Sr. Regulatory Affairs Specialist

  • Full-time
  • Sub-Department: Food Safety Quality
  • Department: Operations
  • Site Location: Minneapolis

Company Description

At Jack Link’s, we feed the journey. We take pride in rolling up our sleeves and getting things done together. Fueled by creativity, passion, and a commitment to doing things the right way, we tackle the hard stuff first and focus on real progress, bold moves, and no excuses. We create opportunities, celebrate wins, own our misses, and push forward as a team, knowing our strength comes from supporting one another and having fun along the way. We cultivate a workplace where passion meets purpose and our Team Members are inspired, recognized, and rewarded for their contributions. 

If you’re ready to make a difference and build something meaningful, we want you! 

Jack Link's Protein Snacks is a global leader in snacking and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Headquartered in Minong, Wisconsin, Jack Link’s is strategically positioned with production, distribution, and support centers in key locations throughout North America, Brazil, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. This global network allows Jack Link's to deliver a wide variety of high-quality, great tasting protein snacks to consumers around the world. The company’s portfolio of brands includes Jack Link’s®, Lorissa’s Kitchen®, Wild River®, Golden Island®, Country Fresh Meats®, BiFi®, Peperami® , Mariani and Local Legends Meat Snacks.

Job Description

The Sr. Regulatory Affairs Specialist is responsible for creating and assuring compliance of federally regulated product label information, including nutrition, ingredient declaration, allergens, claims and associated product communication. This position manages several projects while working cross-functionally to interpret labeling regulations and communicate regulatory, labeling and compliance matters.  Responsible for filing necessary applications and handling government interactions pertaining to the regulatory process for products requiring governmental approval.

The duties and responsibilities of this position shall consist of, but not be limited to, the following:

Regulatory Expertise and Compliance 

  • Be subject matter expert for product labeling regulations and claims requirements including nutrition, health and ingredient claims.                                
  • Proactively provide regulatory interpretation and guidance cross functionally to teams to ensure labeling compliance.                                      
  • Monitor and maintain up-to-date knowledge of current regulations and food labeling regulatory activity.
  • Ensure ingredients specifications deliver compliant finished products, including ingredient documentation management.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support the identification and creation of opportunities for product labeling, claims and positioning in support of the business strategy.
  • Research and respond to customer and consumer inquiries regarding nutrition, ingredients and claims.

Labeling and Claims Management

  • Generate and maintain product labeling information and claims.   
  • Complete and submit documentation to support regulatory requirements and claims.
  • Manage nutrition label and claims maintenance, including verification of nutrition labeling.
  • Evaluate labeling impact of product reformulation to inform product packaging transitions and disposition decisions. 
  • Review and approve labels and marketing collateral to ensure regulatory compliance.

Process Streamlining and Team Advancement 

  • Contribute to the advancement of the Regulatory Affairs team, identify gaps and provide input into process improvement opportunities.                                                            
  • Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary.

Qualifications

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

  • Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, Food Science, Food Technology or related discipline.
  • 6+ years of progressive food regulatory and labeling experience.
  • Working knowledge of USDA / FDA food labeling regulations and policies.
  • Knowledge of food and nutrient composition related to food labeling.
  • Experience using and managing PLM software to assist in nutritional label creation.

SKILLS/PROFICIENCIES

  • Solutions-oriented team player capable of multi-tasking and working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
  • Organized and detail oriented, with strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
  • Expert knowledge and experience in food labeling and regulatory affairs, preferably with both USDA and FDA.  Working knowledge of CFIA preferred but not required.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, along with influencing and negotiation skills, and an ability to communicate regulatory and technical issues and solutions to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Able to develop open, collaborative and effective cross-functional relationships with Marketing, R&D, FSQ, Legal and other relevant functions and stakeholders.
  • Self-starter and able to work in a variety of different projects and prioritize appropriately.
  • Ability to be flexible with shifting priorities and handling ambiguity.
  • Proficiency in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Additional Information

The pay range for this role is $89,000 - $123,000 (Annual). Actual wage will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. Base pay is just one component of Jack Link’s Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Jack Link’s provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or more up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant/office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet/slippery floors. However, the vast amount of work is conducted in a climate-controlled office. Travel may be required.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Jack Link’s provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

E-VERIFY:
Jack Link’s is participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.  For information about the E-Verify program, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

 

Job Location