Director Regulatory Affairs

About the role

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to serve as Director, Regulatory Affairs. This position will report to the Vice President, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs and play a critical role in advancing DMI's regulatory strategy and technical leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and continuously update internal substantiation to support marketing and labeling claims, with a focus on high-impact health and wellness platforms and bioactive components in dairy foods.
• Lead the development and curation of evidence dossiers that substantiate priority health and wellness claims, synthesizing current scientific literature on dairy foods and nutrients and bioactive components found in dairy foods while aligning with USDA's Guidelines for AMS Oversight of Commodity Research and Promotion Programs.
• Establish and maintain standardized processes and documentation to ensure claims are consistently supported, audit-ready and aligned with evolving regulatory and scientific guidance.
• Partner with internal teams (affairs, marketing and communications, nutrition research and product research and development) to translate emerging evidence into clear, defensible claim language and messaging for use across communications and labeling.
• Review and validate internally developed food and beverage label mockups (e.g., trade shows, industry events) to ensure accuracy, regulatory compliance and alignment with current labeling standards and guidance.
• Provide technical labeling expertise and clear, actionable guidance to external partners and industry stakeholders through the Innovation Center and other collaborations, supporting compliant and effective product messaging.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Research & Development, Nutrition Research and Partnerships teams to ensure labeling strategies are scientifically substantiated, regulatory-compliant and aligned with broader organizational objectives.
• Serve as an internal regulatory expert, enabling team effectiveness and translating requirements into actionable guidance.
• Develop tools, templates and supporting materials to enable high-quality, consistent development of regulatory comments for USDA, FDA and NIH proposed rulemaking.
• Translate evolving regulatory and policy developments into strategic insights, equipping internal teams with clear, consistent guidance to inform business decisions.
• Participate in working groups with leading external regulatory organizations (e.g., FDLI, IFT, IFIC) to advance dairy's visibility, credibility and representation within the broader regulatory and scientific landscape.

Requirements

• Minimum Qualifications: Education & Experience: Skills & Competencies
• High proficiency in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations and familiarity with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - international food regulation experience a plus
• Knowledge of claims and common certifications in food marketing and product labeling
• Ability to translate complex science and regulation into clear business guidance
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Analytical and technical skills and attention to detail essential
• Experience in nutrition research and applications of outcomes for industry
• Experience working cross-functionally in matrixed environments
• Stakeholder engagement and influence skills
• Established industry network with a proactive, relationship-building approach; actively engages with peers and organizations to exchange insights and stay at forefront of regulatory developments
• Education & Experience Qualifications: 3-5 years of experience in food regulatory affairs or similar regulatory environment with advanced degree and relevant work experience
• Bachelor's degree or higher in food science, chemistry, biology, nutrition or a related scientific field required

Benefits

We know that in order to meet our goal of growing dairy demand, we need the best people. We offer competitive compensation and generous benefits to help our employees balance their work and personal lives.

Our office is conveniently located, taking less than 10 minutes to walk from CTA's Blue Line Rosemont station (or you can hop on the free, Riverway, shuttle).

We offer regular and chocolate milk on tap. Our comprehensive health and welfare plans offer medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability and flexible spending accounts (health care, dependent care, transit and parking).

Our 401k provides up to a 10% match and includes a Roth account.

Dairy Management Inc.™ is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We regret it is not possible to communicate with candidates except those who most closely match our requirements.