Regulatory and Specifications Analyst

Description

TITLE: Regulatory and Specifications Analyst

REPORTING TO: Regulatory Compliance Manager

LOCATION: Chicago, IL

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At Lactalis in the USA, we're committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive-whether you're just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family-owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we're proud to produce award-winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani Italian cheeses and ricotta, President specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone's cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond cheddar, and Parmalat milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi's, Stonyfield Organic, Brown Cow, Oui, Yoplait, Go-Gurt, :ratio, Green Mountain Creamery, and Mountain High, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun, Gopi, and Arz.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values-Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone's unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don't meet every qualification, we encourage you to apply. We want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

As a Regulatory and Specifications Analyst, the role will carry out responsibilities such as but not limited to the ensuring product compliance to specifications, system maintenance, and artwork approval. The role includes SOP creation and maintenance, certification management, ingredient approvals, product formulation guidance, and artwork review. Additionally, the Quality Analyst will collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders including R&D, Quality, Marketing, Supply Chain, Packaging, Legal, and external partners to align duties with the company's goals and values.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

Labeling & Documentation

• Develop ingredient statements, nutrition information, and product specifications to meet FDA, state, customer, and company labeling requirements.
• Review and approve label artwork, packaging, and product claims to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Create and validate technical label copy, including Nutrition Facts Panels, in accordance with FDA guidelines.
• Maintain regulatory databases to ensure accuracy of ingredient, formula, and nutritional data through collaboration with purchasing, R&D, Quality, and vendors.
• Create nutrition facts panel without the use of specification or formulation software (e.g., Genesis).

Compliance & Risk Management

• Monitor federal and state labeling regulations and update stakeholders on changes that may affect company products.
• Facilitate claim substantiation and certification processes (e.g., Kosher, Halal, Gluten-Free) with appropriate documentation.
• Assess regulatory risks related to product changes, new ingredients, or marketing claims.
• Evaluate regulatory developments and recommend updates to labeling practices or internal processes as needed.
• Implement process improvements to enhance efficiency in regulatory reviews, technical responses, and documentation.

Cross-Functional Support & Training

• Assist in product formula and ingredient approvals to support innovation and commercialization.
• Support internal teams, external partners, and consumers by providing guidance on labeling, nutrition, allergen statements, and certifications.
• Advise cross-functional teams (R&D, Marketing, Quality, Supply Chain) on regulatory requirements throughout product development.
• Develop SOPs, guidance documents, and training materials to support consistent regulatory processes.

Specification

• Assist with creating and maintaining specifications, including product details such as chemistry, sensory attributes, functionality, ingredient lists, nutrition facts, and claims. Specification types may include: Finished Good, Customer Finished Product, and Raw Material (packaging, ingredients, cheese).
• Maintain completeness and accuracy of specifications through all levels of specifications (Raw Material, Packaging, Formula, Finished Good, and Customer) including associated systems (SAP, Master Control, Salsify/GDSN).
• Support the creation, revision, and validation of specifications following established internal processes.
• Track and communicate any changes to specifications clearly and in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Regulatory, and Customer Service teams to prioritize and syndicate specification data to customers through portals, audits, and compliance requests.
• Support the eCommerce team in preparing product content for digital channels and customer portals.
• Investigate and resolve specification-related data within end use systems such as SAP and Salsify/GDSN.
• Manage the status of finished good specifications, formulas, and raw materials throughout internal systems.
• Assist with special projects as assigned.

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education

• A bachelor's degree is required.
• A major in Food Science, Food Technology, Nutrition, Dietetics or a related field is preferred.

Experience

• 2+ years of related experience, including Quality Programs in the manufacturing environment, is preferred.

Certifications and specific knowledge

• The following certification is preferred for this role: HACCP.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office & Excel is required.
• An understanding of Food Labeling is preferred

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affirmative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.