Regulatory/Sr Regulatory Professional

About the Role

Provides regulatory and applied nutrition expertise to ensure Sargento products comply with applicable domestic and international laws and regulations. Monitors regulatory developments, recommends actions to support business objectives, and maintains efficient processes for accurate and timely regulatory information. Prepares and manages compliance documentation for Sargento and its customers, including product data sheets, labels, nutrition and health claims, religious certifications, and natural, organic, allergen, and identity-preserved statements. Collaborates cross-functionally to support product compliance and, at senior levels, provides technical guidance, training, and mentorship to colleagues and business partners.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, interpret and apply the appropriate food regulations and labeling regulations to Sargento projects and products.
• Provide back-up support for the other members of the Regulatory team as needed.
• Work across functions and provide regulatory consultation and compliance related answers to ensure legality of products and packaging.
• Assist with customer requests, facilitating the assessment of our capability to meet the requirements, communicating changes back to customers.
• Generate ingredient, nutritional and allergen information on routine and customized product labels. This includes ensuring compliance of all label related health, general well-being and structure-function claims.
• Keep abreast of requirements for kosher, halal, organic, GMO and identity preserved designations. Ensure applications and renewals are in order, accurate and timely, as applicable.
• Prepare and process USDA label approvals, temporary approvals and extensions in a timely fashion.
• Respond to customer submitted technical questions about Sargento products.
• Manage nutrition software or other systems for inputs (raw materials nutrition data, user codes, ingredient statements and allergens) and outputs (formulas, nutrition facts, ingredient statements, allergen statements and nutrient content claims).
• Assist with nutritional masters to ensure that labels are updated when new regulations are implemented, when labeling changes are made and when product formulation changes occur or new products are formulated.
• Review packaging materials for accuracy and compliance with established nutritional masters and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Remain current with U.S. and international regulations and technological changes that may affect labeling laws for the food industry.

Senior Professional Responsibilities

• Act as company's expert in matters of regulatory compliance in labeling and food safety, interfacing with outside agencies and institutions as needed. Participates in addressing regulatory issues that may arise.
• Work with consultants, academia and trade associations to clarify and resolve regulatory matters.
• Assure consistent understanding and interpretation of applicable product regulations. Make sure that in-depth regulatory analyses of situations are conducted. Offer solutions within the regulatory framework that give Sargento competitive advantage in the marketplace. Identify and communicate areas of potential risk in the labeling and safety of our products along with mitigation strategies.
• Act as the primary expert for regulatory matters for complex corporate projects. Inform other Compliance Function colleagues of status updates, required actions and assign and distribute responsibilities accordingly.
• Prepare a variety of regulatory documents, including ingredient statements, range formulas, customer information requests and other technical documents and give final approvals as needed.
• Lead and execute the process of reviewing, updating and approving several documents including but not limited to material, WIP and finished good specifications, customer specifications, packaging artwork as they pertain to regulations, and USDA labels. Make sure processes result in accurate data. This includes ensuring compliance of all label related health, general well-being, nutrient content and structure-function claims.
• Provide back-up support for the other members of the Regulatory team as needed.
• Work across functions and provide regulatory consultation and compliance related answers to customers, vendors, business units and project teams regarding new products, formulations or concepts.
• Mentor and train staff in the overall regulatory compliance process. Promote continuous improvement of regulatory processes within Sargento. Provide support and guidance to the Compliance team and other business units.
• Keep abreast of requirements for identity preserved designations, such as kosher, halal, organic, and GMO.
• Remain current with U.S. regulations and technological changes that may affect labeling for the food industry.

Qualifications

This position requires a solid understanding of food product development and processes, U.S. and international food regulations, labeling requirements, claims, and food allergens. Knowledge in food safety, nutrition and ingredient functions are strongly preferred. Position requires a high degree of ethics, integrity and trust. Excellent problem-solving skills are required.

Professional

• Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from four-year college or university in Food Science or related field OR Bachelor's degree in other field plus two years of experience in related field is required.
• Experience in regulatory affairs or product development, labeling, nutrition is a plus.

Senior Professional

• Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Food Science or related field from four-year college or university.
• Strong knowledge of USDA and FDA regulations and a minimum of 5 years direct experience in Regulatory is required.
• Previous R&D and/or QA experience in food industry with USDA labeling, Product Lifecycle Management and SAP knowledge are strongly preferred.
• Continuing education is required in order to keep up to date with developments in the laws and science pertaining to food regulation.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical including Fertility, Adoption benefits, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Remote ½ day Fridays
• Onsite Health & Wellness Center
• Employer 401K contribution in the top 1% of the nation
• Relocation Assistance
• Tuition Assistance
• Access to Employee Store