Principal Specialist - Regulatory Affairs & Compliance

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Specialist in Regulatory Affairs & Compliance to provide regulatory leadership across product safety, labeling, claims, and compliance programs within a regulated food manufacturing environment. This role serves as a trusted subject‑matter expert and cross‑functional leader, ensuring products meet all applicable regulatory, legal, and quality standards while protecting consumer safety and brand integrity.

The ideal candidate brings deep regulatory knowledge, strong cross‑functional influence, and the ability to lead complex compliance initiatives in a fast‑paced, highly visible environment.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Provide expert regulatory guidance across ingredients, labeling, claims, packaging, and product safety.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and international food regulations across all products and markets.
• Lead and maintain compliance programs covering food safety standards, import/export requirements, and regulatory documentation.
• Monitor emerging regulatory trends, enforcement actions, and recall activity to proactively manage compliance risk.

Labeling, Claims & Commercialization Support

• Partner with R&D, marketing, and commercialization teams to review products and packaging throughout stage‑gate processes.
• Review and approve product labels, claims, advertising, ecommerce, and digital materials prior to release.
• Ensure accuracy of nutrition information, declarations, and third‑party claims across product portfolios.

Agency, Audit & Stakeholder Management

• Act as primary liaison with regulatory agencies, external auditors, legal counsel, and industry associations.
• Support regulatory inspections, third‑party certifications, and corporate responsibility initiatives.
• Communicate regulatory risks, changes, and recommendations clearly to senior leadership.

Crisis Management & Product Recall

• Lead product recall and crisis management programs, including preparedness planning and execution of routine exercises.
• Maintain corporate crisis, recall, and traceability programs and documentation.
• Oversee traceability testing and continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing sites.

Customer, Consumer & Internal Support

• Serve as escalation point for complex customer and consumer regulatory or safety inquiries.
• Provide regulatory and compliance documentation to support customer, sales, and export requirements.
• Lead regulatory training initiatives and promote best practices across the organization.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Microbiology, Public Policy, Legal Studies, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in food industry regulatory affairs, compliance, or FSQA leadership roles.
• Strong working knowledge of food regulations, labeling laws, and regulatory processes.
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections, audits, and import/export compliance programs.
• Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams and influence without direct authority.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.