Sr Regulatory Specialist

Dole Packaged Foods; Westlake Village (CA); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Dole Packaged Foods is seeking a senior Regulatory Compliance professional in the Americas to independently guide labeling, ingredients, nutrition and claims across US and Canada. You will own regulatory projects, partner with R&D, Marketing, Legal and Supply Chain to embed compliance into commercialization, and mentor junior staff.

The role supports a hybrid work model with our Westlake Village, CA office and frequent cross-border collaboration.

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Regulatory Affairs or related roles within food/bev or consumer packaged goods.
• Advanced working knowledge of U.S. food regulations including labeling, nutrition, allergens, ingredients and claims; Canadian knowledge is a plus.
• Proven ability to develop defensible regulatory positions, risk assessments, and practical implementation strategies for evolving requirements.
• Ability to independently review product claims, labels, packaging artwork and provide actionable regulatory guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide regulatory guidance on labeling, nutrition, allergens and claims for the U.S., Canada and other Americas markets.
• Review labels, packaging artwork, specifications for regulatory compliance across regions.
• Lead complex regulatory projects including new products, reformulations and packaging changes.

Skills

Regulatory Affairs

U.S. Food Regulations

Regulatory Strategy

Cross-functional Collaboration

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor’s in Food Science/Regulatory

Advanced degree/Certification preferred

Job description

Purpose

Dole Packaged Foods is a purpose led organization that is a champion of accessible fruit nutrition and builds a brighter future for people through the goodness of fruit.

At Dole, our culture is uniquely driven by core Values. Our commitment to these Values transforms our work into a meaningful journey toward a brighter future together. Here, you'll be part of a respectful, inclusive culture that deeply values our colleagues, customers, and global communities. We strive for excellence, empowering each other to confidently overcome challenges, continuously learn, and achieve world-class results. Guided by unwavering integrity, our actions consistently reflect our commitment to always doing what's right, fostering lasting trust and strong relationships. Through a spirit of collaboration, we cultivate positivity, generosity, and genuine teamwork, enabling collective success toward our One Dole Purpose. Our innovative spirit leads directly to meaningful outcomes and business success.

This role serves as a senior individual contributor within the Americas Regulatory Compliance team and is expected to independently manage assigned regulatory activities, provide technical guidance to cross-functional partners, and support the Senior Manager, Regulatory Compliance — Americas in the execution of regional regulatory priorities. The role independently develops and documents regulatory positions, translates evolving requirements into practical business strategies, and provides management-ready recommendations regarding compliance risk, commercialization, and implementation priorities.

The position will play an important role in strengthening the capability and effectiveness of the Regulatory Compliance team by providing technical leadership, supporting the development of junior team members, serving as a first point of escalation for routine and moderately complex regulatory matters, and acting as a senior technical evaluator of significant regulatory issues.

This role provides flexibility to work in a hybrid environment of home and our Westlake Village, CA office. (Hybrid is defined as 3 times per week in the office).

Responsibilities

Primary Accountabilities

Regulatory Compliance, Technical Support, and Decision Support

• Independently provide regulatory guidance on food labeling, ingredients, nutrition, allergens, claims and other applicable product requirements.
• Review product labels, packaging artwork, specifications and related documentation for compliance with U.S., Canadian and other applicable Americas regulatory requirements.
• Research and interpret regulatory requirements and translating them into practical guidance for the business. Including, developing clear, technically defensible regulatory positions where requirements are new, ambiguous, or conflicting; documenting assumptions and risks, and providing options and recommended actions.

Regulatory Portfolio & Project Ownership

• Own and manage assigned market, product and category portfolios as well as lead complex regulatory projects, including new products, reformulations, packaging changes and new and emerging regulations.
• Partner with R&D, Marketing, FSQA, Legal, Supply Chain and other functions to ensure regulatory requirements are incorporated into commercialization and business decisions.
• Identify regulatory risks and elevate significant, complex or precedent-setting matters to the Senior Manager, Regulatory Compliance — Americas.

Regulatory Monitoring & Risk Assessment

• Lead horizon scanning in areas of responsibility, monitor new and emerging regulatory requirements and assess potential impacts to Dole products, packaging, claims and business operations.
• Develop and coordinate implementation roadmaps and support compliance actions in response to changing regulatory requirements.
• Support consistent implementation of Global FSQR standards and processes across the Americas.

Technical Leadership & Team Capability

• Serve as a senior technical resource and first point of support for Regulatory Coordinators and Analysts on day-to-day matters.
• Provide technical review, guidance and coaching to strengthen the quality, consistency and independence of the Regulatory Compliance team.
• Support onboarding and development of junior team members and promote sharing of regulatory knowledge and best practices.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Experience, Knowledge, Skills You Bring:

• 5-8+ years of progressively responsible experience in Regulatory Affairs, Regulatory Compliance, or related experience within the food and beverage or consumer packaged goods industry.
• Advanced working knowledge of U.S. food regulations, including labeling, nutrition, allergens, ingredients and claims; Knowledge of Canadian requirements is a plus.
• Demonstrated success developing defensible regulatory positions, written risk assessments, and practical implementation strategies for ambiguous or emerging requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to independently review product claims, product labels, packaging artwork and other regulatory documentation and provide practical regulatory guidance.
• Experience supporting new product development, reformulation and commercialization activities in a cross-functional environment.
• Strong regulatory research, analytical and problem-solving skills with sound judgement regarding regulatory risk and escalation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear business guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently and provide technical guidance and coaching to less experienced team members.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Passionate about a purpose driven career
• Passionate about collaborating respectfully in diverse and inclusive team environments
• Proactively seeks feedback and continuously improves work quality
• Consistently adheres to ethical standards and maintains transparency
• Actively contributes to achieving collective team goals

Education & Certification

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Regulatory Affairs, Chemistry, Biology or another relevant scientific or technical discipline required.
• Advanced degree or relevant regulatory certification preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and use the computer for extended periods of time; ability to answer phones and use a variety of office equipment; ability to lift 15 pounds and reach overhead.

Travel Requirements

• Up to 20% travel is expected.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.

For Jobs Based In California

Hiring Pay Scale: $105,000 to $125,000

Dole Packaged Foods is committed to paying our Associates fairly and equitably. The pay rate offered will consider a wide range of factors, including but not limited to experience, education, accomplishments, and location. Pay scales are subject to review on a regular basis and will be updated as appropriate.