Associate Director, Testing & Regulatory Compliance – Children's Products

Franco Manufacturing is a leading international producer of juvenile licensed home products. We have an exciting opportunity for an Associate Director of Testing & Regulatory Compliance based at our Corporate Headquarters in Metuchen, NJ to oversee all product testing, safety, quality, and regulatory compliance programs across a diverse portfolio of children's products, including both hardlines (toys, home products) and softlines (home textiles).

This role serves as the subject matter expert for global product safety regulations, testing protocols, certification requirements, and retailer compliance standards and will partner closely with Product Development, Design, Quality Assurance, Sourcing, Legal, and Retail Compliance teams to ensure products meet all applicable regulatory, safety, and customer requirements from concept through commercialization.

We are seeking a strategic leader with strong expertise in U.S. and international children's product regulations, laboratory testing programs, risk assessment, and supplier compliance management.

Responsibilities include:

Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive compliance programs for children's softline and hardline product categories.

Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations including:

• Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)
• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requirements
• ASTM standards
• Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA)
• Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) where applicable
• California Proposition 65
• REACH
• State-specific chemical regulations

Monitor emerging regulatory changes and communicate business impacts to internal stakeholders.

Lead regulatory risk assessments for new product categories, materials, and technologies.

Own global testing strategy and execution for both softlines and hardlines.

Establish and maintain testing protocols based on product risk, category requirements, and retailer expectations.

Review and approve testing plans, test reports, and certification documentation.

Manage Children's Product Certificates (CPCs), General Certificates of Conformity (GCCs), and associated compliance documentation.

Oversee age grading assessments and safety evaluations.

Ensure timely completion of product testing prior to commercialization and retail shipment.

Manage relationships with third-party testing laboratories, including:

• Intertek
• SGS
• Bureau Veritas
• UL Solutions

Negotiate testing programs and service-level agreements.

Review laboratory performance, testing methodologies, and turnaround times.

Drive consistency of testing programs across regions and product categories.

Ensure compliance with customer-specific requirements for major retailers and licensors.

Manage testing and documentation requirements for major retailers and licensors.

Collaborate with Product Development and Design teams during product creation to proactively address safety and compliance risks.

Advise sourcing teams regarding regulatory implications of material and components.

Provide ongoing education and training to internal teams on product safety and regulatory requirements.

Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Manage departmental budgets including testing and certification expenditures.

This position is based in Metuchen, NJ and required to work on-site 4-days per week.

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Textile Science, Product Safety, Chemistry, Material Science, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Management, or related discipline.

Master's degree preferred.

10+ years of progressive experience in product safety, compliance and testing.

Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing teams and cross-functional initiatives.

Extensive experience with both children's softline and hardline product categories.

Proven experience supporting products sold through major U.S. retailers.

Experience working with global manufacturing and sourcing networks.

Expert knowledge of:

• CPSIA requirements
• CPSC regulations
• ASTM toy and children's product standards
• Textile and apparel regulations
• Flammability requirements
• Chemical compliance programs
• Restricted Substances Lists (RSLs)
• Product labeling requirements
• Product certification processes

Strong understanding of risk assessment methodologies and product safety engineering principles.

Experience managing regulatory compliance programs across North America.

Strategic thinking and business acumen.

Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Excellent project management skills.

Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to product safety and consumer protection.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

RAC (Regulatory Affairs Certification), ASQ, CQE, CQA, or equivalent certifications.

Experience supporting licensed consumer products.

Experience…