Packaging Regulatory & Compliance Specialist

ofi North America (Olam Food Ingredients); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 77,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time from Day 1

401K Match on Day 1

Career Growth & Learning

Paid Volunteer time off

Job summary

ofi North America, a global leader in food and beverage ingredients, seeks a Packaging Regulatory & Compliance Specialist based in Chicago. You will interpret complex regulations, provide guidance to cross-functional teams, and support sustainability goals.

The role requires 3+ years in regulatory affairs or packaging compliance, with expertise across US, Canada, and EU markets. Onsite 5 days a week at the North American HQ, you will drive regulatory strategies and risk mitigation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 3+ years of experience in regulatory affairs, environmental compliance, or packaging regulations.
• Experience interpreting global packaging legislation and providing guidance to cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with regulatory reporting, documentation, and registrations.
• Experience with SAP, SpecRight or similar platforms is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and interpret global packaging-related regulations (EPR, labeling, recycling, reporting).
• Serve as internal regulatory expert on U.S., Canadian, EU and other jurisdictions.
• Assess impact of legislation on products, packaging and supply chains.
• Develop regulatory guidance documents and frameworks for internal stakeholders.
• Provide actionable regulatory recommendations to multiple teams.
• Coordinate EPR reporting activities and compliance documentation.
• Maintain regulatory intelligence and communicate changes to stakeholders.
• Deliver training on regulatory requirements and trends.

Skills

Regulatory affairs

Environmental compliance

EPR

Sustainability compliance

Packaging regulations

Communication

Regulatory reporting

SAP

SpecRight

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

SAP

SpecRight

Job description

Description

We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable and transparent supply. Supplying products and ingredients at scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. And whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real.

Description

We are a global leader in food & beverage ingredients. Pioneers at heart, we operate at the forefront of consumer trends to provide food & beverage manufacturers with products and ingredients that will delight their consumers. Making a positive impact on people and planet is all part of the delight. With a deep-rooted presence in the countries where our ingredients are grown, we are closer to farmers, enabling better quality, and more reliable, traceable and transparent supply. Supplying products and ingredients at scale is just the start. We add value through our unique, complementary portfolio of natural, delicious and nutritious products. With our fresh thinking, we help our customers unleash the sensory and functional attributes of cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts and spices so they can create naturally good food & beverage products that meet consumer expectations. And whoever we’re with, whatever we’re doing, we always make it real.

Position Summary

As environmental regulations continue to evolve globally, organizations need trusted experts who can interpret complex requirements and translate them into clear business actions. Our commitment is to ensure our packaging portfolio remains compliant with emerging regulations while enabling informed decisions across the organization. We view compliance not simply as meeting legal requirements, but as a strategic capability that helps the company navigate change, mitigate risk, and support sustainability goals. This critical role reports to the Global Head of Regulatory & Food Safety and is based in our North American Headquarters based in downtown Chicago, Illinois. Onsite presence 5 days a week is required for this role. The ideal candidate will enjoy being at the intersection of regulatory compliance, packaging innovation, and business strategy who enjoys staying ahead of regulatory changes, analyzing their business impact, and serving as a trusted advisor to stakeholders.

The Impact

As the Packaging Regulatory & Compliance Specialist, you will serve as the company's subject matter expert on packaging-related environmental regulations, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), recyclability claims, labeling requirements, and packaging waste legislation. You will provide regulatory interpretation and guidance to cross-functional teams, helping the organization understand the implications of changing legislation across the U.S. and global markets.

In this role, you'll be responsible for analyzing regulatory developments, assessing business impacts, and communicating clear compliance requirements to stakeholders. Your expertise will enable the company to proactively respond to regulatory changes, minimize compliance risks, and maintain market access worldwide.

Position Responsibilities

• Monitor, evaluate, and interpret global packaging-related regulations, including EPR, recycling, recyclability claims, packaging waste, labeling, and reporting requirements.
• Serve as the internal regulatory expert on U.S. state packaging laws, Canadian packaging regulations, EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and other emerging global requirements.
• Assess the impact of new and proposed legislation on company products, packaging, supply chains, and business processes.
• Develop and maintain regulatory guidance documents, compliance standards, and interpretation frameworks for internal stakeholders.
• Provide clear, actionable recommendations to packaging, sustainability, procurement, legal, quality, and commercial teams regarding regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate EPR reporting activities, regulatory declarations, registrations, and compliance documentation across relevant jurisdictions.
• Maintain regulatory intelligence processes, tracking legislative developments, implementation timelines, and enforcement activities.
• Support compliance risk assessments and recommend mitigation strategies related to packaging regulations and environmental claims.
• Develop and deliver training programs to educate internal teams on regulatory requirements and emerging legislative trends.
• Represent the company in industry associations, regulatory forums, and external working groups to stay informed of evolving policies and guidance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree is required.
• 3+ years of experience in regulatory affairs, environmental compliance, EPR, sustainability compliance, or packaging regulations.
• Strong understanding of global packaging legislation, including U.S. state EPR laws, recyclability labeling requirements, Canadian regulations, UK packaging obligations, and EU packaging legislation.
• Demonstrated experience interpreting complex regulations and communicating business implications to diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing regulatory reporting, compliance documentation, and jurisdictional registration requirements required.
• Familiarity with compliance management systems, reporting tools, and regulatory databases (e.g., SAP, SpecRight, or similar platforms).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess regulatory risks and identify practical compliance solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to simplify complex regulatory requirements for non-specialists.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail in managing multiple regulatory initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and serve as a trusted advisor on regulatory matters.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience interpreting recyclability regulations and claims-related legislation, including California SB 343 and similar emerging requirements.
• Knowledge of EPR fee structures, producer obligations, and packaging reporting methodologies.
• Participation in industry organizations such as AMERIPEN, SPC, PAC, APR, or similar regulatory and sustainability groups.
• Experience developing corporate compliance policies, governance processes, and regulatory monitoring programs.

ofi provides employees with a comprehensive & competitive benefits package that is designed to support your career, health, and future. A Rewarding Career Awaits!

The pay for this role ranges from $77-102k annually and is based on the position responsibilities and geographic location. Actual pay within this range may be determined based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and/or other determining factors.

• Performance-based Bonuses: Discretionary bonus rewarding company performance as well as your contributions and impact, for eligible roles.
• Comprehensive & Affordable Benefits: Coverage for you (and your eligible dependents) with plans designed for peace of mind and savings for the future.
• A Culture of Well-being: Paid Volunteer time off, access to events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being for you and your family.
• Family Support: Paid parental leave, Fertility benefits and lactation support, including milk shipping for traveling employees.

Additional Perks That Make a Difference

• Vacation time from Day 1 – Your time off starts accruing immediately, growing with your tenure.
• Paid Sick Leave – Rest, recover, and return strong – with paid sick leave on ofi.
• Company Paid Holidays – ofi values work-life balance and the importance of celebrating life’s special moments.
• 401K Match on Day 1 – Invest in your future with our competitive retirement savings program.
• Career Growth & Learning – Join a company committed to developing talent, fostering innovation, and creating meaningful opportunities.

At ofi, we don’t just offer jobs—we provide careers built on impact, inclusion, and innovation. Come grow with us!

ofi provides equality of opportunity for all persons with respect to hiring without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. All employment will be decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us for support at: [email protected]

At ofi, we celebrate our diversity. Olam Americas LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.