Manager - R&D Food Safety & Regulatory Affairs

Overview Main Purpose: Ensure effective execution of regulatory change management programs and due diligence for scientific-regulatory governance/compliance needs for assigned portfolios covering India BU countries/markets (India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Maldives). The role will ensure compliance meeting dynamic/evolving regulatory developments, covering products, ingredients, packaging materials, labeling, claims, licensing/product registration/certifications, and all other applicable regulatory requirements, for the diverse portfolios assigned. The role requirements include enhancing the capability by leveraging global best practices, including creating/aligning/integrating the science- and evidence-based representations to the regulatory agencies to shape the regulatory environment. Responsibilities Accountabilities: Deliver Scientific and Regulatory compliance/governance due diligence for initiatives driven by business, for innovations, renovations, stewardship, productivity, sustainability, digitization, and other projects for the areas of responsibility. Conduct Regulatory Impact Assessments for the evolving/new/modified regulations for the areas of responsibility – including jurisdictions and brand/product categories. Monitor external regulatory/legislative environment to identify the relevant developments impacting the business, conduct gap assessment, and build-align-and execute regulatory strategies/programs by working with internal and external stakeholders, focusing on minimizing risks and securing necessary approvals. Ensure scientific-regulatory documentation is fully in place following the legislation/regulatory and PepsiCo SRA programs for ingredients, formulations, products licensing/registration, labeling, claims, and exports/imports work by partnering with the cross-functional business and R&D teams. Support by providing science and evidence-based regulatory proposals for regulatory petitions and advocacy areas, to promote science/evidence-based proposals, aiming for contemporary regulatory frameworks and compliance programs, for the area of responsibility. Support regulatory horizon scanning of key developments and prepare/align/execute the issues management / mitigation plans within the allocated budget/resources and timelines. Support Digitalization initiatives like specification management systems, change management procedures, and SOPs for the area of responsibility covering the India Region Assist the internal customers with scientific-regulatory guidance/support on the external queries. Qualifications Skills and Experience Required: Bachelor or Master (Preferred) in food science/technology/ life science / chemistry / biochemistry/toxicology/microbiology or related disciplines Required: Working knowledge of regulations interpretations, SOPs, and regulatory compliance; Preferred: 8+ years of working including at least 5 years on Regulatory Affairs/Compliance; Desirable - working knowledge of Codex / Regulatory Auditing skills Attention-to-Detail and ability to translate regulations into actionable opportunities, building and implementing the SOPs for regulatory compliance/governance. Able to engage with internal and external stakeholders for regulatory priorities and advocacy work areas Strong Communication skills – verbal, nonverbal, writing, and presentation skills in English. Ability to work in a matrix organization, collaborate with stakeholders, and manage multiple projects. Reporting: Direct – with – the Director Scientific & Regulatory Affairs for South Asia Travel: In a normal scenario 20% (including external meetings) Location: HQ in Gurgaon