Compliance Manager - New Jersey

Department: Compliance

Reports To: Interim Head of Compliance

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: New Jersey (Hybrid - Frequent Travel Required)

Pay: $75,000 - $90,000

Position Summary

The Compliance Manager - New Jersey serves as the primary operational compliance resource supporting Ascend Wellness Holdings' New Jersey cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, wholesale, and retail operations.

This position is responsible for driving regulatory compliance, inspection readiness, internal auditing, operational risk management, corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), regulatory training, and continuous improvement across all New Jersey facilities.

The Compliance Manager partners closely with Operations, Legal, Security, Human Resources, Quality, Facilities, and Corporate Compliance to proactively identify regulatory risks, strengthen compliance culture, improve operational processes, and ensure all facilities remain inspection-ready.

In addition to regulatory compliance responsibilities, this position provides local Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) support by coordinating safety initiatives, assisting with OSHA compliance, conducting workplace inspections, supporting incident investigations, and promoting safe work practices in partnership with Corporate EHS.

Scope of Responsibility

This position provides compliance oversight for:

• Franklin Cultivation Facility
• Franklin Manufacturing Operations
• Packaging Operations
• Distribution & Transportation Operations
• Wholesale Operations
• Retail Dispensary locations (Fort Lee, Rochelle Park, Wharton, etc.)
• Additional New Jersey retail dispensaries as they become operational

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance

• Serve as the primary operational compliance resource for all New Jersey facilities.
• Interpret and communicate New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) regulations, guidance documents, notices, and enforcement actions.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of all applicable federal, state, and local regulations impacting cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, wholesale, and retail operations.
• Partner with operational leadership to integrate compliance into daily business practices.
• Monitor regulatory developments and coordinate implementation of regulatory changes.
• Conduct routine operational compliance walkthroughs.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, SOPs, and regulatory requirements.
• Identify compliance risks and recommend corrective actions.
• Escalate significant compliance concerns to Corporate Compliance and Legal.
• Promote a culture of proactive regulatory compliance throughout New Jersey operations.

Inspection Readiness & Regulatory Engagement

• Maintain continuous inspection readiness across all New Jersey facilities.
• Coordinate and conduct mock inspections.
• Perform inspection readiness assessments.
• Organize documentation and operational records required for regulatory inspections.
• Serve as the primary site compliance representative during inspections conducted by the NJ-CRC, OSHA, local fire officials, health departments, and other regulatory agencies.
• Coordinate responses to inspection findings in partnership with Corporate Compliance and Legal.
• Track corrective actions through completion.
• Maintain inspection records and supporting documentation.

Internal Compliance Auditing

Develop and execute an ongoing audit program including:

• Retail Operations
• Cultivation Operations
• Manufacturing Operations
• Packaging & Labeling
• Inventory Controls
• METRC Compliance
• Transportation Compliance
• Wholesale Operations
• Security Compliance
• Recordkeeping
• SOP Compliance
• Operational Best Practices

Prepare detailed audit reports, identify trends, and verify corrective action implementation.

Operational Compliance Programs

• Lead facility CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) program.
• Conduct root cause investigations.
• Perform operational risk assessments.
• Monitor completion of corrective actions.
• Identify recurring compliance trends.
• Recommend process improvements.
• Partner with Operations to improve compliance performance.
• Track compliance metrics and key performance indicators.

METRC & Inventory Compliance

Partner with operational teams to ensure compliance with all seed-to-sale requirements.

Responsibilities include:

• Inventory reconciliations
• Package creation reviews
• Manifest reviews
• Product transfers
• Product destruction documentation
• Waste management documentation
• Harvest reporting
• Production records
• Packaging and labeling verification
• Inventory discrepancy investigations

SOP Management & Training

• Partner with Corporate Compliance to implement new and revised SOPs.
• Verify SOP implementation at each New Jersey facility.
• Conduct compliance training for managers and employees.
• Deliver annual compliance refresher training.
• Coordinate NJ-CRC regulatory update training.
• Support inspection readiness training.
• Maintain training documentation and records.

Regulatory Documentation

Ensure required compliance documentation remains complete, accurate, and inspection-ready, including:

• SOPs
• Audit Reports
• CAPAs
• Training Records
• Incident Reports
• Regulatory Correspondence
• Inspection Documentation
• Inventory Documentation
• Operational Records

New Store & Facility Support

Support the successful opening and ongoing compliance of new New Jersey facilities by:

• Conducting pre-opening compliance readiness assessments.
• Verifying regulatory postings, required documentation, and operational controls prior to opening.
• Reviewing security procedures, inventory controls, SOP implementation, and recordkeeping for compliance.
• Assisting with operational readiness activities in coordination with cross-functional teams.
• Delivering compliance onboarding and training for new management teams.
• Performing post-opening compliance audits to verify continued adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Supporting facility expansions, renovations, and operational changes from a compliance perspective.

Environmental Health & Safety (25%)

Partner with Corporate EHS to support workplace safety initiatives.

Responsibilities include:

• Conduct routine EHS inspections.
• Support OSHA compliance initiatives.
• Perform workplace hazard assessments.
• Coordinate monthly facility safety inspections.
• Monitor PPE compliance.
• Support emergency preparedness activities.
• Assist with emergency response drills.
• Support incident investigations involving employee injuries, near misses, property damage, and environmental events.
• Conduct root cause analyses and develop corrective actions related to workplace safety.
• Promote safe work practices and regulatory compliance throughout New Jersey operations.
• Coordinate required EHS training in partnership with Corporate EHS.
• Monitor facility safety documentation and required inspections.

Cross Functional Collaboration

Partner closely with:

• Cultivation Operations
• Manufacturing Operations
• Retail Operations
• Facilities
• Security
• Human Resources
• Quality
• Supply Chain
• Corporate Compliance
• Corporate EHS
• Legal
• Executive Leadership

Reporting & Metrics

Develop and maintain reports related to:

• Internal Audit Results
• Inspection Findings
• CAPA Status
• Compliance Metrics
• Training Completion
• Incident Trends
• METRC Audit Findings
• Operational Compliance KPIs
• EHS Observations

Provide routine updates and recommendations to leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred in:

• Business
• Regulatory Affairs
• Public Administration
• Occupational Safety
• Environmental Health
• Public Health
• Biology
• Criminal Justice
• Related field

Equivalent professional experience may be considered.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a highly regulated industry.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in regulatory compliance, quality assurance, auditing, risk management, or operational co mpliance.
• Experience conducting compliance audits and regulatory inspections.
• Experience interpreting and implementing regulatory requirements.
• Experience leading operational investigations and corrective actions.
• Experience developing and delivering training.
• Cannabis industry experience preferred.
• Experience with METRC or comparable seed-to-sale inventory systems preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of regulatory compliance principles and audit methodologies.
• Working knowledge of New Jersey cannabis regulations.
• Familiarity with OSHA standards and workplace safety programs.
• Strong investigative and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational and project management abilities.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to influence operational teams without direct supervisory authority.
• High attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and compliance management software.

Preferred Certifications

• OSHA 30 (or ability to obtain within six months of hire)
• First Aid/CPR Certification

Travel Requirements

• Frequent travel (approximately 50-70%) between New Jersey cultivation, manufacturing, and retail facilities.
• Occasional overnight travel for corporate meetings, inspections, or training.

Physical Requirements

This position requires regular work within cultivation, manufacturing, warehouse, transportation, and retail environments. The employee must be able to stand, walk, climb stairs, wear required personal protective equipment, occasionally lift up to 40 pounds, and work in varying environmental conditions typical of cannabis operations.

Success in the Role

Within the first 12 months, the Compliance Manager is expected to:

• Establish a strong operational compliance presence across all New Jersey facilities.
• Maintain continuous inspection readiness for all cultivation, manufacturing, and retail operations.
• Implement a standardized internal audit program with measurable compliance metrics.
• Improve CAPA completion and reduce repeat audit findings through effective follow-up and partnership with Operations.
• Support the successful opening and integration of new New Jersey retail dispensaries.