Overview
Legal Personnel and Development Coordinator Jobs in Washington, DC at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Who we are:
BRĒZ is one of the fastest-growing beverages in the US and leader in the hemp-derived beverage industry. We’re on a mission to reduce human suffering and maximize human potential through a better beverage. BRĒZ promotes a sense of euphoria, relaxation, and social energy, through conscious compounds tailored to a lifestyle focused on balance, enjoyment, and mindful consumption.
Who you are:
Thrive in fast paced, dynamic startup environments.
Passion for functional wellness, non-alcoholic beverage, cannabis, mushrooms, and other adaptogenic or nootropic therapeutic compounds.
Embrace creativity and innovation, and always up for a new challenge.
Eager to join a team aiming to revolutionize the beverage industry and make a meaningful impact on the lives of our customers.
As a BRĒZ Compliance and Regulatory Manager, you will be reporting directly to Chief Operating Officer and is a key role responsible for ensuring BREZ’s products meet the highest regulatory and quality standards. This position oversees compliance with THC and hemp-derived regulations, develops and maintains quality assurance programs, and collaborates cross-functionally to support product development, manufacturing, and supply chain processes.
The role requires a strategic thinker who can adapt quickly to changing regulations, implement best practices, and ensure product safety and compliance across all operations. With a focus on innovation, quality, and operational excellence, this role will drive continuous improvement while mitigating risks, ensuring customer satisfaction, and supporting the company’s growth objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities
Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management:
Lead the review and interpretation of THC and hemp-derived regulations, ensuring BREZ remains compliant with all relevant federal, state, and local laws.
Develop and implement strategies to adapt to regulatory changes, ensuring continued market access and risk mitigation.
Serve as the regulatory subject matter expert, advising cross-functional teams on compliance matters related to product development, manufacturing, storage, and distribution.
Partner with legal, supply chain, and operations teams to develop and enforce regulatory policies and procedures.
Quality Assurance (QA) & Manufacturing Oversight:
Establish and enforce the BREZ Product and Manufacturing Standard, outlining specifications for product quality, manufacturing processes, and reporting requirements.
Oversee contract manufacturer and 3PL onboarding and management, ensuring compliance with regulatory and quality standards.
Implement and maintain a best practice Quality Assurance Program (QAP), ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance in all manufacturing operations.
Conduct site audits and plant trials to verify adherence to brand standards and resolve quality issues proactively.
Develop and maintain an end-to-end document control system, managing versioning, compliance records, and regulatory documentation.
Product Development & Continuous Improvement:
Manage the recipe file, formula updates, and product specifications, ensuring compliance with certifications such as Hemp, Organic, and Non-GMO.
Oversee shelf-life evaluations, potency testing, and additional product verifications throughout the product lifecycle.
Maintain and monitor a QA log, ensuring product issues are addressed with manufacturers and corrective actions are taken.
Develop and implement a consumer response system to identify, analyze, and resolve significant product concerns effectively.
Collaborate with the Supply Chain team to validate new ingredients, identify cost-saving opportunities, and onboard alternative suppliers while maintaining quality standards.
Strategic Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Provide strategic guidance on compliance, quality assurance, and product safety to senior leadership.
Lead cross-functional initiatives with R&D, supply chain, operations, and marketing teams to drive innovation and regulatory excellence.
Spearhead ad hoc projects related to operations, compliance, and quality, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
Work closely with our distributors and ensure they are selling BREZ compliantly with our products.
Work with each state and its regulatory agencies and ensure we are certified and compliant.
Work with our sales team, agencies, and contractors for all state-by-state regulatory updates.
File, manage, and execute all certifications for our brand and ingredients to ensure we are certified with the FDA and the regulatory agencies that approve certifications.
Create a workplace culture where people feel motivated and are excited to bring their best selves to work and commit to BRĒZ’s goals and objectives
Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent food/bev manufacturing experience preferred
5 + years of experience in operations, product development, and compliance
Highly proficient in Google Workspace, Slack, and other enterprise software tools
Organized, detail-oriented, ability to multi-task and balance multiple projects and requests at once
Strong presentation skills, ability to tailor messaging to the audience
Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both verbally and written.
Possess basic mathematical skills: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
Ability to work autonomously or with little oversight
Excellent relationship building, problem solving and critical thinking skills
Preferred experience working in controlled, regulated industries or the hemp-derived THC space
BRĒZ is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Title: Legal Personnel and Development Coordinator
Company: Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Location: Washington, DC
