Regulatory Affairs Specialist

This position will apply and develop knowledge and experience of regulations, food and nutrition, and as appropriate, scientific assessment to 1) assure compliance of product formulas, labels and communications, 2) contribute to and advise innovation projects, and 3) understand the impact of regulatory proposals and changes, through participation in internal cross-functional teams and contributing to industry working groups in order to advise the business. This position will set and manage the regulatory approval of labelling artwork, product claims and packaging standards for all products and all channels.

Key responsibilities:

• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) regarding regulatory compliance, labeling and nutritional statement matters.
• Set the labeling standards and guidelines for all products in all country of sale.
• Act as an advocate for customer regulatory issues regarding label compliance.
• Identify, manage, and implement process improvements as it relates to the management of regulatory information.
• Respond to internal and external customer product, ingredient, or nutritional questions.
• Primary liaison for marketing and suppliers regarding product naming, claims and overall package label integrity.
• Maintain up to date knowledge on FDA and CFIA regulations and policies and helps the business prepare for changes in regulations.
• Communicate the relevant updates to internal stakeholders regarding food labeling regulations.
• Assure full Regulatory Compliance.
• Active engagement in Innovation contributing effectively to innovation process from ideas to preparation of launches; by providing regulatory perspective for new products including labeling, claims and ingredients; by identifying and resolving regulatory hurdles as early as possible.
• Lead frequent vendor communication from initial conception into fully labeled product packaging. Help facilitate label change control through communication with stakeholders to assure proper transition between labeling and packaging changes.
• Collaborate with team members and suppliers to support the policies, programs and certifications such as Organic, Gluten-free, Non-GMO, Kosher, Whole Grains, etc. used across the company.
• Provide cross-functional oversight & hands-on technical support from a regulatory standpoint to ensure NP's procedures, policies, training and document control systems are compliant and up-to-date in accordance with domestic & global organic regulatory requirements.
• Act as department lead with all third-party certifying bodies & control bodies to ensure NP maintains current & unimpeded certification status under multiple regulatory standards including organic, food safety, etc.
• Assist in ensuring timely turnaround and accurate responses to all governmental agency and customer inquiries regarding regulatory (including organic), food safety and quality. Write and/or review responses to regulatory inquiries and requests. Take lead on communicating directly with regulators as appropriate or as needed.
• Engage with external regulatory authorities, trade associations and other health professional organizations with compliance issues impacting the Company or Industry at large.
• Overall lead of specification system.
• Maintain and update customer portal system.
• Ensure corporate policies and procedures are up-to-date.
• Assist plant in preparation for the third party audits.
• Handle escalated customer issues and complaints, investigation and resolving them in a timely manner to achieve customer satisfaction.
• Point of contact for government agencies (FDA and CFIA).
• Follow through with Plant related issues and action items, working closely with Plant Personnel.
• Collect data and prepare reports on customer complaints and inquiry.
• Monthly trending analysis to aid plant in complaint reduction.

Education:

• University education or equivalent in food science or nutrition and/or chemistry

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in the food industry, specifically regulatory, labeling and claims
• Experience in managing regulatory team and consumer services team
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the US and Canadian Food & Drugs Act and Regulations and other consumer packaging regulations

This role is a hybrid opportunity based out of our Richmond BC office. Based on experience this will pay between $110,000 - $140,000 with a 15% bonus. Thank you for your interest in Natures Path!