Senior Regulatory Compliance Specialist

Role Overview

• Supporting the implementation of the strategic food regulatory and nutrition labelling regulatory pillars across Ventura Foods.
• Has increasing responsibility in the areas of global regulatory compliance of ingredients and finished products in U.S. and at least two global selling markets (e.g. APAC, EMEA, NA, and LATAM).
• Provides the appropriate regulatory direction to R&D, Legal, Quality, Sales, Marketing, Operations, Customers, Co-Manufacturers, Suppliers, Consultants and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Continuously expands knowledge and understanding of new and existing statutes, Trade Agreements (TA) and regulations at the local, state and federal levels (U.S.) and in global selling markets (e.g. APAC, EMEA, NA, and LATAM).
• Applies this knowledge to interpret and communicate regulatory issues to impacted customers and teams to ensure branded and private label products will be legislatively acceptable.
• Initiates and leads cross-functional regulatory projects and develops the necessary protocol inclusive of labels, standards, procedures, guidance documents and customers' communications in response to assigned selling markets (e.g., APAC, EMEA, NA, and LATAM regulatory rule-making activities.
• Utilizes risk assessments and risk/benefit analyses to determine regulatory risks pertaining to claims, nutritional information, market analyses, branded and private label compliance, ingredients, allergens, food contact packaging materials, production disruptions and supply chain shortages.
• Collaboratively works with cross-functional partners on new business opportunities in assigned global selling markets.
• Utilizes applicable food laws, Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and country permissibility assessments to influence and coach the teams to consider the plausible options to drive the desired business initiatives.
• Juggles multiple priorities as a regulatory subject matter expert, including facilitating knowledge transfer to enhance regulatory capability and capacity.
• Works directly with consultants, suppliers and customers to improve regulatory processes and achieve regulatory and business results.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent industry experience.
• 3+ year's experience in food, beverage, or pharmaceutical industry in regulatory compliance, or in a regulatory affairs capacity
• Ability to travel 5%
• Active participation leading regulatory compliance projects, required as a result of rulemaking activities, preferred
• Proficient knowledge in global food laws and regulations including food ingredients and food labeling under FDA and USDA jurisdictions
• A working knowledge of Kosher and Halal Certification Programs, Food Contact Packaging Materials Regulations and related geographic regional trade activities (APAC, EMEA, LATAM, NA)
• Knowledgeable in hazard analysis, risk assessments and food safety concepts
• Demonstrative understanding of Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and associated Final Rules, Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), Codex Alimentarius, California Proposition 65, California Proposition 12, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Labeling Statutes and Regulations and other applicable regulations governing food manufacturing
• Excellent organizational, communications (both verbal and written), interpersonal and team interaction skills
• Highly motivated, collaborative, self-directed and self-starter team player
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office, PIM, regulatory software systems (i.e. Decernis gComply and Decernis gComply Plus) and Trustwell/Genesis labeling platform

Benefits

• Medical, Prescription, Dental, & Vision – coverage beginning on your 1st day for eligible employees
• Profit Sharing and 401(k) matching (after eligible criteria is met)
• Paid Vacation, Sick Time, and Holidays
• Employee Appreciation Events
• Employee Assistance Programs