Regulatory Affairs Manager

Role & accountabilities

Customer Strategy & Brand Protection

• Lead the high-level response strategy for Tier-1 global brand owners. This includes the authoring and validation of complex, customer-specific Declarations of Compliance (DoC) and technical position papers on sensitive regulatory topics.
• Act as the primary technical authority in meetings with major customers, presenting strategic compliance topics and risk assessments to ensure consumer safety and business continuity.
• Provide technical input in customer discussions, explaining regulatory requirements and supporting responses to compliance-related queries.
• Coordinate and support responses to key customer regulatory requirements, including the preparation and review of Declarations of Compliance (DoC) and technical documentation on complex topics.

Regional Supplier Governance & Audit

• Oversee the final regulatory approval of all materials (coatings, inks, compounds) used in Metal Packaging, managing the approval process to ensure documentation is reviewed and complete.
• Participate in the Supplier Quality Audit (SQA) program for regulatory compliance, performing on-site audits and coordinating 3rd-party testing to validate supplier data and mitigate raw material risks.
• Work with suppliers to ensure data transparency, specifically regarding "Trade Secret" formulations and complex substance migration.

Horizon Scanning & Industry Influence

• Represent Sonoco’s interests at the industry level through active leadership in Trade Associations (MPE, JIG).
• Monitor regulatory developments and support engagement with industry groups and trade associations, sharing relevant updates with the business.
• Provide Executive Summaries to senior stakeholders to highlight potential impacts, supporting Sonoco decision-making regarding any exposure and mitigation strategies.

Functional Leadership & Workflow Management

• Provide day-to-day technical guidance for the Food Contact Compliance Analyst, ensuring high-quality output and alignment with EMEA regulatory standards.
• Plan and prioritise the workload for the Food Contact Compliance Analyst function, managing resource allocation to ensure timely delivery of regulatory support to Sales and Operations.
• Provide technical mentorship, ensuring the team maintains up-to-date knowledge of evolving FCM legislation.
• Support the maintenance and effective use of the Regulatory Information Centre (SharePoint), ensuring the standardisation of responses to ensure the business has a "Single Source of Truth" for safety and sustainability data.

Essential:

• Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, or a related technical discipline.
• In-depth working knowledge of EU Food Contact Legislation (Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, etc.), global chemical standards (REACH/CLP), and EU Packaging Regulations (PPWR and Conflict Minerals).
• Proven experience in influencing industry bodies or trade associations (e.g., MPE, JIG) to protect business interests.
• Experience supporting data-driven decision-making on material safety that impacts production, sales, and brand reputation.
• Experience managing and prioritising technical workloads, mentoring team members, and providing technical guidance to the department to ensure it meets legal standards.
• Experience monitoring regulatory developments and highlighting potential impacts or risks to the business.
• Exceptional proficiency in English, with the ability to present complex regulatory strategies to internal stakeholders and customers in plain language.

Desirable

• Certified Lead Auditor status or significant experience in leading Supplier Quality Audit (SQA) programs for regulatory compliance.
• Experience in overseeing the governance of digital regulatory databases (SharePoint/SMD) or advising on compliance integration within ERP systems (e.g., SAP).
• Knowledge of emerging circular economy regulations (e.g., PPWR) and their impact on metal packaging substrates and recycled content claims.

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