Specialist US Regulatory

Specialist US Regulatory

Job Location:  Hershey, PA – 19 East Office

Job Summary:

A position in Regulatory Affairs within the QRC organization involves leveraging knowledge of global food safety, nutrition science, and regulation for labeling, claims and transparency to develop policies, standards, and set company direction to ensure compliance for all Hershey ingredients and finished products. At Hershey this means ensuring that all aspects of a product’s lifecycle from development to delivery are compliant with all government regulations and company guidelines for the retail markets in which they are sold. This involves constantly monitoring the global food regulatory landscape for emerging issues; advising key internal stakeholders to the potential impact to the company; engaging and advocating as appropriate; and ensuring compliance. 

Role Responsibilities:

U.S. Regulatory Compliance

• U.S. food regulations – strong knowledge of and ability to provide guidance on U.S. food regulations including labeling, food additives, flavors, and claims regulations. Utilize internal and external tools and systems to evaluate ingredients and formulas to make proactive, risk-based decisions.
• Finished product labeling regulations - execute finished product labeling from creation to final packaging approval.
• Working knowledge of international food regulations to support global partners, communicating potential impact of formula changes for exported products.
• Knowledge of product claims to support accurate labeling.
• Conduct review of preliminary and concept formulations for compliance and acceptability in US market. Engage with Product Development at ideation and through feasibility & development stages on product innovation projects. 

Work on projects of medium to high complexity under the guidance of Senior Regulatory Specialist or Manager

Business Engagement/Technical Guidance

• Implement internal regulatory policy and guidance. Review packaging for compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and guidance. Ensure that all on label claims are substantiated and that certifications and allergens are properly documented. Establish appropriate documentation (Standards, SOP’s) and communicate to impacted stakeholders. 
• Govern and maintain non-allergen claims and certification programs (Non-GMO PV, USDA Organic, Vegan, Kosher, Halal)
• Manage reformulation projects. Provide complete analysis of regulatory risk and impact to all markets and help assess cost impact.
  • • Drive Compliance by Design mindset as the Subject Matter Expert in cross functional project teams. Understand Quality and Regulatory excellence for multiple parts of the product lifecycle (develop, source, make, plan, deliver, customer) and act as Subject Matter Expert. Communicate impact and provide directional guidance by communicating regulatory reasoning and make appropriate recommendations.

Other Regulatory Affairs Responsibilities: 

• Interact cross-functionally with Product Development, Marketing, Purchasing, Consumer Affairs, Customs and Trade, and Legal counterparts. 

Engage with trade organizations and internal RSA Leadership to understand the regulatory horizon. Partner with Legal, R&D, and Gov Relations to communicate the potential impact of proposed regulations to the business and lead new regulatory initiatives related to labeling compliance. 

Qualifications:

• Detailed understanding of U.S. Labeling laws (food additives, nutrition, standards of identity)
• Functional understanding and ability to navigate an international food regulation database.
• High proficiency in use of advanced computational software (i.e. Excel, Power point, SAP)
• Attention to detail.
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking. Comfortable with ambiguity.
• Excellent analytical and researching skills.
• Excellent communication skills (i.e., verbal, written)
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to self-manage for managing numerous priorities.
• Strong initiative, and the ability to change in a fast-changing environment.
• Ability to influence and make complicated subjects clear and presentable.
• Impeccable ethics and must maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in science Related Field (Food Nutrition, Food Science, Biology, Chemistry) or equivalent

Experience:

Minimum of 2 years related Food Regulatory Compliance experience.

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