Manufacturing Compliance Specialist

Manufacturing Compliance Specialist

Department: Legal

Reports To: General Counsel, North America Manufacturing

Location: Mesquite, Texas

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Compliance Specialist is responsible for supporting and executing compliance initiatives across the company’s U.S.-based manufacturing operations. This role serves as a key operational compliance resource within the manufacturing environment and partners closely with plant leadership to ensure adherence to applicable U.S. laws, regulations, and internal corporate policies.

Embedded within site operations, the Manufacturing Compliance Specialist acts as a critical liaison between Corporate Compliance, Legal, and plant leadership, translating enterprise compliance standards into effective operational controls across production, procurement, logistics, warehousing, and supply chain activities. This position requires a proactive, hands-on professional capable of managing compliance risks in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Manufacturing & Operational Compliance

• Partner with plant leadership to implement, monitor, and improve compliance controls across production, maintenance, procurement, and warehouse operations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, including operational permits, reporting obligations, and manufacturing-related standards.
• Support regulatory inspections, internal audits, and compliance reviews.
• Identify operational compliance risks and collaborate with site teams to implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintain accurate compliance documentation and records in accordance with regulatory and corporate standards.

2. Trade & Supply Chain Compliance

• Support compliance with U.S. import/export regulations and trade compliance requirements.
• Serve as the primary liaison between U.S. manufacturing operations and the Corporate Trade Compliance team to ensure alignment with enterprise compliance policies.
• Collaborate on high-risk transactions, regulatory inquiries, sanctions screening, and interpretation of trade requirements impacting plant operations.
• Support supply chain compliance initiatives related to sourcing, logistics, and vendor management.

3. Third-Party & Vendor Compliance

• Support vendor onboarding, qualification, and ongoing compliance monitoring processes.
• Maintain documentation related to third-party due diligence, risk assessments, and approval workflows.
• Coordinate risk-based reviews of domestic and international suppliers, contractors, and service providers supporting manufacturing operations.
• Assist in evaluating vendor compliance with corporate standards and regulatory expectations.

4. Audits, Monitoring & Reporting

• Track remediation activities related to audit findings and ensure timely closure of corrective actions.
• Support internal investigations involving potential compliance concerns or policy violations.
• Assist with internal compliance audits, site self-assessments, and external regulatory reviews.
• Develop and maintain compliance metrics, dashboards, and reporting tools for plant leadership and corporate stakeholders.

5. Training & Policy Implementation

• Provide day-to-day compliance guidance and support to operations teams and site leadership.
• Assist with implementation and localization of corporate compliance policies and procedures at the plant level.
• Deliver practical, U.S.-focused compliance training to plant personnel, supervisors, and cross-functional teams.
• Promote a culture of integrity, accountability, and operational compliance throughout the organization.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Support alignment between corporate compliance standards and U.S. regulatory requirements.
• Serve as a key point of contact between U.S. manufacturing sites and Corporate Compliance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, EHS, Finance, HR, and Operations teams to ensure consistent compliance practices and risk mitigation efforts.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, Law, Risk Management, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in compliance, regulatory, audit, or risk management roles within a manufacturing, industrial, or operational environment.
• Strong understanding of U.S. regulatory frameworks impacting manufacturing operations and supply chains, including import/export compliance, operational controls, and regulatory inspections.
• Experience with trade compliance, sanctions screening, third-party risk management, or supply chain compliance preferred.
• Experience supporting manufacturing operations within the solar, energy, semiconductor, or advanced manufacturing industries is a plus.
• Professional certifications such as ACAMS (CAMS), CCEP, or similar compliance/risk credentials preferred but not required.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, production-driven environment with multiple priorities.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to translate regulatory requirements into practical operational processes and controls.

Why Join Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar is one of the world’s leading solar technology and renewable energy companies. As a vertically integrated manufacturer, we are committed to innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth. This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of legal compliance, manufacturing operations, and global supply chain management within a rapidly growing industry.