📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Regulatory Affairs Strategic Brand Partner - Team Lead
🔹 Company: Nestlé Operational Services Worldwide SA
🔹 Location: North York, ON, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Hybrid (18-month contract)
🔹 Category: Health Science & Regulatory Affairs
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-25
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Providing strategic and functional regulatory leadership across the Canadian Nestlé Health Science business
- Collaborating with various functions to maximize patient and consumer outcomes
- Driving regulatory activities and strategies to ensure product safety and compliance
- Leveraging expert knowledge in regulatory affairs to influence and negotiate with external stakeholders
- Managing and mentoring team members to deliver regulatory strategic assessments, recommendations, and actions
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, communication, and project management skills. The successful candidate will be able to navigate complex regulatory environments and influence stakeholders effectively.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead and oversee the regulatory function, ensuring consistent implementation of regulatory strategy in Canada
✅ Ensure the compliance of assigned brands and projects from formulation through post-launch activities
✅ Deliver regulatory strategic assessments, recommendations, and actions together with other functions
✅ Act as a Subject Matter Expert on assigned regulatory projects and topics relevant to the success of the company
✅ Ensure regulatory compliance of assigned brands and projects for formulations, raw materials, finished products, labeling, product communication, and market changes
✅ Support regulatory activities and strategy that drive the smooth integration of global investments and acquisitions into the Canadian business
✅ Address complex regulatory topics with diligence to shape the regulatory landscape in potentially divergent external environments
✅ Leverage competitive compliance opportunities to protect brands and competitive advantage
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong decision-making skills, as well as the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Advanced degree in Life Sciences or related area. A post-graduate diploma or certification in Regulatory Affairs is an asset.
Experience: Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in Regulatory Affairs within highly regulated food and health products.
Required Skills:
- Expert knowledge of regulatory affairs in both policy and technical practice covering multiple product categories
- Knowledge of and/or experience in the scientific, clinical, and regulatory context of product development, commercialization, and marketing of highly regulated food and health products in Canada
- Effective communication, strategic thinking, and project management skills
- Ability to negotiate with and influence internal and external parties
- Self-directed, solutions-focused, and able to make decisions independently
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in crisis management
- Recognized leadership skills
- Experience in building and implementing strategy in a particular area
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in regulatory affairs for highly regulated categories such as food for special dietary use, infant formula, natural health products, and/or drugs (OTC/Rx) will be highly competitive for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD 120,000 - 160,000 per year (based on experience and industry standards for regulatory affairs roles in Canada)
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance
- Retirement savings plan with company matching contributions
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible work arrangements and remote work options
- Employee discounts on Nestlé products
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Flexible work arrangements may be available.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for regulatory affairs roles in Canada. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Nestlé is a multinational food and beverage company, operating in the highly competitive and heavily regulated food and health products industry.
Company Size: Nestlé has over 273,000 employees worldwide, making it one of the largest food and beverage companies globally. This size offers opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.
Founded: Nestlé was founded in 1866 and has since grown to become a global leader in its industry, with a rich history and strong brand recognition.
Company Description:
- Nestlé is committed to unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come
- The company serves its customers with passion and a spirit of excellence, offering products and services for all stages of life, every moment of the day
- Nestlé's culture is based on values rooted in respect: respect for themselves, respect for others, respect for diversity, and respect for the future
Company Specialties:
- Coffee and beverages
- Dairy
- Confectionary
- Culinary and frozen food
- Ice Cream
- Infant nutrition
- Healthcare nutrition
- Out of home F&B solutions
- Petcare
Company Website: http://www.nestle.com
ASSUMPTION: Nestlé's extensive product portfolio and global presence provide a diverse range of opportunities for employees to grow and develop their careers within the organization.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior management level, requiring a high degree of expertise and experience in regulatory affairs.
Reporting Structure: The Regulatory Affairs Lead reports directly to the Director of Regulatory Affairs and may have direct and indirect reports.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with a combination of on-site and remote work. The specific work arrangement may be discussed during the interview process.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential for career progression within the regulatory affairs function or other areas of the business
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects and collaborate with various functions
- Access to training and development programs to enhance skills and knowledge
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally within Nestlé's supportive and coaching-oriented environment.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Nestlé's North York, ON office is a modern, collaborative workspace with a mix of open-plan and private offices.
Office Location(s): 25 Sheppard Ave W, North York, ON M2N 6S8, Canada
Geographic Context:
- North York is a diverse and vibrant neighborhood in Toronto, offering a mix of urban and suburban living
- The area has a strong job market, with many multinational corporations and businesses
- North York is well-connected by public transportation, making it easy to commute to and from the office
Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangements.
ASSUMPTION: The North York office provides a dynamic and engaging work environment, with opportunities for collaboration and professional growth.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR department
- In-depth behavioral and technical interviews with the hiring manager and other stakeholders
- Final round interviews, potentially including a presentation or case study
- Background check and reference checks
Key Assessment Areas:
- Regulatory affairs expertise and experience
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Leadership and team management abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with Nestlé's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant regulatory affairs experience and skills
- Be prepared to discuss specific regulatory challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them
- Research Nestlé's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit with the organization
ATS Keywords: Regulatory Affairs, Strategic Leadership, Project Management, Analytical Skills, Negotiation, Communication, Compliance, Product Development, Commercialization, Marketing, Team Management, Scientific Knowledge, Technical Expertise, Stakeholder Engagement
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will be comprehensive and competitive, with a focus on assessing the candidate's regulatory affairs expertise and strategic thinking abilities.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Regulatory information management systems (e.g., TrackWise, Aris, Ennov)
- Project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Asana, Trello)
- Collaboration and communication platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be comfortable using a range of tools and technologies to manage projects and collaborate with team members effectively.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Respect: Respect for ourselves, respect for others, respect for diversity, and respect for the future
- Excellence: Striving for excellence in all aspects of the business
- Courage: Having the courage to act, to initiate change, and to take controlled risks
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a focus on collective success
- Agile and adaptable, able to respond to changing priorities and urgent situations
- Results-driven, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality work
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with Nestlé's values of respect, excellence, and courage?
- Are you comfortable working in a dynamic and changing environment, with shifting priorities and urgent situations?
- Do you thrive in a collaborative and team-oriented work environment, focused on collective success?
ASSUMPTION: Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong cultural fit with Nestlé's values and work style, as well as a passion for driving regulatory excellence within the organization.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The regulatory landscape for highly regulated food and health products can be complex and ever-changing, requiring strong adaptability and resilience
- This role may involve managing multiple projects and priorities, with tight deadlines and competing demands
- The successful candidate will need to be comfortable working in a fast-paced and sometimes high-pressure environment
- Regulatory affairs roles can require extensive travel, which may be a challenge for some candidates
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will be able to navigate these challenges effectively, leveraging their regulatory affairs expertise and strong project management skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other regulatory affairs roles, this position offers a unique blend of strategic leadership and hands-on project management responsibilities
- This role is specific to the highly regulated food and health products industry, with a focus on natural health products and supplemented foods
- Career progression in regulatory affairs may involve moving into more specialized or senior roles, such as Director or Vice President of Regulatory Affairs
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their long-term career goals and how this role aligns with their desired career path in regulatory affairs.
📝 Sample Projects
- Leading a cross-functional team to obtain regulatory approval for a new natural health product, including managing the submission process, addressing health authority requests, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements
- Developing and implementing a regulatory strategy for a line of supplemented foods, including navigating the complex regulatory landscape and negotiating with external stakeholders
- Managing a product recall due to a regulatory compliance issue, including coordinating with relevant authorities, addressing the root cause, and implementing corrective actions
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and challenges that the successful candidate may face in this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key regulatory priorities for the Canadian Nestlé Health Science business in the first 90 days?
- How does this role collaborate with other functions, such as product development, marketing, and sales?
- What is the team structure and dynamics for the regulatory affairs function?
- How does Nestlé support the growth and development of its employees, particularly in regulatory affairs roles?
- What is the expected work-life balance for this hybrid role, and how is it managed within the team?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, enabling them to make an informed decision about their fit for the position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant regulatory affairs experience and skills
- Prepare examples of your regulatory affairs expertise, including specific projects or challenges you've overcome
- Research Nestlé's company culture and values to demonstrate your fit with the organization
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
