About the company

Albertsons Companies is at the forefront of the revolution in retail. With a fixation on raising the bar with innovation and building belonging through our culture, our team is rallying our company around a unique purpose: to create joy around each table and inspire a healthier tomorrow for every community.

Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States, with over 2,200 stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Our well-known banners include Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets, and Balducci's Food Lovers Market. We support our stores with 22 distribution centers and 19 manufacturing plants.

Placing a premium on adaptability, safety and family well-being, our work model, Presence with a Purpose, offers a hybrid work environment between remote work and office time. A one-size-fits-all approach does not apply to everyone, and teams are empowered to make decisions best for them.

Bring your flavor

Building the future of food and well-being starts with you. Join our team and bring your best self to the table. #LI-MG1

What you will be doing

The Director, Regulatory Affairs & Compliance will play a pivotal role in ensuring Albertsons Own Brands (OB), and Instore products are complying with all relevant regulations tied to federal, state, and local government agencies. This role will set the strategic technical compliance agenda and is responsible for regulatory and compliance activities related to key external engagement agenda with government agencies including the FDA, USDA, EPA, FTC, and corresponding state and local jurisdictions. Key focus is regulatory affairs horizon scanning of upcoming regulations across all states and the federal government agencies through industry trade associations. Support to ensure faultless compliance of product labeling across the Albertsons Own Brands packaging and digital Compliance, and in-Store created categories (Bakery, Deli, Meat & Seafood, Produce, and other applicable product portfolios). Interact regularly with many other functions including, but not limited to, OB Technical Services organization (Product Development, Nutrition Science, Food Safety and Quality Assurance), OB Category Management, packaging & Design, Sourcing, Merchandising Data Services, Data Governance, Sales, Government Affairs and Legal. Oversee technical services operational activities including SOPs creation, metrics reporting and process optimization. This position is critical to ensure regulatory compliance and avoidance of product retrievals and recalls that can result from noncompliance with product and package regulations, on-pack, and online.

The position will be based in Pleasanton, CA.

Main responsibilities

• Ensure all Own Brand consumer brands packaging, ACI In-Store products (BacompliesDeli, Meat & Seafood, Produce, and other applicable categories), Digital Compliance/ Ecommerce comply with federal, state, and local regulations. This involves daily interactions with marketing, graphic design, sourcing, and outside design agencies to ensure that all existing, new, and revised packaging graphics and placements comply with labeling regulations.
• Ensure all new and revised product formulations comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This involves daily interaction with Albertsons internal product development team as well as the regulatory contacts and developers at contract manufacturers.
• Establishment of industry network of subject matter experts, and to be used when issues could have significant impact on planned business actions, or regulations are so new that examples of agency enforcement are not known. This includes review and approval of product formulations and specifications.
• Provide Regulatory & Compliance services to the Albertsons manufacturing plants, Divisions and other applicable Business Units requiring regulatory expertise.
• Function as the chief internal subject matter expert on nutritional labeling regulations and requirements, on package or point of sale direct or indirect health and nutrition claims. This requires not only extensive knowledge of both USDA and FDA regulations but up to date knowledge of enforcement activities, consumer advocacy group activities, industry and university research and recommendations from public and private health experts.
• Track and anticipate changes in regulations and provide an update to Own consumer brands management and the Albertsons enterprise on the potential implications. This requires following all venues through which regulatory agencies provide information and seek input from industry including internet, federal register, press releases, letters and enforcement actions taken against other companies and product lines.
• Direct, mentor and lead a team of regulatory and compliance professionals on technical services deliverables including label reviews, digital labeling, organic certification, product registration, and other technical systems activities.
• Function as the regulatory commercialization processes lead and ensure timely execution of related tasks including in-store created retail, co-packer, and self-manufactured product label reviews, claims substantiation, maintenance of checklists, style guides, and SOP’s.
• Provide technical expertise on nutrition labeling defining new claim territories, copy reviews, and managing packaging timelines for on-pack and online digital labeling.
• Create and maintain training documents, checklists, SOP’s, and metrics to support digital compliance, product registrations, label requirements, and Technical Services department operations including Regulatory Affairs and Product Development, as needed.
• Oversee compliance systems requirements and testing along with continuous improvement initiatives for the Regulatory Compliance team to ensure sustainable and efficient operations.
• Support in-store recall or withdrawal events on regulatory, labeling, and systems expertise working with cross-functional partners in a timely manner and potential after hours based on crisis management needs.
• Facilitate content management for technical systems including, but not limited to, Specright, SpecSafe, Optiva, 1 World Sync, SmartLabel, etc. ensuring accurate information and processes are maintained.

The salary range is $150,000.00 to $211,000.00 annually. Starting salary will vary based on criteria such as location, experience, and qualifications. There may be flexibility for exceptional candidates.

A copy of the full job description can be made available to you.

What we are searching for

• Minimum of BS in Food Science, Engineering, Chemistry, or related technologies degree is required, and advanced degree in food science, food engineering, or business administration is preferred.
• 12+ years of technical services experience with significant years in regulatory affairs and compliance operations function, and/or extensive combined experience across R&D disciplines in CPG, Food & Beverage, or Grocery Retail company delivering compliance on new product formulations, existing portfolio of base business and working in food manufacturing plant environment.
• Experience with USDA and FDA food regulations and documentation requirements is required, and understanding the latest sustainability trends and their impact on the regulatory environment is helpful.
• An in-depth understanding of and extensive experience with the federal, state and local regulations that are applicable to food products, and how the regulatory agencies work and in building relationships to influence the regulatory environment.
• Experience working in alliance with regulatory agencies on the city, county, state and federal level that requires not only extensive knowledge of both USDA and FDA regulations but up to date knowledge of enforcement activities, consumer advocacy group activities, industry and university work focus based on shifting business and technical priorities.
• Develop a strategic approach to converting research into tactical outcomes for the company to implement within the Albertsons technical regulatory environment.
• Knowledge across a wide range of products including manufacturing and technical systems.

We believe the successful candidate has these qualifications and experience:

• Management/Leadership:
  • At least 5+ years of prior management experience overseeing a team of managers and associates and demonstrated abilities in leading teams, including hiring, developing, and retaining talent.
  • Exceptional leadership and motivational skills; Experience in building, training and leading organizations composed of a range of both technical and non-technical personnel.
  • Develop regulatory personnel by establishing personal and project objectives, providing constructive feedback and appropriate development and training opportunities.
  • Establish and maintain a constructive work environment leading to retention of key personnel and a recruitment of desired personnel when necessary.
  • Ensure the needs of key personnel are addressed to maintain a focused and dedicated workforce with minimal turnover.
  • Exceptional leadership and motivational skills, and experience in building, training and leading organizations composed of a range of both technical and non-technical personnel.
• Business Acumen:
  • Strong strategic & critical thinking skills; Results oriented with strong problem solving, negotiating and decision-making skills, & have extensive experience in project management, meeting tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
  • Ability to communicate effectively across a range of interactions (verbal, written, formal and informal) from entry level personnel to the company’s senior executive team including all levels of outside contacts, industry counterparts, suppliers, and shoppers.
  • Ability to translate business objectives into technical objectives, establish team and individual objectives, measuring results and providing constructive feedback to continue to develop capabilities and skills for individuals and the organization.
  • The incumbent must be able to think both strategically and tactically and have extensive experience in project management, multi-tasking, meeting tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
  • Effective presentation skills and an executive presence are required in presenting to all audiences but especially to executives.

What is it like at Albertsons?

Our 290,000 associates have a passion for great service and building lasting relationships with our customers. Through a companywide focus on innovation, we are continually enhancing our digital and product offerings, making it easy for customers to get what they need, wherever they are.