Senior Regulatory Specialist, Foods (copy)

IRCA is a prominent international provider of finished goods and semi-finished ingredients for the confection, bakery, frozen dessert markets. They cater to retailers, CPG - food manufacturers and independent producers. The company's core product offerings consist of chocolate, chocolate and sweet decorations, inclusions and variegates for various end use markets.

Headquartered in Italy, IRCA was acquired by Advent International, a global private equity firm, in July 2022. The company has demonstrated a strong history of growth over the past decade. As part of its growth strategy, IRCA made two bolt-on acquisitions in 2022. They acquired Cesarin, a provider of candied fruits, and Anastasi, a supplier of pistachio ingredients. These acquisitions expanded IRCA's product portfolio and market reach.

More recently IRCA acquired the Kerry Sweet business, a leading manufacturer of sweet and cereal products in Europe and the US. The target company focuses on high-value specialty ingredients for the Food Manufacturers segment. Their product range includes sweet particulates, chocolate confections, baked inclusions, variegates, and fruit purées. This deal, successfully completed in March of 2023, is a transformative move for IRCA, establishing them as a global leader in the semi-finished ingredients industry.

With this acquisition, IRCA has a combined revenue of €1 billion in 2023 and a presence in 22 manufacturing facilities across Europe, the US, and Vietnam. This expanded manufacturing footprint and diversified product portfolio positions IRCA as a key player in the market, serving a wide range of customers in the bakery, pastry, and gelato sectors, as well as food manufacturers and retailers.

The primary role of Senior Regulatory Specialist is to work in partnership with the Irca Group’s regulatory team to support regulatory queries from internal and external stakeholders. We are will also for the specialist to build and support existing relationships with customers like Costco and other retailers. You can work remote and must have food experience.

Responsibilities

- Responsible for supporting the execution and operation of various Regulatory processes and procedures in an efficient and timely manner.

- Conducts administrative duties within defined guidelines.

- Manage technical and customer documentation and data accurately and to tight time scales. Executes using conventional/ established processes and structures.

- Create and maintain Technical and Food Safety documentation. Respond to internal & external stakeholders by providing technical guidance, determinations, and documentation.

- Liaise with RD&A, QA, & Operations for technical documentation review/management control.

- Develop effective working relationships with internal and external customers, contributing to overall department Key Performance Indicators.

- Remain fully flexible to meet business requirements as assigned.

Education / Experience

- Degree or local equivalence of same in Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Food Science or related discipline

- Minimum of 7+ years experience of related experience in food industry in Regulatory, Food Safety, Quality Assurance or RD&A

- Food regulatory & legislative knowledge, both domestic and international

- Food Safety and HACCP knowledge is preferred

- Knowledge of ingredient functionality is preferred

- Experience with large retailers or consumer packaged goods manufacturers is preferred

Skills & Competencies

- Work accurately and quickly in a fast-moving environment

- Take initiative; translate direction into a clear plan and perform work accordingly and independently

- Manage multiple projects/activities at once and adapt to changing timelines or priorities

- Execute using established processes and structures as well as optimize procedures

- Collaborate e ffective ly a cross function s

- Strong communication skills, with ability to interface with customers, auditors, and leadership

- Strong commitment to service for business partners and customer s

- Highly organized , detail oriented

- A nalytical and solution driven

- Resilient under pressure

- Flexible and supportive team player

- Ab le to interpret technical, regulatory, and scientific information

- Capable of presenting information clearly to stakeholders at multiple levels

- Proficien cy in Microsoft Office is required ; proficiency in product lifecycle management systems and tools is preferred (e.g., Intelex, Optiva, ERP systems ) .

- Fluency in English is required. Fluency in one or more additional languages is preferred.

May travel up to 5% annually domestically in the USA.
 
Why Join Us:
Irca Group offers career growth opportunities as well as competitive compensation and benefits: Medical, Dental, & Vision, 401(k) matching, Paid Vacation, and Holidays, Employee Education Tuition Reimbursement Program