Global Product Compliance Manager

ABOUT THE COMPANY: Gathr Outdoors, a portfolio company of Centre Partners, is a diversified global leader in designing and manufacturing outdoor products and sporting goods. Our core business segments are OUTDOOR (GCI Outdoor, Klymit, Rightline Gear, Cascadia Vehicle Tents & WaterPORT) and RECREATION (PrideSports, Pride Manufacturing, Golf Scorecards & MacNeill Engineering). Each segment provides industry-leading product development, design, and customer support.

At Gathr Outdoors, we believe experiences are always more powerful when spent together outside. We are Better Together, Passionate by Nature, Blazing New Trails & Rugged for a Reason! Come join us...Everyone is welcome at our camp!

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Global Product Compliance Manager is responsible for developing and managing Gathr Outdoors' global product compliance program to ensure products meet applicable safety, chemical, labeling, packaging, environmental, and regulatory requirements. This role establishes company-wide compliance standards and supports Gathr Outdoors' products across domestic and international markets.

Working cross-functionally with Product Development, Sourcing, Quality, Legal, Sales, and Marketing, this position translates complex regulatory requirements into practical standards and processes. The Global Product Compliance Manager serves as a key subject matter expert and provides risk-based recommendations related to product development, testing, suppliers, market expansion, and product launches.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Regulatory strategy & monitoring

• Build and maintain the global compliance framework covering product safety, chemical/restricted substances, labeling, packaging and environmental regulations.
• Monitor and interpret regulatory changes across key markets (e.g., CPSC/CPSIA, FDA, California Prop 65, state PFAS laws, TSCA, EU REACH, RoHS, GPSR, UK UKCA, Canada CCPSA/SOR, and other markets as we expand) and assess business impact.
• Translate requirements into internal standards, specifications and a restricted substances list (RSL/MRSL) for use by design, sourcing and suppliers.
• Advise leadership on emerging risks and recommend proactive changes to materials, designs or market strategy.

Product compliance & testing

• Define Gathr Outdoors global compliance standards (when regional requirements differ from each other.)
• Work collaboratively with internal product management, design and development teams to define compliance requirements for each product at concept stage and sign off before launch.
• Plan, manage and budget third-party lab testing; review reports and drive resolution of failures.
• Own product certifications, conformity documentation (e.g., CPCs/GCCs, EU Declarations of Conformity, technical files) and product registrations.
• Ensure accurate on-product, packaging and e-commerce labeling, warnings, care content and country-of-origin marking.

Supplier & supply chain compliance

• Partner with sourcing to onboard suppliers and factories against compliance, chemical management and documentation requirements.
• Collect and verify supplier declarations, bills of materials and material test data.
• Support supply-chain due diligence obligations such as forced-labor/UFLPA traceability and conflict minerals, in coordination with trade and legal teams.
• Budget, plan and manage supplier audits. Working with Sourcing, develop corrective action plans when necessary.

Retailer & customer requirements

• Manage compliance requirements from major retail and e-commerce partners (e.g., Amazon, big-box and specialty outdoor retailers), including portal submissions and audits.
• Respond to customer, retailer and regulator inquiries related to product compliance.

Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) & sustainability reporting

• Gather, validate and maintain product- and supply-chain-level ESG data (e.g., material composition, chemical management, recycled content, packaging, carbon and social compliance data).
• Prepare and support ESG reporting for internal leadership and external stakeholders, aligned with relevant frameworks and disclosure requirements as applicable (e.g., GHG Protocol, CDP, EU CSRD for in-scope partners).
• Partner with the sales team to respond to customer ESG initiatives, including sustainability questionnaires, supplier scorecards, platform submissions (e.g., Higg Index, EcoVadis) and requests for certifications or supporting documentation.
• Keep a library of approved ESG data, statements and claims so responses to customers are consistent, accurate and quick.
• Review sustainability and environmental marketing claims for accuracy and compliance with guidance such as the FTC Green Guides and EU green claims rules.

Risk management, incidents & recalls

• Lead investigation of product safety incidents and non-conformances; drive root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Coordinate regulatory reporting (e.g., CPSC Section 15(b)) and recall execution with legal and leadership.

Systems, training & reporting

• Own compliance documentation systems and records; improve processes and tools (e.g., PLM or compliance software).
• Train product, sourcing, marketing and sales teams on requirements and best practices.
• Report compliance KPIs, risks and testing spend to leadership.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry, materials science, textiles, environmental science or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of product compliance, regulatory affairs or product safety experience in consumer products; outdoor, sporting goods, apparel, footwear, furniture or juvenile products strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of U.S. consumer product regulations (CPSC/CPSIA, FHSA, Prop 65, state chemical laws) and EU/UK frameworks (GPSR, REACH, CE/UKCA).
• Hands-on experience managing third-party testing labs and interpreting test reports.
• Experience working with overseas suppliers and factories, particularly in Asia.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to juggle many SKUs and deadlines at once.
• Clear written and verbal communicator who can explain technical requirements to non-technical partners.
• Sound judgment, high attention to detail and comfort making risk-based recommendations.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with PFAS regulations and phase-out programs, especially for textiles, coatings and outdoor gear.
• Familiarity with regulations for categories such as flammability (e.g., CPAI-84 for tents), inflatables, electrical/battery products, food-contact materials or fuel-burning appliances.
• Knowledge of packaging and extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, and sustainability or material certifications (e.g., bluesign, OEKO-TEX, GRS).
• Experience with EU, Canadian, Australian/New Zealand and/or Asian market requirements.
• Experience with PLM or compliance management platforms.
• Professional certification such as RAC, CQE, or product safety credentials.
• Prior people leadership experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Office-based role with occasional time in warehouse or lab settings; may involve handling product samples.
• Domestic and international travel required.
• Occasional work outside standard hours to coordinate with overseas suppliers and partners.

Equal opportunity statement

Gathr Outdoors is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request (you can email GathrHR@GathrOutdoors.com). The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized because of such a request.