Regulatory Affairs Manager Innovation, Lebbeke

About The Job The Regulatory Affairs Manager– Innovation is a global role responsible for leading regulatory strategy, compliance, and risk mitigation for new products and packaging innovations across Barry Callebaut. The role ensures that all innovation activities meet international regulatory requirements and supports the successful introduction of new developments to market. Key responsibilities include coordinating global regulatory submissions, monitoring regulatory developments, identifying risks and opportunities, and ensuring robust compliance processes are embedded across innovation and packaging projects. This role also represents Barry Callebaut externally in global innovation dossiers. The position reports to the Director Regulatory Affairs, EU/Africa and Global innovation and collaborates closely with the global and regional Regulatory teams, as well as cross‑functional partners across Digital, Quality, CI&TS, Production, Packaging, and Innovation.

Key Responsibilities Include

Drive Opportunities for Innovative Developments

Coordinate global applications for ingredients, products, claims, and packaging authorisations (EU, US, Asia).

Identify regulatory opportunities within innovation projects to enhance speed‑to‑market and competitive advantage.

Provide expert scientific and regulatory advice to build favourable regulatory environments for new products and packaging.

Ensure organisational readiness to navigate new regulatory pathways for future innovations.

Drive Compliance with Regulatory Requirements

Ensure Regulatory Affairs integration in all innovation and packaging projects.

Manage regulatory requirements for new developments to deliver compliant and value‑adding outcomes.

Support creation and approval of documentation and communication related to product and health claim authorisations globally.

Collaborate with Packaging Regulatory to ensure packaging and packaging innovations meet all regulatory obligations.

Risk Identification and Mitigation

Raise awareness of regulatory risks and opportunities with senior management.

Identify potential risks linked to new developments and recommend proactive mitigation actions.

Conduct risk assessments and simulations across regions and manufacturing sites.

Monitor and interpret regulatory changes affecting new packaging, ingredients and products.

Stakeholder Communication

Develop and execute communication strategies for internal regulatory stakeholders.

Provide clear, concise, and actionable regulatory updates to project teams.

Act as regulatory liaison for innovation topics across global functions.

Compliance&Regulatory Oversight

Work closely with the global and regional Regulatory teams to ensure compliance with industry laws and standards.

Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of global, regional and local regulatory changes related to product innovations.

Support regulatory submissions and documentation as required.

About You

Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Biology or a related field.

Fluency in English (other languages an asset).

Excellent communication, stakeholder management and coordination skills.

Strong ability to mobilise cross‑functional teams towards shared objectives.

Ability to drive change collaboratively on a global scale.

Independent, self‑driven and capable of managing multiple priorities.

Experience in the CPG industry is a plus.

Minimum of 10 years’ experience in food and/or pharmaceutical industry.

Strong project management and risk management capabilities.

Strong knowledge of regulatory requirements for ingredients, products, packaging and claims across multiple markets, ideally EU, US and Asia.

High level of confidentiality with the ability to proactively manage ingredient and product compliance risks.

Experience operating within global, cross‑functional environments.

Knowledge of quality assurance and sustainability topics.

Proactive, detail‑oriented and highly analytical.

Strong leadership and decision‑making skills under pressure.

Excellent written and verbal communication for diverse audiences.

Ability to think strategically while effectively managing operational details.

Strong organisational and problem‑solving skills.

Experience working across multiple regions and cultures.

Adaptability, resilience and strong stakeholder management.

At Barry Callebaut, we are committed to Diversity&Inclusion. United by our strong values, we thrive on the diversity of who we are, where we come from, what we’ve experienced and how we think. We are committed to nurturing an inclusive environment where people can truly be themselves, grow to their full potential and feel they belong. #oneBC – Diverse People, Sustainable Growth.

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