Compliance Specialist

The Compliance Specialist, under direct supervision, is responsible for leading compliance for the Product Control Division (PCD). The incumbent works under the guidance of the Compliance Manager to ensure Wismettac products sold in North America comply with both countries of production and country of sales regulatory requirements.

• Responsible for developing product names, weight statements, ingredient statements, allergen declarations, descriptions, nutrition facts panels, and claims compliant with government requirements and standards of identities. This includes ensuring compliance with all label-related health and wellness claims.
• Collaborate with manufacturers globally and develop private brand products.
• Work cooperatively with external vendors, and internal staff management to provide packaging graphics content that meets the needs of all business units.
• Evaluate regulatory issues and provide accurate and timely recommendations, as needed, to management.
• Maintain all regulatory files/databases and chronologies in good order. Establish and maintain systems for tracking changes in documentation.
• Be able to understand and prepare the Company Product List and review labeling and labels for compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Carry out the completion of country-specific Product Compliance forms when required.
• Maintain good relationships with suppliers and customers.
• Generate and approve food label information including ingredient declarations, allergens, nutrition facts panels, and claims to assure compliance with USDA and FDA labeling.
• Documents various work according to established procedures and guidelines provides timely and effective oral and written communication and prepares reports (in English and Japanese) to the project team to ensure complete communication of project status, progress, issues, solutions, timeline, and accountability.
• Maintain current knowledge of FDA, USDA, GMP, HACCP, and government agencies and follow the standards applicable to the products and process.
• Engage in cross-functional collaboration with team members, Branch Operations, and Corporate division.
• Supports innovation by joining in the development of new ideas, new products, or new product platforms.
• Other duties assigned by the Product Control Division.

Education, Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Food Science, Dairy Science, Foods & Nutrition Studies, Biological Sciences, or a related field 
• 2 years of experience in a regulatory position within a food company 
• Regulatory affairs experience
• Experience using Word, Excel, and MS Office programs

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

• Knowledge of FDA and USDA regulations is preferred.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of food ingredients, food chemistry, food processing, and food functionality.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including timely follow-up commitment to deliverables, and openness to give and receive feedback.
• PC skills including Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Word.
• Strong leadership skills/ability to manage key stakeholders.
• Problem-solving solid skill set with the ability to think “outside of the box”.
• Team player with a collaborative style and strong listening and partnering skills.
• Culturally sensitive with the ability to work in a global multicultural cross-functional organization, requiring the ability to work effectively across cultures.
• Ability to discuss technical regulations with non-technical colleagues in a way that is easily understandable.
• Ability to develop strong cross-functional relationships with internal business partners within PCD as well as Sales, Logistics, and operation staff members to drive strong collaboration and results.
• Ability to work independently in leading plan development and execution for assigned projects and tasks.
• Self-starter, flexible, comfortable working in unstructured fast-paced environments, able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
• Able to proofread and check documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Must comprehend and communicate technical articles, research papers, or presentations.
• Must be able to apply technical knowledge learned.
• Basic ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and offer solutions.
• Able to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Flexibility with global working hours to adjust for various time zones to accommodate global responsibilities.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Working Conditions

Work in a comfortable office environment. They frequently work more than the standard 50 hours a week to ensure procurement deadlines are met. Compliance Specialists may spend a few hours in the warehouse to see if products have arrived from vendors. Travel is sometimes necessary. Compliance Specialists may even travel outside the United States.