Director, Nutrition & Regulatory Advocacy

Director, Nutrition & Regulatory Advocacy

This position is Atlanta-based, and in-office attendance 3+ times per week is expected

Job Description:

The Director, Nutrition and Regulatory Advocacy will ensure the company maximizes priority advocacy opportunities to support both existing and new products and ingredients. This role will help develop and lead advocacy on Company positions, primarily through our industry associations. This role requires continuous connection and collaboration with multiple internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the business has the license to operate, is not restricted, and has a pathway for continued growth. The role will include collaboration with subject matter experts across TCCC, particularly the Nutrition Science team, to develop proof points and other resources for advocacy efforts. Success will require the ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and industry colleagues, as well as with the academic community, key opinion leaders, and government stakeholders.

• Support Cross-Functional Collaboration for Global External Advocacy: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure a science-based perspective underpins our Company and/or industry comments on new/updated regulations, and help develop and socialize comments and other advocacy resources to Operating Units

• Scientific Trends and Horizon Scanning: Track and highlight for colleagues activities at key global standard setting bodies as well as scientific and regulatory headwinds and trends that can offer opportunities to unlock growth. Maintain current knowledge of emerging trends and developments in policies, regulations, and nutrition science.

• Strong Scientific Foundation: Analyze and promptly summarize scientific studies, particularly on nutrition- and policy-related topics.

• Straightforward Scientific Communications: Translate complex regulatory and scientific information into simple, easy-to-understand narratives.

• Nutrition Science: Advanced understanding of nutrition science including how dietary patterns influence health and well-being, biological mechanisms through which nutrients affect metabolism, dietary patterns, activity levels and related medical conditions particularly obesity and NCDs.

• Regulatory Affairs: Ability to interact with government officials to represent the Company or beverage industry while explaining complex scientific data, reports or issues. This includes the ability to anticipate issues or concerns of interest to public health officials, to respond to those concerns, and to advocate a position in a non-adversarial manner (e.g., during dispute resolution).

• Food Safety/Toxicology: Basic understanding of the nature, properties, effects, and detection of toxic substances in food, and their disease manifestation particularly chemicals of food interest such as food additives and how they are regulated.

• Master's degree in food science, nutrition or equivalent required. PhD strongly preferred.

• 5+ years of work experience in the beverage or food industry in scientific and regulatory affairs.

• Knowledge of international food standard setting organizations and processes essential; direct experience with participation at one or more committees of the Codex Alimentarius Commission a plus. This role will include monitoring and likely attendance at 1-2 Codex meetings each year.

• Understanding of key policy trends in the global public health landscape affecting the food and beverage industry

• General understanding of the technological need for food additives as well as contaminants potentially found in foods.

• Demonstrated ability to lead or influence cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills are a necessity. Must be able to translate technical language for audiences with a range of technical understanding.