Assistant Manager Regulatory & R&D

Position: Assistant Manager (R&D- Regulatory)

Location: Nemam (Chennai Factory)

Job Type: Permanent

Job Purpose:

• Ensure compliance with applicable FSSAI, Legal Metrology, food labelling, packaging, and other regulatory requirements, including timely monitoring and implementation of regulatory updates.
• Review and approve product artworks, statutory declarations, labels, packaging materials, and related regulatory content for new and renovated products.
• Conduct and support the analysis of raw materials, packaging materials, and finished products for bakery and confectionery products.
• Provide technical and analytical support to the VP / Head R&D / Assistant Manager – R&D for product development, product trials, and related R&D activities.
• Support cross-functional teams in ensuring regulatory compliance throughout the product development and commercialization lifecycle.

Qualification

• Bachelor’s / master’s degree in food technology, Food Science, Food Chemistry, Dairy Technology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, or a related discipline.
• Candidates with a Postgraduate qualification in Food Technology / Food Science / Regulatory Affairs will be preferred.
• Additional certification or training in FSSAI, Legal Metrology, Food Labelling Regulations, or Regulatory Affairs will be an added advantage.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Regulatory Compliance & Monitoring

• Prepare, review, and maintain regulatory submissions, dossiers, applications, declarations, and supporting documentation.
• Monitor and interpret applicable FSSAI regulations, Legal Metrology requirements, notifications, circulars, standards, and legislative updates.
• Assess the regulatory impact of changes relating to products, ingredients, manufacturing processes, specifications, labelling, packaging, and suppliers.
• Identify potential regulatory risks, recommend appropriate corrective actions, and escalate critical issues to management.
• Ensure compliance with applicable food safety, labelling, packaging, and statutory requirements throughout the product lifecycle.

2. Artwork & Label Compliance

• Review and approve product artworks, statutory declarations, labels, wrappers, sheetings, pouches, cartons, and other packaging materials received from Marketing and external vendors.
• Verify statutory and written content on packaging, including ingredient declarations, nutritional information, product declarations, claims, net quantity, manufacturer details, dates, and other mandatory requirements, as applicable.
• Prepare and validate statutory requirements for new and renovated artworks covering confectionery products, Pie, Pepero, and other product categories.
• Coordinate with Marketing, vendors, and relevant internal stakeholders to ensure timely closure of artwork and labelling requirements.

3. Product & Laboratory Analysis

• Conduct and/or coordinate analysis of raw materials, packaging materials, and finished products for bakery and confectionery products.
• Support product development through analytical evaluation, specification review, product trials, and testing.
• Review analytical results and highlight deviations, quality concerns, or regulatory risks to the relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain appropriate analytical records, specifications, test reports, and supporting documentation.

4. New Product Development & R&D Support

• Provide regulatory and analytical inputs during new product development, renovation, product trials, and commercialization.
• Provide continuous technical support to the VP / Head – R&D / Assistant Manager – R&D on product development and analytical activities.
• Ensure regulatory requirements are considered during formulation, ingredient selection, packaging development, labelling, and product launch.
• Support product lifecycle management by evaluating regulatory implications of changes to existing products.

5. Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate with Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), Manufacturing, Supply Chain/SCM, Marketing, Materials, and other relevant functions to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Provide regulatory support to the SCM team for alternate vendor development/sourcing, ensuring that proposed materials and suppliers meet applicable FSSAI and regulatory requirements.
• Respond to regulatory queries and coordinate with relevant functions for preparation of accurate and timely responses.
• Support internal teams in resolving regulatory, labelling, artwork, and product compliance-related issues.