Compliance Specialist

Company Description

About Avery Dennison

Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company. We are Making Possible™ products and solutions that help advance the industries we serve, providing branding and information solutions that optimize labor and supply chain efficiency, reduce waste, advance sustainability, circularity and transparency, and better connect brands and consumers. We design and develop labeling and functional materials, radio-frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, software applications that connect the physical and digital, and offerings that enhance branded packaging and carry or display information that improves the customer experience. Serving industries worldwide — including home and personal care, apparel, general retail, e-commerce, logistics, food and grocery, pharmaceuticals and automotive — we employ approximately 35,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Our reported sales in 2024 were $8.8 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.

AVERY DENNISON IS PROUD TO BE CERTIFIED GREAT PLACE TO WORK IN AUSTRALIA, CHINA, INDIA, INDONESIA,  SINGAPORE, THAILAND AND VIETNAM, AND RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR IN ASIA IN GREATER CHINA AND VIETNAM.

Job Description

About Your Role

Join our growing manufacturing team in Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia! We're seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Compliance Specialist to ensure our operations and products meet stringent local and international standards for social responsibility and product safety.

This role is critical in upholding our company's commitment to ethical practices, legal compliance, and delivering high-quality, safe products to our customers worldwide. You'll play a pivotal role in safeguarding our reputation, mitigating risks, and fostering a culture of compliance throughout our factory.

Your Main Responsibilities Will Include

• Social Compliance Management:

• Implement, monitor, and maintain the company's social compliance programs in accordance with relevant labor laws (e.g., Malaysia's Employment Act 1955), ethical sourcing guidelines (e.g., Responsible Business Alliance - RBA, or client-specific codes of conduct), and human rights standards.
• Conduct regular internal social compliance audits, inspections, and risk assessments within the factory.
• Prepare for and facilitate external social compliance audits (e.g., SMETA, BSCI, RBA audits) conducted by customers or third-party auditors.
• Develop, implement, and track corrective action plans (CAPAs) for any non-conformances identified during audits, ensuring timely closure.
• Provide training and awareness programs to employees and management on social compliance policies, labor rights, and ethical workplace practices.
• Manage and investigate worker grievances related to social compliance issues, ensuring fair and timely resolution.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations regarding foreign worker employment, living conditions, and welfare.

• Product Compliance Management:

• Identify, interpret, and ensure compliance with relevant local and international product regulations, standards, and directives (e.g., RoHS, REACH, Conflict Minerals, Prop 65, CE, FCC, UL, etc.) applicable to the company's manufactured products.
• Work closely with Engineering, R&D, Purchasing, and Production teams to ensure new and existing products meet all necessary compliance requirements from design to final shipment.
• Manage and maintain product compliance documentation, declarations of conformity, technical files, and material declarations (MDS) from suppliers.
• Support the purchasing team in vetting suppliers for product compliance capabilities and obtaining necessary certifications/declarations for raw materials and components.
• Respond to customer inquiries and regulatory requests regarding product compliance information and certifications.
• Stay updated on evolving product compliance regulations and standards globally, assessing their impact on the company's products and operations.

• Risk Management & Continuous Improvement:

• Conduct regular risk assessments related to social and product compliance, identifying potential areas of non-compliance and implementing preventive measures.
• Collaborate with various departments (HR, EHS, Quality, Production, Engineering, Supply Chain) to integrate compliance requirements into daily operations and processes.
• Develop and update internal policies, procedures, and guidelines to reflect current social and product compliance requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance overall compliance performance and efficiency.
• Implement, monitor, and maintain the company's social compliance programs in accordance with relevant labor laws (e.g., Malaysia's Employment Act 1955), ethical sourcing guidelines (e.g., Responsible Business Alliance - RBA, or client-specific codes of conduct), and human rights standards.
• Conduct regular internal social compliance audits, inspections, and risk assessments within the factory.
• Prepare for and facilitate external social compliance audits (e.g., SMETA, BSCI, RBA audits) conducted by customers or third-party auditors.
• Develop, implement, and track corrective action plans (CAPAs) for any non-conformances identified during audits, ensuring timely closure.
• Provide training and awareness programs to employees and management on social compliance policies, labor rights, and ethical workplace practices.
• Manage and investigate worker grievances related to social compliance issues, ensuring fair and timely resolution.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations regarding foreign worker employment, living conditions, and welfare.
• Identify, interpret, and ensure compliance with relevant local and international product regulations, standards, and directives (e.g., RoHS, REACH, Conflict Minerals, Prop 65, CE, FCC, UL, etc.) applicable to the company's manufactured products.
• Work closely with Engineering, R&D, Purchasing, and Production teams to ensure new and existing products meet all necessary compliance requirements from design to final shipment.
• Manage and maintain product compliance documentation, declarations of conformity, technical files, and material declarations (MDS) from suppliers.
• Support the purchasing team in vetting suppliers for product compliance capabilities and obtaining necessary certifications/declarations for raw materials and components.
• Respond to customer inquiries and regulatory requests regarding product compliance information and certifications.
• Stay updated on evolving product compliance regulations and standards globally, assessing their impact on the company's products and operations.
• Conduct regular risk assessments related to social and product compliance, identifying potential areas of non-compliance and implementing preventive measures.
• Collaborate with various departments (HR, EHS, Quality, Production, Engineering, Supply Chain) to integrate compliance requirements into daily operations and processes.
• Develop and update internal policies, procedures, and guidelines to reflect current social and product compliance requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance overall compliance performance and efficiency.

Qualifications

WHAT WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR IN YOU

• Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Safety and Health, Engineering, Law, Business Administration, or a related technical field.

• Experience:

• Minimum of 5 - 8 years of proven experience in social compliance, product compliance, quality assurance, or a related field within a manufacturing environment, preferably in electronics or a similar industry.
• Demonstrable experience with major social compliance standards (e.g., RBA, SMETA, BSCI) and/or product regulations (e.g., RoHS, REACH).

• Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of Malaysian labor laws (e.g., Employment Act 1955, OSHA).
• Familiarity with international social and environmental standards and auditing protocols.
• Knowledge of global product safety and environmental regulations relevant to manufacturing (e.g., chemical restrictions, electrical safety).

• Skills:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to identify risks and develop effective solutions.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with diverse teams, external auditors, and government agencies.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in English and Bahasa Malaysia, both written and verbal. Ability to communicate in other local dialects or a third language is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• Attributes:

• High level of integrity, ethics, and attention to detail.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing regulatory landscapes.
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Occupational Safety and Health, Engineering, Law, Business Administration, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 5 - 8 years of proven experience in social compliance, product compliance, quality assurance, or a related field within a manufacturing environment, preferably in electronics or a similar industry.
• Demonstrable experience with major social compliance standards (e.g., RBA, SMETA, BSCI) and/or product regulations (e.g., RoHS, REACH).
• Strong understanding of Malaysian labor laws (e.g., Employment Act 1955, OSHA).
• Familiarity with international social and environmental standards and auditing protocols.
• Knowledge of global product safety and environmental regulations relevant to manufacturing (e.g., chemical restrictions, electrical safety).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to identify risks and develop effective solutions.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with diverse teams, external auditors, and government agencies.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency in English and Bahasa Malaysia, both written and verbal. Ability to communicate in other local dialects or a third language is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• High level of integrity, ethics, and attention to detail.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing regulatory landscapes.

If you are a driven compliance professional looking to make a tangible impact in a dynamic manufacturing setting, we encourage you to apply!

Additional Information

AVERY DENNISON IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or other protected status.