Regulatory Affairs Manager - Reser's Fine Foods
Beaverton, OR 97003
About the Job
General Summary
Functions as Reser’s subject matter expert (SME) on North American labeling regulations. Responsible for maintaining accurate technical content on all product and case labels and providing expert guidance to internal and external stakeholders through participation in various cross-functional teams. Manages a team of corporate labeling professionals and provides on-site support for labeling projects and initiatives at manufacturing facilities as business needs dictate.
Principle Duties and Responsibilities
- Oversees evaluation of supporting documentation for labels including BOMs, ingredient specifications, allergen statements, nutrition profiles, and customer requirements to ensure source data for technical label content is accurate, complete, and current. Ensures appropriate records are maintained in compliance with corporate, regulatory and customer requirements.
- Engages with facility leadership teams to investigate labeling challenges at each location and develop collaborative solutions. Responsible for identifying and recommending process or technology tools for each facility to ensure label proofs are readily accessible for compliance checks.
- Partners with facility leadership teams and corporate capital projects team to roadmap and re-launch corporate or customer unit and case packaging labeling initiatives. Strives for a unified solution across all platforms, culminating in a readily accessible, centralized database. Assists with implementation timeline and provides on-site support and technical resources as needed.
- Drives continuous improvement by streamlining workflows and writing SOPs to standardize corporate labeling processes. Works to reduce and eliminate fees from excess rounds of label proofing and non-compliant case labeling.
- Supports customer projects by leading or participating in cross-functional teams with internal and external stakeholders.
- Monitors progress of labeling projects and initiatives by identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting results to department leadership.
- Provides focused and consistent coaching to further develop labeling acumen and technical expertise of corporate labeling team.
- Effectively leverages regulatory knowledge and tools to identify potential non-compliance situations in advance and propose solutions to mitigate risk.
- Proactively communicates current and proposed regulatory and customer label requirements to internal stakeholders to ensure transition timelines are met.
- Maintains up-to-date knowledge of current regulations, relevant product and processing information, industry trends and food labeling practices by representing Reser’s as an active member of industry trade associations, working groups and committees.
Job Specifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Biological Sciences, or closely related field.
- Minimum 5+ years direct responsibility for interpreting and applying food labeling regulations for products sold in the US (FDA & FSIS), Canada and Mexico, with demonstrated progression of responsibility for complex labeling activities across a range of food products and categories.
- Minimum 3 years leading and growing a team of technical professionals.
- Minimum 2 years regulated claim substantiation, or equivalent experience with third-party certified label claims.
- Ability to quickly integrate into multiple cross-functional teams and high-profile company initiatives.
- Advanced ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and offer solutions. Comfortable making decisions in ambiguous situations.
- Ability to concisely communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences with varying levels of familiarity through visual, oral, and written methods.
- Exceptional attention to detail and ability to generate accurate work product in a timely manner.
- Advanced PC skills in Microsoft Office Suite, label proofing software and nutrition database management.
PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior work experience in quality assurance or operations in a food manufacturing facility.
- Master’s Degree in Food Law, Food Safety, Food Science, Nutrition, or closely related field.
- Graduate certification in Food Law issued by an accredited university.
- Intermediate or better knowledge of Safe Foods for Canada Regulations.
- FSIS HACCP, FDA Seafood HACCP and/or other regulated HACCP certification.
- FSMA PCQI certification.
Working Conditions
- Primarily office environment.
- Refrigerated and ambient food manufacturing environments may be wet or dry and temperatures may range from 25°F to 110°F.
- Occasional travel (40%) throughout the US to support manufacturing facilities or attend professional training.
- Able to work extended hours on occasion.
- Occasionally lift packages up to 20 pounds.
Source : Reser's Fine Foods