Global Product Compliance Lead

Job Description:

Here at Rakuten Kobo Inc. we offer a casual working start-up environment and a group of friendly and talented individuals. Our employees rank us highly in terms of commitment to work/life balance. We realize that for our people to be innovative, creative, and passionate they need to feel valued and supported. We believe in rewarding all our employees with competitive salaries, performance-based annual bonuses, stock options, and training opportunities. 

If you’re looking for a company that inspires passion, personal, and professional growth – join Kobo and come help us on our mission of making reading lives better. 

The Role: 

The Global Product Compliance Lead will oversee and coordinate all compliance issues that relate to our supply chain and logistics initiatives, product design, taking into consideration all internal and external policies and procedures. 

Your responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Researching and evaluating global environmental, safety, consumer protection, competition, taxation, and end-of-life management legislation, analyzing their effect on new and existing products, and communicating the potential business impact on design, cost, supply, marketing of B2B/B2C sales 
• Understanding global statutory and regulatory requirements across our global markets and product portfolios 
• Understanding global product import and export requirements. Implementing strategies to streamline the management and proactively manage these requirements. 
• Review product marking, packaging, and create documentation to ensure it meets all regulatory requirements 
• Evaluate costs and requirements to enter new markets 
• Develop and optimize the compliance and released product support processes to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and industry guidelines 
• Act as a technical resource for support within cross-functional project teams 
• Manage and coordinate updates, reviews, and ad hoc details with external service providers 
• Review, approve, and sign off on environmental and safety documentation for bills of material within each project to ensure accuracy and compliance with applicable standards 
• Manage and maintain compliance documentation and have it readily available to internal and external stakeholders 
• Interact with vendors to ensure they understand regulatory and industry requirements, and hold them accountable to documented deliverables 
• Manage product extended producer responsibility programs in all regions focusing on electronic, battery, and packaging waste 
• Manage our Business Continuity Planning process 
• Manage and ensure our global Procurement Standards are being tracked, reported on, and monitored. 
• Identify opportunities to evolve and improve our sustainability through the use of metrics and measures and reviews. 
• Continue to enhance our quality management systems. 
• Help support and develop our device repairability in accordance with global regulations and laws. 

Skills: 

• 3+ years of experience working in global product regulatory compliance functions within a global electronics company 
• Excellent organizational and planning skills, including the ability to independently multitask in a dynamic environment 
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills 
• Demonstrate appropriate risk evaluation to determine a high level due diligence process while maintaining a competitive budget 
• Ability to work within a cross-functional team 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Experience working with 3rd party testing laboratories supporting certification/type approval and restricted substances testing 
• Preferred candidates will have an understanding of environmental and safety regulations/standards (including but not limited to REACH, GPSD, WEEE, RoHS, Radio/Type Approvals (R&TTE, FCC, IC, ANATEL, ICASA, IFETEL, EAC), extended producer responsibility, IATA, Proposition 65, ISO certifications) 

The Perks:

• Flexible hours and remote working environment 
• 4 extended summer long weekends 
• Full benefits starting from your first day 
• Paid Volunteer days, unlimited sick days, and 3% RRSP matching 
• Monthly commuting allowance for hybrid employees 
• Flexible health spending account 
• Training budget + Udemy account 
• Free Kobo device + free weekly e-book or audiobook 
• Weekly Kobo Tech University sessions 
• Maternity/paternity leave top-up 
• 90 Day Work from Anywhere program 
• Daily lunch credit when in-office and in-office snacks 
• Dog-friendly office 

About Rakuten Kobo Inc.:

Owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto, Rakuten Kobo Inc. is one of the most advanced global e-commerce companies, with the world’s most innovative e-reading services offering more than 6 million eBooks and audiobooks to 30 million+ customers in 190 countries. Kobo delivers the best digital reading experience through creative innovation, award-winning e-readers, and top-ranking mobile apps. Kobo is a part of the Rakuten group of companies. 

Rakuten Kobo Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Accessibility accommodations for candidates with disabilities participating in the selection process are available on request. Any information received related to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially. 

Rakuten Kobo would like to thank all applicants for their interest in this role; however, only qualified candidates will be shortlisted. 

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