Global Regulatory Affairs Assistant Manager - Foods

Job description

GLOBAL REGULATORY AFFAIRS ASSISTANT MANAGER - FOODS

VLAARDINGEN/WAGENINGEN – start in Vlaardingen and in July 2019 the role will move to Wageningen

Local conditions apply

Full-time

Travel 10 %

BACKGROUND UNILEVER:

Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Food, Home Care, Personal Care and Refreshment products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. It has 161,000 employees. Over half (58%) of the company's footprint is in developing and emerging markets. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Persil, Knorr, Dove, Domestos, Hellmann's, Lipton, Wall's, PG Tips, Ben & Jerry's, Marmite, Magnum, Lynx and Axe.

Unilever R&D will build a new Global Foods Innovation Centre in Wageningen, the Netherlands. The Foods R&D organizations, currently based in Vlaardingen (The Netherlands), Heilbronn (Germany) and Poznan (Poland) will be co-located in the new centre.

In this way Unilever will create critical mass in expertise areas to ensure that the technologies ultimately bring benefit-led, breakthrough innovations to the markets. In addition, we aim to evolve our R&D sites into innovation ecosystems to leverage the knowledge and expertise of external partners.

The new centre is expected to be fully operational by July 2019.

The new jobholder should be willing and able to start this role in Vlaardingen and continue the role in Wageningen as of mid-2019.

MAIN JOB PURPOSE:

The Foods categories (Savoury, Dressings and Food Solutions) are very important to Unilever (approx. 10 Billion € in TO). The Categories drive major innovation and renovation programs to ensure that markets capitalize on growth opportunities and these require appropriate regulatory support and advocacy efforts.

Regulatory Affairs (RA) is a Unilever Capability that consists of approximately 220 RA professionals around the globe, operating in innovation, advocacy and compliance roles at global, regional or local levels. The role of RA is to understand and influence the development and implementation of rules and regulations related to all product groups where Unilever is active. Regulatory issues inherently have many aspects: scientific, technical, food law, enforcement, public affairs and external relations. RA operates at these interfaces and combines expertise on legislation with relevant knowledge of products and processes.

The job holder (JH) is the Global Regulatory Affairs Assistant Manager delivering regulatory support to Savoury, Dressings and Food Solutions categories and reports to the Global RA Manager Foods. The role focuses primarily on innovation/renovation projects and support on various advocacy and issue management efforts. The JH will be based initially in Vlaardingen (NL), with an expected move to Wageningen (NL) mid-2019.

Advice is given to R&D colleagues on various regulatory topics and required technical substantiation of product claims. To support innovation and build compliance on all projects, excellent working relations are needed with Global and Category Design, R&D Technical Project Leaders, Country/Cluster Regulatory Affairs managers, and the Global Product Compliance Team in RA. Outside R&D the JH should work smoothly with Marketing, Legal, Supply Chain and External Affairs.

The JH is also expected to become an expert on one or more Regulatory topics, to handle detailed questions, and to contribute to strategy development for managing these topics.

JOB SUMMARY:

· Provides regulatory input to the category innovation projects

o Supports the Global Design and Science & Technology programs on global research and innovation projects and emerging technologies,

o Provides a regulatory review and assessment for the countries in which the product is to be marketed.

o Is expert on regulatory developments worldwide which could affect the category products, and ensures that these developments are taken into account for the category innovation program

· Supports the Global RA Manager to lead the global RA network

o Monitors what is going on in markets / challenges in/out

o Prepares global regulatory summaries for specific product areas

o Communicates information on issues, issue management, and regulatory news

o Maintains information sharing system to ensure access and alignment on regulatory topics across the category and in the RA capability

· Contributes to the management of Regulatory Affairs activities for the Category

o Provides global regulatory updates on regulations affecting the category, gives training (interprets legislation)

o Participates in development, support, approval and defence of product claims Provides regulatory support to the management of globally relevant category issues and opportunities

o Anticipates regulatory challenges, and provides input for development of category innovation roadmaps and advocacy plans.

o Executes regulatory risk assessments, participates in stress tests

· May work with consultants, external RA experts and 3rd parties related to innovation projects and advocacy topics

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

· Relevant Experience:

o >2 years-experience in FMCG company or trade association

o Min. Bachelor degree in relevant subject (Food Science/Technology, Biological Sciences, Regulatory Affairs, Nutrition Sciences)

o Product development experience

· Key Skills: At least basic appreciation in

o Food Legislation and Regulations

o Product Innovation in Foods (framework, funnel process)

o Foods technology, incl. production processes

o Communication skills

· Key Behaviours:

o Passion for high performance

o Agility

o Personal Mastery

· Other critical personal characteristics:

o Must have a proven ability to quickly develop any of the key skills to Working Knowledge or higher.

o Existing foods regulatory affairs knowledge / experience would be a distinct advantage

o Must have good communication skills, both written and verbal.

o Must be a good team player with agility to respond quickly on any request

o Must show ability to work in a multi-functional, multi-cultural environment

o Must be fluent in English

EXCITED ABOUT THE ROLE:

To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter. Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.