Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Job Description:

We have an opportunity for aSenior Scientific and Regulatory Affairs - UK/IRL Market Lead(known internally as - Program Manager SRA (Science & Regulatory Affairs) UK/IRL) to join us at Mars. You will lead a variety of regional regulatory activities related to raw materials, finished products, labelling, claims, packaging and supporting UK/IRL. In this role, you will provide leadership and guidance to internal partners on regulatory matters, recommend options and implement solutions to resolve problems so that products can be brought to market in the UK and Ireland, and across the broader region of EU, CEAB and Turkey.

You’ll represent Mars and actively participate and lead on external activities as a member of industry associations. You will also be part of a regional organisation covering around 40 markets located across 7 different sites.

This is a hybrid working role with around 2 days per week based from our Slough site.

Salary circa £68,000 plus 20% annual bonus + Car Allowance

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Accountable for the development and execution of the external regulatory influencing strategy related to UK/IRL. Works with internal partners to understand priorities and impacts of developing legislation and aligns appropriate external positions.
• Accountable for providing regulatory and strategic guidance to relevant internal partners on existing and new regulations and emerging regulatory issues of interest to the Company and managing technical regulatory issues. Maintains up to date knowledge on key developments in food law and policy via literature reviews, conference attendance, and participation in professional association activities so that the potential impact to MWC can be examined and addressed or opportunities can be generated and materialised and communicates relevant information to stakeholders;
• Proactively influences local, regional and global strategies by providing strategic Scientific and Regulatory Affairs advice to the UK and Ireland business, anticipates regulatory issues and works with legal counsel, consultants, suppliers, and trade associations and other external partners to clarify and resolve these issues and works in cross-functional and cross segment project teams to support overall business goals;
• Provides leadership for compliance activities in UK/IRL and the region to ensure adherence to internal compliance processes and practices, and continuously reviews and improves these processes and procedures; Has accountability for assuring ingredients, formulas, labelling, and packaging are in full compliance with laws and regulations in UK/IRL and the region;
• Develops SRA positions regarding the safety and acceptability of products and ingredients, and leads activities to ensure both the continued use of ingredients and gain approval for new ingredients in UK/IRL;
• Leads complex and strategically important SRA projects, with local, regional, and sometimes even global scope and impact.

What are we looking for?

Education & Professional Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in a technical area, such as food chemistry, nutrition, food science, biology, chemistry, toxicology or pharmacology or equivalent experience
• Fluent English speaker
• Desirable: A Master's degree in a technical area, such as food chemistry, nutrition, food science, biology, chemistry, toxicology or pharmacology.

Knowledge / Experience

• Strong experience in scientific and/or regulatory compliance/affairs and/or a related technical area with food products or related product categories (such as food supplements, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and natural health products) with proficiency in food law, nutrition policy, and regulatory affairs for Europe and UK/Ireland.
• Experience working on large-scale regulatory compliance or regulatory affairs projects involving formulas, ingredients, claims and labelling; a demonstrated track record of working successfully across functions to achieve shared goals; and proven ability to interact cross-functionally at all levels within the organization are required.
• Experience working with trade associations and government agencies to clarify and resolve regulatory matters is required.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with both internal and external parties.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with over 130,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

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