NA Innovation & Portfolio Compliance Manager

Mars; Creve Coeur (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mars University access

Company bonus

Competitive compensation

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Mars is seeking an Innovation & Portfolio Compliance Manager to ensure compliant, on-time product launches across North America. The role validates formulas, packaging, and labeling against US/Canadian regulations, protecting brands from regulatory risk.

The incumbent will own regulatory deliverables, collaborate with PM and Marketing, and maintain current regulatory knowledge across NA markets. A strong scientific background and 5+ years in regulated industries are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific or technical field is required.
• Minimum 5 years in regulatory/QA/product deployment in pet food, human food, or related CPG industry.
• Experience with product commercialization processes, including formulation and packaging/labeling review.
• Knowledge of AAFCO, FDA, and/or CFIA regulations preferred.
• High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple high-priority projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently.
• Excellent communication skills to interpret scientific and legal documents.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and strong computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute regulatory deliverables for an assigned portfolio of projects.
• Provide regulatory advice for product deployment, including claim validation and packaging review.
• Maintain current knowledge of regulations for North America and contribute to risk registers.
• Support R&D and Product Design with regulatory guidance during development.
• Assist in compiling scientific dossiers and supporting product registration.

Skills

Scientific foundation

Regulatory experience

Product deployment

Formulation review

Packaging/labeling

AAFCO/FDA/CFIA knowledge

Attention to detail

Independent work

Communication skills

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's in life sciences

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Job Description:

We are seeking an Innovation & Portfolio Compliance Manager with a strong scientific foundation and experience supporting product commercialization in a regulated industry. The ideal candidate will leverage technical expertise to ensure compliant, on-time product launches across North America while protecting our brands from regulatory risk.

The Innovation & Portfolio Compliance Manager is responsible for executing the regulatory compliance framework to ensure compliant, on-time product launches across North America. This role serves as a critical regulatory checkpoint for finished products, responsible for validating that product formulas, packaging, and labeling are accurate and compliant with all applicable U.S. and Canadian regulations. By owning this critical control point, this position directly protects our brands and business from the risks of marketplace non-compliance, launch delays, and costly rework.

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong scientific and technical foundation with the ability to evaluate product formulations, ingredients, packaging, and labeling.
• Bachelor's degree in a scientific or technical field such as Animal Science, Food Science, Nutrition, or a related discipline is required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a regulatory, quality assurance, or product deployment role within pet food, human food, or a related CPG industry.
• Demonstrated experience with product commercialization processes, including formulation and packaging/labeling review.
• Knowledge of AAFCO, FDA, and/or CFIA regulations is strongly preferred.
• High degree of attention to detail with a proven ability to manage multiple high-priority projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently without close supervision.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to interpret scientific and legal documents.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (with emphasis on Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) and strong computer skills.

Key responsibilities

Project Execution & Delivery: Own and execute the regulatory deliverables for an assigned portfolio of innovation and renovation projects. Act as the primary regulatory contact for Project Management and the Graphic Chain to resolve executional roadblocks and meet established timelines.

Product Compliance: Provide regulatory advice for product deployment, including claim validation, finished product formula review, and final regulatory review of packaging artwork. Confirm 100% accuracy of claims, guarantees, and ingredient statements against approved master content. Review product labels, web content, and marketing materials to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.

Regulatory Knowledge & Risk Management: Maintain a current knowledge base of existing and emerging regulations, standards, and guidance documents for product compliance in North America (AAFCO, FDA, CFIA). Contribute to an ongoing regulatory risk register and assist in the development and implementation of mitigation plans for high-priority risks.

Cross-Functional Support: Support R&D and Product Design with regulatory guidance during new product development. Participate in the claim review process, working with stakeholders to ensure claim validation and substantiation. Assist in compiling scientific dossiers and strategic defense to support product registration as needed.

Other duties as assigned to support a compliant portfolio of products in North America.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
• Join a purpose-driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• A strong focus on learning and development from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
• An industry-competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.