REGULATORY COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST

Provide expertise in the area of food labeling regulations as it relates to reviewing and approving corporate brand labels for nutritional, health/structure/function claims and regulatory labeling requirements. Assist in communicating how to label consumer packages as it relates to nutritional labeling and other regulatory requirements. Perform all jobs safely, efficiently, and accurately to maintain and improve the performance of the entire division in the areas of Safety, Quality, Reliability (SQR) and our Customer 1st strategy. Demonstrate the company’s core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety. 

• Review and approve consumer package artwork for nutritional and regulatory compliance requirements, such as font size, text placement, proper product name, claims, principal display panel, information panel, etc. for FDA/USDA regulated food products, pet food products and non-food products.
• Review “CLAIMS” on packaging, point of sale signs, and marketing brochures for accuracy
• Review independent peer review papers to substantiate health/structure/function claims
• Keep current with regulatory and technological changes that may affect labeling laws for the food industry by maintaining professional contacts with peers in the industry, trade associations, and government agencies
• Communicate technical labeling requirements to Quality Assurance/Product Development technologists, Packaging managers, Corporate Brands category managers, Merchandising staff, and design labeling companies
• Provide technical support to other regulatory compliance issues such as menu labeling, nutrition labeling and education act, etc.
• Travel to locations throughout the U.S. for necessary training as applicable
• Follow established programs, policies, and practices to produce safe, quality foods that meet regulatory and company requirements 
• Support the development, implementation, maintenance, and ongoing improvement of quality programs
• Accountable to the Kroger Manufacturing Food Safety and Quality Principles
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation 

Minimum

• Bachelor’s degree in food science, food safety, regulatory compliance, or a related field
• 2+ years of experience in consumer package label compliance, food science, food product development and/or food quality assurance
• Ability to comprehend and interpret FDA/USDA/AAFCO labeling regulations and postings in the federal register
• Effective communication skills for non-regulatory audiences

Desired

• Experience with food labeling laws and regulations 
• Food plant quality assurance knowledge
• Product development knowledge
• Experience in developing training for labeling, consumer package requirements
• Demonstrate excellence in project planning and execution through project evaluation and use of resources to lessen the time of the label approval process
• Excellent ability in presenting to leadership and business partners regarding applicable regulatory changes and how they affect our business and brand