As the Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs for Bel US, you will lead regulatory affairs for Bel’s cheese brands, overseeing complex projects and representing the company externally within the dairy industry. This senior-level role is responsible for integrating regulatory strategies and insights into the US business strategy, partnering with cross-functional leaders, and driving compliance, innovation, and operational excellence. You will serve as the primary regulatory expert in dairy industry regulations and processes, directly engage with senior leadership, and manage a regulatory affairs manager to ensure team growth and capability. Your strategic vision, advanced regulatory knowledge, and collaborative approach will position Bel US as a leader in regulatory excellence, efficiency, and simplification.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Regulatory Strategy & Compliance
  • Lead the development and execution of regulatory strategies for Bel’s cheese brands, ensuring compliance with FDA, USDA, and all relevant dairy industry regulations.
  • Monitor, interpret, and communicate complex regulatory developments, proactively assessing their impact on business objectives and driving strategic responses.
  • Define and oversee regulatory requirements for product testing, labeling, ingredient approval, and market entry, ensuring alignment with national and international dairy standards.
  • Lead the regulatory review and approval process for all products, labels, marketing materials, and digital content to ensure alignment with regulatory standards.
• Business Partnership, Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership Engagement
  • Partner with senior leadership and cross-functional teams (R&D, marketing, legal, quality, operations) to integrate regulatory challenges and opportunities into business strategy and decision-making.
  • Deliver clear, actionable guidance to executive stakeholders, supporting product innovation and process optimization.
  • Drive continuous improvement in internal policies, processes, and ways of working to enhance regulatory efficiency and effectiveness, working collaboratively as one team with other North American and global regulatory team members.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration and regulatory excellence across R&D, marketing, legal, and quality teams.
• External Representation & Regulatory Change Management
  • Represent Bel cheese business unit externally with industry peers, regulatory bodies, and professional organizations, building and maintaining strong industry relationships, keeping the business informed of emerging trends and best practices and advocating for favorable regulatory outcomes in the dairy industry.
  • Lead regulatory change projects from proposal through implementation, managing cross-functional teams and aligning with organizational objectives.
  • Demonstrate advanced understanding of intersecting regulatory frameworks, communicating implications and risks to senior leadership.
• Project Leadership, Team Management, Efficiency & Simplification
  • Oversee regulatory affairs for all Bel cheese brands, managing multiple concurrent projects and ensuring timely, compliant product launches.
  • Manage and mentor one direct report (Regulatory Affairs Manager), fostering professional development, capability growth, and high performance.
  • Identify and implement opportunities for efficiency and simplification within regulatory affairs, reducing complexity and driving operational gains.
  • Model attention to detail and strategic thinking, setting standards for regulatory excellence across the team.
  • Ensure ongoing team growth and capability, promoting a culture of learning agility and proactive problem-solving.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in food science or a related field, or demonstrated equivalent experience
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in a regulatory affairs role within the food industry and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the dairy industry
• Direct experience with responsibility for FDA and USDA compliance
• Proven ability to lead high complexity projects and regulatory change initiatives.
• Demonstrated engagement with senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Exceptional knowledge of dairy industry regulations, processes, and standards.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and project management skills.
• Strong communication abilities, with experience presenting to executive audiences.
• Collaborative leadership style, skilled at influencing and partnering across functions.
• Effective crisis management and sound decision-making under pressure.
• Keen attention to detail, proactive problem-solving, and high learning agility.
• Experience mentoring and developing regulatory affairs professionals.

Working Conditions

Work is performed largely in a hybrid environment based in Chicago, IL. Hours of work will generally be during regular business hours with at least 40 hours a week.  At times there will be some variation in work hours due to special projects, deadlines and other concerns. Up to 10% business travel may be required for industry engagement and regulatory meetings.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Total Rewards:

• Base Salary $145,000-$150,000
• 23% bonus opportunity
• 401k match, medical, dental, vision, PTO days & more