Manager, Compliance Program Manager

About the Team

We are the Product Quality Department. We ensure that PetSmart products are safe, compliant and perform well for our customers and their pets. We do this by building and managing product standards, fostering a healthy supplier quality management program, and driving product & process improvements.

About the Location

Collaborative Work Environment:At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

About the Job

Position Summary

The Compliance Program Manager leads the execution of the Proprietary Brands (PB) compliance program obligations by establishing policies, procedures, and cross- functional collaboration with Legal, Sourcing, Brands, Merch, QA, etc. This role is responsible for ensuring that the procedures supporting the introduction and continued sale of PB products are managed effectively, executed on schedule, and aligned with applicable Legal regulatory guidance, industry standards, and PB/Merch requirements.

 

As a program leader, this position defines workplans, manages interdependencies, tracks deliverables, and drives accountability across multiple functional teams. The role requires a highly collaborative and influential leader who can persuade and align partners—including Sourcing, Brands, Quality, Food Safety, Legal, suppliers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders, especially when compliance requirements are complex, ambiguous, or require changes to established business practices.

 

In addition, the Compliance Program Manager partners closely with Legal to execute regulatory guidelines, strengthen governance, and optimize PB/Merch compliance practices, policies, and procedures. Success in this role depends on maintaining and continuously improving the program by driving cross-functional workflows, defining, and tracking applicable metrics, leveraging automation, and building strong organizational capabilities that translate compliance-technical requirements into practical business solutions.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervise 2–3 associates.
• Lead and develop team members while coordinating work across direct and cross-functional contributors.
• Establish clear expectations, priorities, accountability, and development goals for the compliance team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage and execute the overall PB Compliance Program, including program strategy, operating plans, priorities, milestones, performance measures/metrics, risk management, and continuous improvement.
• Execute program governance, roles, decision rights, communication routines, and escalation protocols to ensure effective cross-functional execution.
• Develop and manage integrated project plans for compliance initiatives, ensuring dependencies, resources, timelines, and deliverables are clearly defined and actively managed.
• Monitor program progress, identify barriers and emerging risks, and influence stakeholders to take timely corrective actions.
• Complete and/or verify the execution of all PB’s compliance work streams, including Product Registrations, Social Responsibility, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), FDA/USDA product withdrawals & recalls, packaging & labeling compliance, etc.
• Create and maintain standardized processes, tools, documentation, and performance reporting to improve consistency, efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
• Support the development and implementation of strategic PB’s compliance initiatives aligned with business objectives and expectations.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence

• Partner with Legal to provide clarity related to regulatory compliance questions, issues, and escalations, providing direction and troubleshooting support to stores, Phoenix Home Office (PHO), field leaders, and business partners.
• Build strong partnerships across Sourcing, Brands, Quality, Food Safety, Legal, Merch, suppliers, manufacturers, and third-party service providers.
• Influence PB’s strategies, product decisions, launch plans, and operational practices to align with compliance requirements.
• Persuade and gain commitment from stakeholders who may have competing priorities, limited regulatory compliance knowledge, or different perspectives on risk and acceptable solutions.
• Lead cross-functional discussions and decision-making by clearly communicating compliance expectations, business implications, options, risks, and recommended actions.
• Influence without supervisory authority by building trust, establishing credibility, using data and sound judgment, and demonstrating the business value of proactive compliance.
• Develop and implement remediation plans for regulatory compliance issues, ensuring that corrective actions are assigned, tracked, completed, and sustained.
• Lead PB’s Supplier Compliance Committee to provide visibility around social compliance, reputational screening, and product recall incidents, etc.

Product, Packaging, Labeling & Claims Compliance

• Review and approve product and packaging labeling information, including product names, ingredients and materials, nutrition information, claims, graphics, package proofs, and online content.
• Partner with relevant functions to identify compliance risks early in the product development and commercialization process.
• Partner with Legal and other functions to execute regulatory compliance guidelines, and to develop practical solutions for ambiguous or emerging situations.

Product Registrations, Accreditations, & Regulatory Agency Partnerships

• Execute the state and federal product registration program, ensuring registrations are accurate, complete, current, and submitted within required timelines.
• Partner with Legal to evaluate the potential impact of regulatory changes on PB products, packaging, claims, suppliers, and business processes.
• Lead efforts to attain and maintain third-party accreditations and certifications, including National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) and “Veterinarian Recommended” claims, etc.
• Participate in trade associations, professional organizations, compliance forums, and industry meetings to stay inform about current practices and trends.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Program Management, science, engineering, technology, or a related discipline. A combination of Program Management & Science would be highly desirable.
• Minimum of 5 years Program Management experience in the consumer goods industry, including manufacturing, wholesale, retail, or a related environment.
• Minimum of 3 years of managerial experience in Regulatory Compliance, Quality Assurance, or a related function within the consumer goods industry.
• Strong experience leading complex programs from strategy and planning through execution and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple cross-functional teams, workstreams, and competing priorities in a complex environment.
• Experience developing program governance, project plans, milestones, performance measures, risk assessments, and remediation plans.
• Familiar with government agencies, including FDA, AAFCO, CPSC, USDA, etc.
• Proven ability to make sound, timely business decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build alignment and drive results through influence, persuasion, negotiation, and collaboration.

Knowledge & Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex compliance information clearly to all levels of leadership and key business partners.
• Strong influencing and persuasion skills, including the ability to gain commitment from stakeholders with competing priorities.
• Ability to influence effectively without direct supervisory authority and establish credibility across diverse functional teams.
• Strong program and project management skills, including planning, prioritization, dependency management, issue resolution, risk mitigation, and execution tracking.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate data, interpret trends, assess risk, and develop actionable business plans.
• Ability to facilitate complex discussions, challenge assumptions constructively, resolve conflict, and guide stakeholders toward timely decisions.
• Ability to balance regulatory compliance requirements, customer expectations, operational realities, business objectives, and risk tolerance.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives and deadlines simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Familiarity with project management, workflow, reporting, or compliance management tools is preferred.

Travel Required

• 5–10%

Additional Job Considerations

• This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.
• Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.
• On-site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team.

* This is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position.

About the Culture

Our associates are the heart of Team PetSmart. Together, we’re building the best team in retail through our values-based culture, connection, and teamwork. Our goal is to create a culture where associates learn and grow together, thrive as effective teams and challenge each other to be the best they can be. 

 

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet-friendly environment, bring your pets to work and enjoy the on-site dog park!
• On-Site Events & Adoptions, enjoy community-building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, & holiday festivals
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more
• “Lil Paws” NAEYC-accredited onsite childcare facility providing high-quality early education
• Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart
• Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother's Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more

 

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.