal risks, and support business continuity. The role leads permitting activities, oversees environmental related project management, and reviews contracts and legal documentation for regulatory implications. This position ensures strong governance of bonded goods, controlled products, and regulated materials.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in law, Business Administration, Supply Chain, International Trade, Environmental Management, or related field required.
Equivalent work experience may be considered.
At least 3 years of experience in customs compliance, bonded storage management, regulatory permitting, or regulatory affairs, preferably within aviation, airline catering, logistics, or a similarly regulated operational environment.
Experience in inventory management processes and CBP regulatory requirements preferred.
Experience managing liquor licensing, regulatory permitting processes, and supporting regulatory audits.
Demonstrated experience in project management and reviewing contracts, service agreements, or legal documents.
In-depth knowledge of CBP regulations, bonded storage requirements, and liquor licensing laws.
Familiarity with USDA, FDA, and other relevant regulatory frameworks.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem solving skills.
Effective communicator with the ability to collaborate across regulatory agencies, internal teams, and all levels of the organization.
Proficient in Microsoft Office and compliance/permitting management systems.
Able to perform in fast paced, deadline driven, and operational environments.
Skilled at partnering in unionized settings and engaging frontline teams.

Nice To Haves

Licensed Customs Broker or related certification preferred.
PMP or equivalent project management certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of customs bonded storage operations, ensuring full compliance with CBP regulations and internal company policies.
Manage bonded goods inventory control processes, including FIFO requirements, CF 7512 documentation and closure, export timelines, and related record-keeping.
Ensure bonded cages (Customs Authorized Storerooms) meet all required security, access control, and inventory protection standards. Serve as the primary point of contact for CBP audits, inspections, verifications, and operational inquiries.
Manage and maintain liquor licenses across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring timely applications, renewals, and ongoing compliance with state and local regulatory requirements.
Develop, implement, and maintain processes for the handling, storage, and reporting of controlled substances in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Monitor and maintain compliance with local or state regulatory permits associated with catering, environmental oversight, waste management, and related operational activities.
Investigate permitting or compliance issues; coordinate resolutions with regulatory authorities, legal counsel, and internal stakeholders as required.
Track regulatory and legislative changes—including CBP, USDA, environmental, and licensing requirements—and communicate implications to leadership and operational teams.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on regulatory readiness, process standardization, system enhancements, and efficiency improvements.
Review vendor contracts, service agreements, and operational documentation to assess and ensure compliance with customs, licensing, environmental, and other regulatory requirements.
Collaborate with Legal, Procurement, Supply Chain, and operational teams to mitigate risk and ensure contractual obligations align with regulatory standards.
Develop and deliver training programs on customs compliance, bonded storage requirements, liquor licensing, and other applicable regulatory obligations.
Provide guidance to unit managers, compliance staff, and operational teams on best practices and evolving regulatory expectations.
Maintain accurate, organized records of customs documentation, permits, and licenses to ensure audit readiness and regulatory transparency.
Prepare compliance reports, dashboards, metrics, and risk assessments for senior leadership and regulatory agencies as needed.