Regulatory Manager (Flavors)

Vibrant Ingredients; Cranbury Township (NJ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous vacation time

Paid holidays

401(k) with company match

Health & Wellness programs

Job summary

Vibrant Ingredients seeks a Regulatory Manager to interpret U.S. and international food and flavor regulations affecting ingredients, labeling, certifications, and customer documentation.

Translate complex regulations into practical guidance and oversee day-to-day regulatory operations to support compliant product development and customer support. Collaborate with R&D, Quality, Commercial, and Operations, lead a regulatory team, and ensure accurate documentation, certifications, and compliance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Quality, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, or related field.
• 5+ years’ experience in flavor industry; additional experience in food/beverage, ingredients, or related consumer goods industry a plus.
• Working knowledge of global food and flavor regulations (FDA, FEMA GRAS, USDA, CFIA, EU, Organic, Kosher, Halal, TTB, labeling, import/export).
• Experience with Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade, and Non-GMO Verification Project preferred.
• Knowledge of Dietary Supplements, AAFCO, and IFRA a plus.
• Experience supporting innovation pipelines and new product development from a regulatory perspective.

Responsibilities

• Regulatory oversight for assigned portfolios across U.S. and international regulations.
• Interpret regulatory requirements for ingredients, formulations, labels, and certifications.
• Review and approve product documentation including formulations and labels.
• Support regulatory assessments for new product development and ingredient qualification.
• Serve as regulatory expert for flavor ingredients and formulations.

Skills

Regulatory interpretation

Leadership

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Food Science

Tools

MS Office

Regulatory databases

Salesforce

Product Vision

Business Central

Job description

Founded in 1954, Vibrant Ingredients is a leading provider of natural, clean label ingredients and systems that power extraordinary food and beverage experiences. The company’s broad portfolio — including natural flavors, botanical extracts, functional nutrition, cold brew coffee, tea essences, and food protection solutions — enhances taste, texture, color, shelf life, and performance across a wide range of applications. Vibrant operates four state-of-the-art facilities across the United States and works with leading brands, manufacturers, and foodservice operators. With vertically integrated capabilities and a proven track record of innovation and execution, Vibrant helps customers accelerate to market without compromise. Our Cranbury Flavor Innovation Center reflects our commitment to the future of flavor innovation and our belief that exceptional products begin with exceptional people.

About the role:

We are a trusted partner to our customers when it comes to innovation and an industry leader in clean label ingredients, we are a true partner. We collaborate with our customers in ways that respect people and the environment. A commitment to Purely Better™ drives our innovation team to discover new, on trend solutions. Collaborate with flavorists and product development scientists throughout the innovation process. Evaluate regulatory implications early to support creative product development while minimizing commercialization risk.

As a Regulatory Manager, you will interpret U.S. and international food and flavor regulations affecting ingredients, formulations, labeling, certifications, and customer documentation. Translate complex regulations into practical business guidance. Evaluate regulatory implications early to support creative product development while minimizing commercialization risk. Oversee day-to-day regulatory operations, ensure compliance across assigned product lines, support market-access activities, and lead a team of regulatory professionals. You will partner closely with R&D, Quality, Commercial, and Operations teams to provide regulatory expertise that enables compliant product development, customer support, and operational excellence.

How will you contribute:

At Vibrant, you'll find more than an exciting career opportunity. You'll join a team passionate about science, innovation, and helping customers succeed. Our collaborative culture encourages curiosity, creativity, and continuous learning while providing opportunities to make meaningful contributions from day one. Whether partnering with world class flavorists, supporting customer innovation, or helping develop the next generation of food and beverage solutions, your work will make a visible impact.

Essential job functions and duties include, but are not limited to:

Regulatory Operations & Compliance

• Manage regulatory oversight for assigned portfolios, ensuring compliance with applicable U.S. and international food & flavor regulations (FDA, FEMA, EFSA, CFIA, USDA, TTB).
• Interpret regulatory requirements for ingredients, formulations, certifications, claims, and labeling.
• Review and approve standard and moderately complex product documentation, including formulations, labels, and customer regulatory statements.
• Support regulatory assessments for new product development and ingredient qualification.
• Serve as the regulatory expert for all flavor ingredients and formulations.

Team Management & Development

• Supervise, mentor, and develop Senior Regulatory Specialists and Regulatory Specialists.
• Assign workload and maintain clear team priorities aligned with business needs.
• Support onboarding, training, and continuous development of regulatory staff.
• Ensure accurate and consistent outputs and support team KPI delivery.

Product Documentation & Customer Support

• Ensure timely preparation and maintenance of regulatory documents (TDS, SDS, allergen/GMO statements, nutritional and natural certifications, NGP forms, Kosher/Halal certs, COO, Prop 65, flavor labeling, TTB submissions, and more).
• Support global market-entry requirements through certification preparation and regulatory submissions.
• Support customer requests, audits, documentation portals, and documentation reviews.
• Provide compliance guidance to internal teams to support product development and commercialization.

Regulatory Intelligence & Process Improvement

• Monitor regulatory changes and industry updates impacting flavors, ingredients, and consumer products.
• Communicate regulatory updates internally and recommend appropriate actions.
• Drive improvements in regulatory systems, digital tools, and documentation workflows.
• Support audit, inspection, and compliance review preparation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with R&D, Quality, Procurement/Supply Chain, Marketing, and Sales to ensure compliant product development and ingredient qualification.
• Serve as a regulatory subject‑matter expert in cross‑functional meetings.
• Collaborate with customers and regulatory agencies to resolve regulatory issues.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Quality, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, or related field.
• 5+ years’ experience in flavor industry; additional experience in food/beverage, ingredients, or related consumer goods industry a plus.
• Working knowledge of global food and flavor regulations (FDA, FEMA GRAS, USDA, CFIA, EU, Organic, Kosher, Halal, TTB, labeling, import/export).
• Experience with Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade, and Non-GMO Verification Project preferred.
• Knowledge of Dietary Supplements, AAFCO, and IFRA a plus.
• Experience supporting innovation pipelines and new product development from a regulatory perspective.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong regulatory interpretation and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate regulatory requirements for both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Highly organized and capable of managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong cross‑functional influence with a compliance‑driven mindset.
• Proficiency in MS Office and regulatory database systems; experience with Salesforce and Product Vision preferred; Business Central a plus.
• May involve exposure to allergens such as Soy, Wheat, Fish, Shellfish, Milk, Egg, Tree Nuts and Sesame.

What Vibrant Ingredients can offer you:

• Generous time off for vacations
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Health & Wellness programs

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future. Vibrant Ingredients does not provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Come join us in building what's next:

Vibrant Ingredients, headquartered in Lake Mary, FL, is one of the world's leading independent providers of natural ingredients. With a legacy spanning over 70 years, we deliver a diverse portfolio of clean label ingredients and innovative system solutions to the food and beverage industry. Our commitment to quality and performance is reflected in our American-made products, which enhance both taste and functionality. Backed by advanced manufacturing capabilities, we specialize in fermentation, patented cold brew extraction, custom flavor development, and a range of drying and blending technologies. Operating from four state-of-the-art facilities strategically located across the U.S., we ensure the accessibility of real, high-quality ingredients—helping our customers create better-for‑you food and beverage for consumers.

"Improving the food and beverages consumed by providing real ingredients from nature that work."

Employees are eligible to participate in Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401(k), Holidays, Vacation, Tuition Reimbursement Program.

The final salary offered for this position may take into account a number of factors including, but not limited to, location, skills, education, and experience.

The Company reserves the right to modify, update, change and/or make corrections to this job description, at the sole discretion of senior management, at any time during the employee’s employment term, at the sole discretion of management.

EEO Statement

Vibrant Ingredients is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce and providing accommodations for people with disabilities in all parts of the hiring process as required under its Employment Accommodation Policy. Vibrant Ingredients will work with applicants to meet accommodation needs that are made known to Vibrant Ingredients in advance.