Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs

Grow with Welch's!

Welch's is on a journey towards our bold ambition of being the global-leader of convenient, good for you fruit-based food and beverages. To turn this goal into a reality we need you and other exceptionally talented, agile, and innovative individuals who are eager to contribute to something extraordinary!

At Welch's, we're not just offering a job; we're inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, authentic, and inclusive culture where you not only belong, but also have the opportunity to unleash the best, most authentic version of you.

We are seeking a Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs to serve as a strategic regulatory partner across our product portfolio. This role will drive proactive regulatory strategy, mitigate compliance risk, and enable compliant growth across innovation, renovation, and commercialization initiatives.

This is a high-impact role requiring strong judgment, business acumen, and the ability to influence cross-functional decision-making in a dynamic CPG environment.

POSTION SUMMARY:

The Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs is responsible for leading regulatory strategy and compliance oversight for Welch's food and beverage portfolio. This individual ensures that ingredients, formulations, labeling, claims, and marketing communications comply with applicable U.S. regulations while enabling business objectives.

The role requires proactive identification of regulatory risks and opportunities, development of scalable compliance processes, and strong partnership with R&D, Marketing, Legal, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams. The Senior Manager serves as a trusted advisor on complex regulatory matters and ensures regulatory considerations are embedded early in innovation and commercialization processes.

Where You'll Work

This role will be based out of our Waltham, MA headquarters, the hub of our family-farmer owned manufacturing company. Immerse yourself in a dynamic workplace where innovation thrives, and collaboration is key.

Our company in-office schedule is designed to maximize collaboration & relationship building balanced with flexibility and well-being with 3 days in office and Thursdays/Friday being remote, flex days.

What You'll Do:

Regulatory Strategy & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain a forward-looking regulatory roadmap aligned with innovation and portfolio strategy.
• Conduct regulatory risk assessments for new product platforms, reformulations, claims strategies, and commercialization initiatives.
• Lead scientific and regulatory evaluation of health-related claims, ensuring substantiation is evidence-based, defensible, and aligned with FDA and FTC expectations.
• Proactively monitor emerging regulatory trends, enforcement activity, and policy changes; assess impact and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Provide clear, risk-based recommendations to senior cross-functional leaders on complex or ambiguous regulatory issues.

Compliance Oversight & Governance

• Provide regulatory leadership across product lifecycle management, ensuring compliance from concept through commercialization and post-launch.
• Oversee regulatory review and approval of labels, claims, ingredient statements, and marketing materials.
• Ensure claim substantiation documentation is robust, defensible, and audit-ready.
• Maintain and continuously improve regulatory documentation systems and governance processes.
• Lead regulatory-driven portfolio updates in response to new or revised regulations.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Serve as primary regulatory advisor to R&D and Marketing during product development and claim strategy discussions.
• Influence decision-making to appropriately balance regulatory risk with speed-to-market and business opportunity.
• Deliver regulatory training and guidance to cross-functional partners to strengthen enterprise compliance capability.
• Partner closely with Legal and Quality to manage regulatory inquiries, audits, or escalations as needed.

External Engagement

• Represent Welch's in relevant trade associations or industry working groups.
• Monitor industry precedent and enforcement trends to inform internal regulatory positioning.
• Support customer and external inquiries related to regulatory compliance and product safety documentation.

What You Bring:

• Deep expertise in U.S. food and beverage regulatory requirements, including FDA labeling regulations, ingredient compliance, and claim substantiation.
• Strong regulatory judgment and ability to navigate ambiguity with sound, risk-based decision-making.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional partners without direct authority.
• Ability to translate complex regulatory language into clear, actionable business guidance.
• Strong organizational and systems mindset with experience managing regulatory documentation and processes (PLM experience preferred).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

What You'll Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Nutrition, Regulatory Affairs, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years of regulatory affairs experience in the U.S. food and beverage industry.
• Strong foundation in nutrition science with demonstrated experience substantiating structure/function, nutrient content, and other health-related claims using credible scientific evidence and sound regulatory judgment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting innovation, renovation, and commercialization initiatives in a CPG environment.
• Experience advising senior cross-functional leaders on regulatory risk and compliance matters.
• Strong working knowledge of FDA regulations and advertising/marketing compliance considerations.
• Experience with certification programs (e.g., Non-GMO Project) preferred.
• Professional-level proficiency in English.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; PLM system experience preferred.

At Welch's we value diversity, a passion for what you do, and a commitment to continuous learning. Even if you do not feel you meet every requirement listed, but this role aligns with your strengths and goals we encourage you to apply. Join us and contribute to something extraordinary.

What You'll Enjoy:

• Organization with a bold, clear purpose & vision for the future
• Inclusive Culture: Be a part of an inclusive workplace where you not only belong but also have the opportunity to be the best version of yourself
• Passionate Community: You are encouraged to have a voice, share your opinions, and have individual impact on the success of the business
• Hybrid work model: Flexible & collaborative work environment to maximize well-being & success
• Paid Time Off and Holidays: Enjoy time away from the office to rest and recharge
• Paid Volunteer Time Off: 40 hours of paid volunteer time for all non-union employees
• Development & Advancement: Formal and informal opportunities to develop and grow your career
• Compensation Package Consisting of Competitive Base Salary and Annual Incentive Plan (Bonus)
• 401K plan with Generous Company Match
• Flexible Benefits from your first day: Choose the benefits that meet your needs and preferences
  • Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Health Savings Accounts
  • Life and accident insurance
  • Employee Assistance Programs
  • Tuition reimbursement program
  • Additional benefits available through Perks at Work
• Paid parental (and adoption) leave - Available after 12 months of employment

The anticipated hiring base salary range for this position is $160,000 - $170,000 annually for US-based employees. This range reflects the minimum and maximum for the position across all US locations, is based on a full-time work schedule, and is Welch's good faith estimate as of the date of this posting. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for participation in a bonus plan.

Welch's is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to the prevention of employment discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and/or military or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other action covered by federal or applicable state/local laws.

Welch's offers more than just a job - it's an opportunity to grow, innovate, and make a global impact with a passionate community.

Grow with Welch's!

Welch's is on a journey towards our bold ambition of being the global-leader of convenient, good for you fruit-based food and beverages. To turn this goal into a reality we need you and other exceptionally talented, agile, and innovative individuals who are eager to contribute to something extraordinary!

At Welch's, we're not just offering a job; we're inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, authentic, and inclusive culture where you not only belong, but also have the opportunity to unleash the best, most authentic version of you.

We are seeking a Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs to serve as a strategic regulatory partner across our product portfolio. This role will drive proactive regulatory strategy, mitigate compliance risk, and enable compliant growth across innovation, renovation, and commercialization initiatives.

This is a high-impact role requiring strong judgment, business acumen, and the ability to influence cross-functional decision-making in a dynamic CPG environment.

POSTION SUMMARY:

The Senior Manager, Regulatory Affairs is responsible for leading regulatory strategy and compliance oversight for Welch's food and beverage portfolio. This individual ensures that ingredients, formulations, labeling, claims, and marketing communications comply with applicable U.S. regulations while enabling business objectives.

The role requires proactive identification of regulatory risks and opportunities, development of scalable compliance processes, and strong partnership with R&D, Marketing, Legal, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams. The Senior Manager serves as a trusted advisor on complex regulatory matters and ensures regulatory considerations are embedded early in innovation and commercialization processes.

Where You'll Work

This role will be based out of our Waltham, MA headquarters, the hub of our family-farmer owned manufacturing company. Immerse yourself in a dynamic workplace where innovation thrives, and collaboration is key.

Our company in-office schedule is designed to maximize collaboration & relationship building balanced with flexibility and well-being with 3 days in office and Thursdays/Friday being remote, flex days.

What You'll Do:

Regulatory Strategy & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain a forward-looking regulatory roadmap aligned with innovation and portfolio strategy.
• Conduct regulatory risk assessments for new product platforms, reformulations, claims strategies, and commercialization initiatives.
• Lead scientific and regulatory evaluation of health-related claims, ensuring substantiation is evidence-based, defensible, and aligned with FDA and FTC expectations.
• Proactively monitor emerging regulatory trends, enforcement activity, and policy changes; assess impact and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Provide clear, risk-based recommendations to senior cross-functional leaders on complex or ambiguous regulatory issues.

Compliance Oversight & Governance

• Provide regulatory leadership across product lifecycle management, ensuring compliance from concept through commercialization and post-launch.
• Oversee regulatory review and approval of labels, claims, ingredient statements, and marketing materials.
• Ensure claim substantiation documentation is robust, defensible, and audit-ready.
• Maintain and continuously improve regulatory documentation systems and governance processes.
• Lead regulatory-driven portfolio updates in response to new or revised regulations.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Serve as primary regulatory advisor to R&D and Marketing during product development and claim strategy discussions.
• Influence decision-making to appropriately balance regulatory risk with speed-to-market and business opportunity.
• Deliver regulatory training and guidance to cross-functional partners to strengthen enterprise compliance capability.
• Partner closely with Legal and Quality to manage regulatory inquiries, audits, or escalations as needed.

External Engagement

• Represent Welch's in relevant trade associations or industry working groups.
• Monitor industry precedent and enforcement trends to inform internal regulatory positioning.
• Support customer and external inquiries related to regulatory compliance and product safety documentation.

What You Bring:

• Deep expertise in U.S. food and beverage regulatory requirements, including FDA labeling regulations, ingredient compliance, and claim substantiation.
• Strong regulatory judgment and ability to navigate ambiguity with sound, risk-based decision-making.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional partners without direct authority.
• Ability to translate complex regulatory language into clear, actionable business guidance.
• Strong organizational and systems mindset with experience managing regulatory documentation and processes (PLM experience preferred).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

What You'll Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Chemistry, Nutrition, Regulatory Affairs, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years of regulatory affairs experience in the U.S. food and beverage industry.
• Strong foundation in nutrition science with demonstrated experience substantiating structure/function, nutrient content, and other health-related claims using credible scientific evidence and sound regulatory judgment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting innovation, renovation, and commercialization initiatives in a CPG environment.
• Experience advising senior cross-functional leaders on regulatory risk and compliance matters.
• Strong working knowledge of FDA regulations and advertising/marketing compliance considerations.
• Experience with certification programs (e.g., Non-GMO Project) preferred.
• Professional-level proficiency in English.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; PLM system experience preferred.

At Welch's we value diversity, a passion for what you do, and a commitment to continuous learning. Even if you do not feel you meet every requirement listed, but this role aligns with your strengths and goals we encourage you to apply. Join us and contribute to something extraordinary.

What You'll Enjoy:

• Organization with a bold, clear purpose & vision for the future
• Inclusive Culture: Be a part of an inclusive workplace where you not only belong but also have the opportunity to be the best version of yourself
• Passionate Community: You are encouraged to have a voice, share your opinions, and have individual impact on the success of the business
• Hybrid work model: Flexible & collaborative work environment to maximize well-being & success
• Paid Time Off and Holidays: Enjoy time away from the office to rest and recharge
• Paid Volunteer Time Off: 40 hours of paid volunteer time for all non-union employees
• Development & Advancement: Formal and informal opportunities to develop and grow your career
• Compensation Package Consisting of Competitive Base Salary and Annual Incentive Plan (Bonus)
• 401K plan with Generous Company Match
• Flexible Benefits from your first day: Choose the benefits that meet your needs and preferences
  • Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Health Savings Accounts
  • Life and accident insurance
  • Employee Assistance Programs
  • Tuition reimbursement program
  • Additional benefits available through Perks at Work
• Paid parental (and adoption) leave - Available after 12 months of employment

The anticipated hiring base salary range for this position is $160,000 - $170,000 annually for US-based employees. This range reflects the minimum and maximum for the position across all US locations, is based on a full-time work schedule, and is Welch's good faith estimate as of the date of this posting. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for participation in a bonus plan.

Welch's is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to the prevention of employment discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability and/or military or veteran status, sexual orientation or any other action covered by federal or applicable state/local laws.

Welch's offers more than just a job - it's an opportunity to grow, innovate, and make a global impact with a passionate community.

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