Operations Compliance Specialist

Operations Compliance Specialist

Site-based compliance role focused on Florida Department of Health (DOH), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements at the Wimauma and Lakeland cultivation/processing campuses. Prepares and organizes regulatory evidence, coordinates DOH walkthroughs tied to facility/equipment/process changes, conducts compliance audits, and drafts materials for submission by Regulatory Affairs. Provides staff training on new The role has visibility into Quality activities but does not own Quality outcomes or the Quality Management System (QMS).

Core Job Responsibilities

• Own DOH/FDACS/GMP readiness and documentation.
• Coordinate DOH walkthroughs for facility/equipment/process changes and manage follow-ups.
• Review proposed changes for regulatory impact; ensure notifications/approvals precede implementation; maintain a change log tied to submissions.
• Conduct compliance audits against DOH/FDACS/GMP standards and track regulatory commitments.
• Author and maintain compliance-owned SOPs/Work Instructions and associated training records.
• Provide monthly metrics and status roll-ups to Regulatory Affairs (on-time submissions, findings trend, closure timeliness).
• Demonstrated business acumen; able to assess financial implications of decisions and actions.
• Have a proven track record of delivering results, leading people, and driving improvement.

Qualifications and Job Skills Requirements

• 5+ years in regulatory or operations compliance within cannabis, food, pharma, or closely regulated manufacturing.
• Hands-on knowledge of Florida DOH (Office of Medical Marijuana Use), FDACS rules, and GMP; Good Documentation Practices (GDP) familiarity.
• Experience drafting regulator-facing responses and organizing evidence for submissions.
• Proficiency with SOP authorship, document control, and change control for compliance documents.
• Ability to conduct compliance audits and communicate findings clearly across functions.
• Familiarity with seed-to-sale systems (e.g., BioTrack) and production recordkeeping.
• Strong communication skills; comfortable presenting compliance highlights in group settings (e.g., NEO).

Physical Requirements

• 21 years of age or older.
• Pass required background checks (and drug testing where applicable) to be registered as an employee of a licensed operator in Florida.
• Maintain discretion and handle confidential and proprietary information appropriately.
• Full-time on site; occasional off-hours support during inspections or facility changes.
• Light travel (≤10%) for training or cross-site standardization.

6 Core Values of a Surterra Employee

Integrity - We operate in a regulated and unchartered industry. Act and make decisions that stand up to scrutiny and reflect our position as a sophisticated, credible and respected leader. Be honest, trustworthy, dependable, and honorable. Demonstrate sound moral and ethical ways of interacting.

Collaboration - We are a collection of the best talent at all levels. Learn and grow from this diversity: welcome healthy debate and proactively seek other perspectives and points of view to find the best solution while not resting on consensus. Proactively ensure the right people have the right information at the right time. Work as a team vs. an individual performer.

Agility - We are growing incredibly fast in a new industry. Be open to change, be ready to pivot on the moment's notice, and act with a sense of urgency to take advantage of opportunities. Then be ready to do it again. Quickly –and calmly -respond and adapt to the unexpected. Modify and streamline processes, find more efficient ways of doing your job. Work efficiently across markets, time zones, and functions.

Intentionality - Intentionality requires action –it makes your intentions happen. Good thoughts are meaningless without action. It is initiative directed by the purpose to move our business forward. Intentionality is doing things important to you, even when not easy. Transformational change happens with intentionally.

Alignment - Together, we must understand and believe in our vision, mission, business and team goals and priorities. When we make a decision, even when we don't have consensus we all align behind that decision and execute. We don't revisit decisions unless we have material new data or circumstances.

Accountability - Make the best proactive and reactive decisions given the available information and the wisest counsel. Own your decisions, actions and outcomes, and promptly correct mistakes. Be reliable, honor commitments and do not finger point, off-load responsibilities, or criticize co-workers. Look after co-workers and team's success.