Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist MENA

Position Title: Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist MENA
Position Type: Regular - Full-Time
Grade: Grade 05
Requisition ID: 42862
In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.
About the role.
The Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist (Middle East) plays a critical role in ensuring regulatory compliance for product composition, labelling, and marketing claims across the region. This position supports the commercialization of imported products by embedding Middle East regulatory requirements into specifications, processes, and finished goods. Acting as a subject matter expert, the role partners closely with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to maintain compliance, mitigate risks, and anticipate regulatory changes while supporting both day-to-day operations and long-term business strategies.
What you'll be doing.

• Be the trusted expert on food regulations in the Middle East, translating complex legislation into clear guidance for the business
• Take ownership of product compliance, ensuring formulas, ingredients, labelling, and claims meet all regulatory requirements
• Support the successful launch and adaptation of products across the region, particularly in an import-driven supply model
• Partner with teams like R&D, Marketing, and Procurement to enable compliant innovation and product improvements
• Proactively assess regulatory risks and help teams take the right decisions early on
• Keep a close eye on regulatory developments, anticipating changes and guiding the business through their impact
• Play an active role in shaping regulatory strategies and contributing to industry discussions where relevant
• Collaborate with global teams to align on standards, share best practices, and support new technologies or ingredients
• Provide support during sensitive situations, including crisis management and responses to regulatory or customer requests
• Build strong relationships with external stakeholders, including authorities and trade associations, to support the business and stay connected to industry developments

What you'll need to be successful.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical discipline (e.g., Food Science, Regulatory Affairs, or similar)
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in Regulatory Affairs within a global food manufacturing organization or government
• Strong expertise in Middle East food regulations, including product composition, labelling, and claims requirements
• Proven ability to conduct regulatory risk assessments and manage complex compliance challenges
• Demonstrated experience working with regulatory authorities and navigating approval processes
• Solid knowledge of food safety standards, including microbiological specifications and contaminants
• Experience supporting product claims substantiation and labelling accuracy
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and senior leaders
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex regulatory topics clearly and persuasively
• Self-driven, hands-on professional with strong analytical thinking and a results-oriented mindset

Benefits of the role.

• Competitive salary package aligned with experience and market benchmarks.
• Opportunity to be a part of a global iconic brand, fun and high performing team
• A varied and responsible job in an effective and international team with flat hierarchies
• Local benefit (Health and Pension insurance)
• Work in an environment you actively help to shape and create.

Our purpose is grounded in building meaningful relationships. We're big believers in the power of working together in person-it helps us stay connected, collaborate more effectively, and grow as a team. At the same time, we recognize the importance of flexibility. Most office-based roles follow a hybrid model, with the option to work remotely two days a week. There may be exceptions depending on the role and location, so we encourage you to speak with your recruiter for more details.
About McCain.
Click Here to learn more about McCain and how we provide you with opportunities to make an impact that matters.
Leadership principles.
At McCain, our leadership principles guide how we engage with customers, collaborate as a team, and achieve success. We focus on understanding customer needs, driving innovation, empowering people, and taking ownership to clear obstacles and deliver results.
The McCain experience.
We are McCain. This statement is a testament to our collective strength and our individual value. Your contributions play a vital role in our success. Our winning culture is rooted in authenticity and trust, empowering us to bring out the best in one another. Here, you'll find opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Join us and experience why we're better together.
McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions.
Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain's Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy , as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here .
Job Family: Research & Development
Division: Global Research and Development
Department: Regulatory Affairs
Location(s): AE - United Arab Emirates : Dubai : Jebel Ali
Company: McCain Middle East FZE