IRCA is a leading international provider of semi-finished ingredients for the bakery, pastry and gelato markets, serving independent producers as well as large food manufacturers (e.g. CPG). Core products include chocolate, chocolate decorations, creams, pastry mixes, gelato ingredients, and other bakery / pastry ingredients.
The Company, established in 1919, and headquartered in Italy, was acquired by Advent International, the global Private Equity firm, in July 2022, and has a strong track record of growth over the last decade. Irca has made several acquisitions recently in the areas of candied fruits (Cesarin), pistachio ingredients (Anastasi) and Sweet ingredients in US and Europe, as well as expansion and growth of US facilities.
The business focuses on high value and specialty ingredients for the Food Manufacturers segment, with a portfolio that incorporates a range of products including sweet particulates, chocolate confections, baked inclusions, variegates and fruit purées. Irca has 22 production facilities in Europe, US and Vietnam, with over 2400 employees serving 100+ countries.
Position Summary:
The primary role of Senior Regulatory Specialist is to work in partnership with the Irca Regulatory team to support regulatory work which includes but not limited to queries from internal and external stakeholders. As a Sr Regulatory Specialist, you would be expected to build and support existing relationships with key customers, maintain clear and timely communication, and assist with a variety of regulatory tasks across technologies, involving both domestic and international food compliance.
This is a hybrid position and can be based at one of the following IRCA Group production facility locations: Duluth, GA; Elk Grove Village, IL; or Affton, MO.
Responsibilities
Responsible for supporting the execution and operation of various Regulatory processes and procedures in an efficient and timely manner.
Conducts administrative duties within defined guidelines.
Manage technical and customer documentation and data accurately and to tight time scales. Executes using conventional/ established processes and structures.
Create and maintain Technical and Food Safety documentation. Respond to internal & external stakeholders by providing technical guidance, determinations, and documentation.
Liaise with RD&A, QA, & Operations for technical documentation review/management control.
Develop effective working relationships with internal and external customers, contributing to overall department Key Performance Indicators.
Remain fully flexible to meet business requirements as assigned.
Education / Experience
Degree or local equivalence of same in Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Food Science or related discipline
Minimum of 7+ years experience of related experience in food industry in Regulatory, Food Safety, Quality Assurance or RD&A
Food regulatory & legislative knowledge, both domestic and international
Food Safety and HACCP knowledge is preferred
Knowledge of ingredient functionality is preferred
Experience with large retailers or consumer packaged goods manufacturers is preferred
Skills & Competencies
Work accurately and quickly in a fast-moving environment
Take initiative; translate direction into a clear plan and perform work accordingly and independently
Manage multiple projects/activities at once and adapt to changing timelines or priorities
Execute using established processes and structures as well as optimize procedures
Collaborate effectively across functions
Strong communication skills, with ability to interface with customers, auditors, and leadership
Strong commitment to service for business partners and customers
Highly organized, detail oriented
Analytical and solution driven
Resilient under pressure
Flexible and supportive team player
Able to interpret technical, regulatory, and scientific information
Capable of presenting information clearly to stakeholders at multiple levels
Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required; proficiency in product lifecycle management systems and tools is preferred (e.g., Intelex, Optiva, ERP systems).
Fluency in English is required. Fluency in one or more additional languages is preferred.
Skills Required
- Degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Food Science, or a related discipline
- At least 7 years of related experience in the food industry, including Regulatory, Food Safety, Quality Assurance, or R&D
- Domestic and international food regulatory and legislative knowledge
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Fluency in English
- Food Safety and HACCP knowledge
- Knowledge of ingredient functionality
- Experience with large retailers or consumer packaged goods manufacturers
- Proficiency in product lifecycle management systems and tools, such as Intelex, Optiva, or ERP systems
- Fluency in one or more additional languages
What We Do
Founded in 1919, IRCA Group is a global leader in the production of high-quality ingredient solutions for the pastry, bakery, chocolate, and gelato markets. Serving both artisans and industrial food manufacturers in over 100 countries, the company combines Italian heritage with innovation to provide a comprehensive portfolio of products, including creams, fruit preparations, and inclusions, helping professionals create extraordinary culinary experiences with simple, reliable, and scalable solutions.
