Key Regulatory Affairs business partner:

· Expert resource for Georgia & Caucasus business (Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia) in food regulations and its application for all products manufactured or sold in Georgia&Caucasus.

· Act as a key Regulatory contact for Product Developers, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, Legal, PPGA and SLT stuff;

· Drive on-going Regulatory Compliance for all product categories across Georgia & Caucasus markets;

· Horizon scanning and identifying hot spots across Caucasus countries;

· In External affairs - Act as a single contact point for food authorities/regulators on market access issues; develop positions and responses to regulatory bodies.

Compliance

· Ensure e2e regulatory compliance with all aspects of Georgian&Caucasus food legislation including those relating to manufacturing, composition, product, raw materials&ingredients, packaging, labelling, claims and market access. Accountabilities include:

o Monitor regulatory changes, ensure company is aware of potential impacts;

o Lead RCM process to implement new food regulations (lead RCM);

o Provide regulatory support during incidents/customer&consumers claims and act as liaison with authorities (together with local Legal and other functions if needed);

o Support plant audits from authorities in a relevant area (in Georgia);

o Ensure on-going RA support on verification of Raw Materials and Finished Goods (RM&FG) compliance (e.g. external protocols analyses vs specs & regulatory requirements for imported products);

o Develop external laboratory control plan in compliance with legislation and specification requirements (incl. import);

o Assessment of methods, suitable for appropriate testing.

Innovation & AOP & Productivity

· Provide comprehensive regulatory partnership and support to innovation, New Product Development (NPD) and other commercial initiatives, including:

o Develop and sustain the regulatory documentation to unlock manufacturing of company portfolio;

o Create labeling texts (briefs) and approve artwork designs&claims&stickers according the internal processes;

o Ensure implementation and adaptation of changes for respective markets in case of any changes in composition/labeling for imported products;

o Support material qualification process (specs review vs regulatory requirements and approval/signature) and FG recipes revision and approval from RA side;

· Ensure implementation of any changes in products/labels.

External Affairs

· Track and manage existing and emerging food regulatory issues:

o Keep the business aware of developments;

o Assess potential impacts and risks;

· Develop responses to regulatory and science-related external issues together with local Legal, CORA/PPGA, R&D, LS and FSQA&QC teams.

• Higher education: Bachelor degree (Master degree is desirable) in Food Technology, Nutrition or Life Sciences ideally with specialization in Metrology, Standardization and Certification, Public Affairs, Legal.
• Georgian as the native language, Intermediate English required, Russian is a benefit.
• At least 2-years experience working experience with similar accountabilities, preferably in an FMCG/Food Company.
• Detailed knowledge of local regulatory requirements and experience in interpreting and applying them.
• Direct accompanying of the plant’s audits and understanding of the mechanic of control and market surveillance – at least 2 years.
• Experience in networking with the key stakeholders (NFA and other state authorities).
• Strong ethics and integrity.
• Strong verbal and analytical skills, attention to details, ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure.
• Results oriented, proactive self-starter, able to work on their own initiative as well as being a team player.
• Good time-management and organization skills.
• Strong communication & good influencing skills. Ability to gain alignment cross-functionally and leverage resources to achieve results.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with the internal and the external interfaces (partners, authority, suppliers).