Regulatory Affairs Associate Manager

About the Position

Regulatory Affairs Associate Manager ensuring Food Regulatory Compliance and enabling market access for products. Managing product registrations with authority, as well as reviewing, verifying product information and coordinating documentation for regulatory submissions. Supporting regulatory strategies, maintaining strong relationships with local authorities and internal stakeholders to support business growth. Monitoring and analyzing legislative/regulation changes and their impact on our products- brands- and organization. Presenting the organization in various trade associations and industry groups to proactively manage food regulatory advocacy as well as keeping internal stakeholders informed through continuous monitoring of emerging regulations. You’ll be directly reporting into Head of Regulatory Affairs – East & dotted-line reporting to Head of Legal Türkiye.

Key Responsibilities

• Check the compliance of the products’ labels in Turkey against the relevant legislations- government guidelines and company policies. All brands the company produces and imports.

• Check the compliance of the health and nutritional and other claims against the relevant legislation.

• Support the Marketing team in providing and approving legislation of the products’ information relating to product functional – health – nutritional claims including ads and online marketing.

• Provide information and advice on legislation for product formulation- packaging- and labelling issues.

• Prepare product registration files with claim substantiation docs and follow up till registration is done.

• Be in direct contact with distributors or get support from 3rd party companies (for export destinations) to support and understand any new regulatory updates/ requirements.

• Support the business with regulatory information relating to products produced and sold in other regions.

• Work with cross country teams to ensure regulatory compliance of export and import products including filling necessary applications.

• Leading Regulatory Horizon Scanning for upcoming regulatory related changes for the business. Build and maintain relationships with the relevant industrial groups, authorities, and global horizon scan team to maintain awareness of new food legislations.

• Leading Proactive – Raw Material Forecasting Model for upcoming regulatory changes for raw materials, those can have impact for the business, by monitoring regulatory changes in other regions. Proactively manage likelihood vs. business impact mapping, sharing criticality and regulatory forecasting map with cross functional team to take necessary actions for business readiness proactively.

• Track- monitor and report completion of necessary changes that need to be done due to new regulations in order to prevent any penalties from authority.

• Ensure that ingredients- formulas- labeling- and packaging are in full compliance with the local laws and regulations where the products are sold; and provide training to the organization on relevant regulatory topics.

• Monitor and provide advice/analysis on best practices from the market for the categories we play in & share it consistently with other RA teams across the company.

• Participating in industrial groups regular meetings (Federation of Food & Drink Industry Associations, Amcham Turkey Food & Agriculture Committee, Salkonder) to proactively monitor and manage regulatory changes, analyzing their business impacts and developing advocacy strategies. Leading necessary internal communications with team to initiate compliance actions to prevent or minimize business risks from new laws.

• Build strategic relationships with regulators and legislative bodies (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MinAF), Directorate General for Food and Control (GDFC)) in Turkey by maintaining consistent communication with them to gain insights for upcoming regulatory changes and shape them (front of pack, nutritional labelling, food additives approvals, etc.).

• Connecting to Kraft Heinz global horizon scan team to monitor upcoming regulation changes to identify risk or opportunities for the business.

• Driving cross-functional cooperation to effectively respond to regulatory related questions, challenges and issues raised for local, import and export products. Supporting supply chain and custom agency team regarding product claim and compliance related documents.

• Executing company-wide regulatory strategies, provide technical and strategic guidance, training to cross functional teams.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Technology/ Pharmacy or related disciplines. Master degree is an advantage

• Minimum 5-10 years working experience in the field of regulatory affairs (Turkish Food Law, Turkish Food Codex, Codex Alimentarius, EU Regulations) preferably within an international FMCG environment.

• Good understanding of the commercial drivers of F&B industry and an associated ability to provide advice/guidance that takes these into consideration.

• Building regulatory network internally and externally.

• Familiar with Turkey food registration procedures and regulatory aspects.

• Analytical skills and attention to detail with the capability to appropriately define issues, questions, and data

• Skills such as project management, problem solving, ability to present information in easily understood format at internal and external meetings, good time management, negotiation and interpersonal skills

• Ability to think strategically and act proactively for possible regulatory related risk for the business.

• Commitment to continuous improvement in department processes and performance.

• Strong team player, assisting others, having ability to build strong cross functional team network and cooperation.

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team as required.

• Be able to balance company commercial needs with compliance requirements.

• Excellent written, presentation and verbal communication skills.

• Fluency in English and Turkish

This position can be based in either Susurluk factory or İstanbul Headquarter.

About Us
The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. We’re a globally trusted producer of high-quality, great-tasting, and nutritious foods for over 150 years. Our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

No matter the brand, we’re united under one vision To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally. Bringing this vision to life is our team of 39,000+ food lovers, creative thinkers, and high performers worldwide. Together, we help provide meals to those in need through our global partnership with Rise Against Hunger. We also stand committed to responsible, sustainable practices that extend to every facet of our business, our consumers, and our communities. Every day, we’re transforming the food industry with bold thinking and unprecedented results. If you share our passion – and are ready to create the future, build a legacy, and lead as a global citizen – there’s only one thing to do join our table and let’s make life delicious!

Our Culture of Ownership, Meritocracy and Collaboration

We're not afraid to think differently. Embrace new ideas. Dream big. We empower our people at every level – from entry-level intern to senior leader – to own their work. We share a responsibility to think like Owners – to be mindful of the collective and sustained success of Kraft Heinz – which we apply to every situation, every day.

As part of Kraft Heinz, you're supported to grow and achieve. You’re expected to bring your authentic self to work every day, to lead with humility, and drive outstanding performance at every level – and you’ll be rewarded. You’re given opportunities to leave a mark and build a legacy. But you won’t do it alone. You’re supported by passionate teammates along the way, and our collective, collaborative spirit fuels our incredible progress.

We are proud to be a Great Place to Work certified company. Click to view our certificate: https://www.greatplacetowork.com.tr/sertifikasyon/sertifikali-sirketler/kraft-heinz-turkiye/

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Istanbul Branch

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.