Sr Regulatory Specialist

Dole Packaged Foods•Thousand Oaks, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role serves as a senior individual contributor within the Americas Regulatory Compliance team and is expected to independently manage assigned regulatory activities, provide technical guidance to cross-functional partners, and support the Senior Manager, Regulatory Compliance – Americas in the execution of regional regulatory priorities. The role independently develops and documents regulatory positions, translates evolving requirements into practical business strategies, and provides management-ready recommendations regarding compliance risk, commercialization, and implementation priorities. The position will play an important role in strengthening the capability and effectiveness of the Regulatory Compliance team by providing technical leadership, supporting the development of junior team members, serving as a first point of escalation for routine and moderately complex regulatory matters, and act as a senior technical evaluator of significant regulatory issues. This role provides flexibility to work in a hybrid environment of home and our Westlake Village, CA office. (Hybrid is defined as 3 times per week in the office).

Requirements

5-8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Regulatory Affairs, Regulatory Compliance, or related experience within the food and beverage or consumer packaged goods industry.
Advanced working knowledge of U.S. food regulations, including labeling, nutrition, allergens, ingredients and claims; Knowledge of Canadian requirements is a plus.
Demonstrated success developing defensible regulatory positions, written risk assessments, and practical implementation strategies for ambiguous or emerging requirements.
Demonstrated ability to independently review product claims, product labels, packaging artwork and other regulatory documentation and provide practical regulatory guidance.
Experience supporting new product development, reformulation and commercialization activities in a cross-functional environment.
Strong regulatory research, analytical and problem-solving skills with sound judgement regarding regulatory risk and escalation.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear business guidance.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently and provide technical guidance and coaching to less experienced team members.
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Regulatory Affairs, Chemistry, Biology or another relevant scientific or technical discipline required.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Canadian requirements is a plus.
Advanced degree or relevant regulatory certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Independently provide regulatory guidance on food labeling, ingredients, nutrition, allergens, claims and other applicable product requirements.
Review product labels, packaging artwork, specifications and related documentation for compliance with U.S., Canadian and other applicable Americas regulatory requirements.
Research and interpret regulatory requirements and translating them into practical guidance for the business. Including, developing clear, technically defensible regulatory positions where requirements are new, ambiguous, or conflicting; documenting assumptions and risks, and providing options and recommended actions.
Own and manage assigned market, product and category portfolios as well as lead complex regulatory projects, including new products, reformulations, packaging changes and new and emerging regulations.
Partner with R&D, Marketing, FSQA, Legal, Supply Chain and other functions to ensure regulatory requirements are incorporated into commercialization and business decisions.
Identify regulatory risks and escalate significant, complex or precedent-setting matters to the Senior Manager, Regulatory Compliance – Americas.
Lead horizon scanning in areas of responsibility, monitor new and emerging regulatory requirements and assess potential impacts to Dole products, packaging, claims and business operations.
Develop and coordinate implementation roadmaps and support compliance actions in response to changing regulatory requirements.
Support consistent implementation of Global FSQR standards and processes across the Americas.
Serve as a senior technical resource and first point of support for Regulatory Coordinators and Analysts on day-to-day matters.
Provide technical review, guidance and coaching to strengthen the quality, consistency and independence of the Regulatory Compliance team.
Support onboarding and development of junior team members and promote sharing of regulatory knowledge and best practices.
Other duties as assigned