Product Regulatory Specialist 2

Simmons Foods, Inc.; Siloam Springs (AR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Simmons Foods, Inc. is seeking a detail-oriented professional to manage the product lifecycle data within PLM, coordinating specifications with suppliers and ensuring compliance with labeling and regulatory requirements.

The role emphasizes process improvement, data accuracy, and collaboration across teams to support new product launches and ongoing regulatory activities in a food manufacturing context.

Qualifications

• 2+ years experience in a project coordination or business analyst role.
• Excellent computer skills with respect to the Microsoft Office Suite; intermediate to advanced Excel and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Directs Spec Management process and data collection with suppliers to maintain accurate specifications.
• Directs supplier approval process to qualify new and existing suppliers for production and ensure PLM data is up to date.

Skills

Project coordination

Business analysis

Microsoft Office

Excel

PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor’s degree in animal nutrition, business, graphics, food science or related field

4 years equivalent work experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Purpose of the Position

Directs activities associated with compliance, oversight and guidance for the complete Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) through all modules included in PLM to move information through the system for production. Assist in labeling and regulatory functions for the approval of the specifications and graphics.

Essential Position Responsibilities - This is a Salary Exempt position. Directs Spec Management process. Directs team members in collection and collaboration with suppliers to develop and maintain accurate specifications, including but not limited to raw material specifications, formulas, LIO, Nutrient Profiles, packaging specifications, graphics and trade specs. Monitor inactivation of all components associated with trade specs at end of lifecycle. Input data, where necessary, to keep specifications up to date.

Direct Supplier Approval process. Participates in the approval process to qualify both new and existing suppliers for production. Directs team members to ensure data input into PLM, based on guidelines set forth by leadership, is up to date and accurate to adhere to defined corporate policies. Collaborate with team members and suppliers to update needed information. Monitor supplier portal on outstanding documents as directed by leadership. Work closely with team members and suppliers on system issues to enhance data collection through electronic questionnaires and other programs and processes.

Directs Regulatory Compliance. Directs regulatory team members in validating claims on new product launches. Directs team member’s activities with label library in applicable system and updates as needed. Directs team to ensure proper documentation and fees for label registrations & tonnage fees in a timely fashion, if applicable for Pet Food. Notifies manager of any nonconformance disputes, which arise from states regarding unregistered products for resolution. Provides support to complete state/customer summary annually for use in budget preparation and inquiries from the sales department for potential cost allocation. Collaborates with the team on customer and sales requests to support label and market claims. Research and validate claims on new product launches. Remains current on labeling guidelines issued by USDA, or AAFCO Official Publication, or FDA Code of Federal Regulations, Competition Bureau Canada and other countries for which label review is conducted by Simmons applicable business units. Works closely with management and other team members to ensure compliance and understanding of processes. Provides training, direction and guidance to team members so they understand data collection purpose and process, supplier trending, and process and program understanding.

Explore process improvement activities within the area of responsibility. Focus on system integrations to decrease manual entry between Simmons processes and systems. Work with all team members for reports to help drive business processes for their area of expertise.

Participates as a member of the Technical Services Team. Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues; e.g., direction, annual plan, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of leadership and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, continuous improvement); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: Perform other duties as directed by your supervisor. This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended to describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position. Physical Activities: Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in small print. Presents information to small or large groups. Communicates with Customers, Suppliers, or Employees via telephone, in person, and/or electronic mail. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As needed in required environment.

Travel:

Travels occasionally to manufacturing locations or trade/regulatory conferences. Technical Experience: 2+ year’s experience in a project coordination or business analyst role. Excellent computer skills with respect to the Microsoft Office Suite - intermediate to advanced level skills in Excel and PowerPoint as well as experience preparing documents for presentation. Ability to quickly learn the company’s applicable software suites. Strong communication, project management, and analytical skills and an understanding of basic quality systems are required. Industry Experience: Background in food manufacturing preferred. Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in animal nutrition, business, graphics, food science or related field, or 4 years equivalent work experience. Preferred Education: Graduate degree in animal nutrition, business, graphics, food science, etc. Food Labeling laws and regulations or Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred. We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.