Local & Deploy Compliance Specialist - R&D

Job description

Background & Purpose of the Job

Unilever Food Solutions (UFS), the foodservice arm of Unilever Canada, is looking for a talented deploy & compliance specialist to generate and approve food label information including ingredient declarations, nutrition facts panels, and claims to assure labels meet Canadian regulations. The successful candidate will be a contributing member of the NA Foods & Refreshments Deploy team and based in Toronto.

The candidate must understand existing and upcoming regulations and should have a strategic eye to support with the investigation and identification of synergies with the retail arm of Unilever. This position is never boring and requires an exceptional multi-tasker who works across all functions (marketing, sales, regulatory affairs, culinary and quality) and communicates on matters relating to product labeling, compliance and claims that highlight technical benefits. The ideal candidate will be able to work on many projects at one time, be an independent worker as well as collaborative, be a self-starter, with a strong sense of responsibility and accountability, a good communicator (verbally and in writing) and is adept in systems to quickly learn the tools used for label generation.

Who You Are & What You'll Do

This Deploy & Compliance role is critical within UFS NA. It is a role that helps recognize and resolve regulatory questions and issues pertaining to food labeling that arise on the food service business (examples include: gluten-free labeling, PHVO, vegetarian status, all on-pack claims). This job reports to the Sr. R&D Manager of NA Deploy, Foods & Refreshments Canada. Minimum 1-2 years related experience and university graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree.

• You're a dot connector: The position works in conjunction with regional cross category R&D, Regulatory and Marketing teams to provide technical guidance around labeling requirements, product benefits and claims, and then develops and approves accurate food label information including allergen, nutrition, and ingredient statements that comply with Canadian regulations.

• You love to win, and have fun doing it: You will understand and implement regulatory changes and their impact on products, to ensure delivery of competitive claims and labelling for UFS Canada.

• You're a story teller: The candidate will have confidence to partner with marketing and customer teams to drive activities and claims that support the local customer.

• You're a strategy guru: You will recognize and investigate product, ingredient and label synergies with the retail arm of Unilever and make recommendations on how to leverage these.

• You're a paradox navigator: You'll apply technical knowledge on the products, labels and relevant regulations to navigate through incident and crisis management scenarios, as required.

What You'll Need to Succeed

· Develop food label information including allergen declaration, nutrition and ingredient lists that are compliant with Unilever Standards and Canadian Government regulations.
· Verify compliance of product labels, including ingredient lists, allergen statements, nutrition facts, nutrition claims, prior to the approval and printing of final Artwork.
· Complete and file Meat registrations with the USDA, through use of a consultant.
· Support the development and maintenance of the nutrition, formulation, and specification databases.
· Stay current with Health Canada regulations as they apply to food service product labels.
· Work on cross functional teams (R&D, Marketing, Legal, Regulatory, and Supply Chain) to provide compliant label for innovation / renovation projects. Develop extensive networks with partners in Regulatory, Food Labelling & Compliance and Product Development.
· Lead projects that relate to labelling and compliance issues
· Leading UFS product showings/cuttings with UFS Chef for purposes of unlocking synergies with Retail
· Support Foods Canada Deploy team on UL Canada events, Sales meetings, and showings.
· Lead the process of specification creation in SAP PLM from the request to the approved status for some ingredient or product changes.
· Identify improved ways of working and simplified processes.
· Operate according to procedures and ways of working in line with Unilever frameworks, standards, and policies (SHE, SEAC, etc.), relevant regulations (i.e. Health Canada), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
· Adheres to all company policies, programs, rules, regulations, and safety rules.

What We Can Offer You

Culture for Growth | Top Notch Employee Health & Well Being Benefits | Every Voice Matters | Global Reach | Life at Unilever | Careers with Purpose | World Class Career Development Programs | Check Out Our Space | Focus On Sustainability

Please note: as part of the job application, you will be asked to complete pre-screening questions. Completion of the pre-screening questions are mandatory in order to be considered. Please allow yourself plenty of time to complete both the application and pre-screening questions. If the pre-screening questions are partially answered or not at all, it will adversely affect the progress of your application. Please be aware that you will have to complete the pre-screening questions at once as you will be unable to return to it later.

Unilever is an equal opportunity employer. It prohibits discrimination based on age, colour, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other legally protected class in accordance with applicable federal, provincial and local laws. Unilever is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you are contacted for an interview and require accommodation during the interviewing process, please let us know.