(USA) Senior Manager, Specialty Compliance and Ethics - Food Safety - Food Science & Innovation Compliance
About The Position
As Senior Manager, Food Safety - Food Science & Innovation Compliance, you will lead Walmart’s food science and compliance programs by enabling safe product innovation while proactively identifying, assessing, and mitigating food safety, regulatory, and chemical risks. This role provides technical leadership across risk assessment, specification governance, supplier compliance, packaging and ingredient evaluation, and emerging technologies. Partnering closely with Merchandising, Sourcing, Regulatory, Sustainability, Supply Chain, Operations, Suppliers, and International teams, you will drive continuous improvement, support compliant product development, and ensure science-based decisions that protect customers, strengthen supplier accountability, and support business growth. About the team The Specialty Compliance and Ethics team leads Walmart’s efforts in food science innovation and regulatory compliance. This team drives the development, execution, and continuous improvement of programs that ensure safe product innovation while managing food safety and regulatory risks across products, packaging, suppliers, and emerging technologies. They provide strategic guidance on compliance matters, monitor relevant laws and regulations, and collaborate cross-functionally to uphold high standards. The team fosters a culture of integrity, accountability, and continuous learning, supporting business objectives through effective governance, risk management, and clear communication.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, food science, chemistry, or related discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
- 3-5 years of experience in food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, risk assessment, product development, manufacturing, microbiology, chemistry, laboratory and/or food industry environment, or related fields.
- Proven ability to lead technical programs and influence cross-functional stakeholders across complex business environments.
- Strong knowledge of food safety principles, specifications, food-contact materials, supplier expectations, risk assessment, and regulatory requirements.
- Ability to translate complex scientific and regulatory concepts into practical business recommendations.
- Strong communication, prioritization, and project leadership skills, with the ability to manage ambiguity and balance risk.
- Proactive, enterprise-minded approach focused on innovation, consumer safety, risk reduction, and customer trust.
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, or related field and 4 years’ experience in compliance, ethics, legal, project management, or related area OR 6 years’ experience in compliance, ethics, legal, project management, or related area.
- 2 years’ supervisory experience.
- 3 years’ experience using intermediate functionality of Microsoft Office.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree preferred.
- Masters: Business Administration
- Project Management - Project Management Professional - Certification
Responsibilities
- Lead food science risk assessment, technical governance, and compliance strategies supporting product innovation across ingredients, packaging, specifications, suppliers, and emerging technologies.
- Develop and improve standards, specifications, and risk-based decision frameworks aligned with Walmart requirements, industry best practices, and global regulations.
- Serve as a senior technical partner to merchandising, sourcing, supply chain, operations, manufacturing, international teams, providing science-based guidance for safe, compliant innovation.
- Provide technical leadership for product launches, reformulations, packaging changes, and emerging initiatives by identifying risks early and recommending mitigation strategies.
- Use data, documentation, and risk-based decision making to drive continuous improvement, strengthen program maturity, support leadership reporting, and advance supplier compliance efforts.
Benefits
- Competitive pay
- Performance-based bonus awards
- Medical coverage
- Vision coverage
- Dental coverage
- 401(k)
- Stock purchase
- Company-paid life insurance
- PTO (including sick leave)
- Parental leave
- Family care leave
- Bereavement
- Jury duty
- Voting leave
- Short-term disability
- Long-term disability
- Company discounts
- Military Leave Pay
- Adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement
- PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes.
- Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
