Senior Manager, Regulatory and Technical Affairs

The Senior Manager/Director, Regulatory and Technical Affairs at Kellen plays a pivotal role in supporting clients within the food industry by advancing scientific, technical, and regulatory initiatives. This position is responsible for leading strategic projects, driving consensus among stakeholders, and providing expert guidance on key industry issues.

As a trusted advisor, the Senior Manager/Director collaborates with client committees and working groups, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. The role involves monitoring, analyzing, and interpreting scientific, nutritional, and regulatory developments relevant to food products, distilling complex information into actionable insights, and engaging with regulators and third parties to advocate for industry positions.

With a strong understanding of state and federal regulations and the regulatory process, this professional will influence policy, address challenges, and recommend strategies that support client success. The Senior Manager/Director also fosters collaboration across teams, manages diverse projects, and demonstrates thought leadership by contributing to the advancement of client goals and the broader food industry.

This is a high-impact position that combines industry expertise with strategic vision, making a meaningful difference for Kellen's clients and their stakeholders.

Essential Functions

Lead regulatory and science-focused committees and working groups for multiple association clients, including developing strategic action plans, addressing specific industry issues, and collaborating with internal teams and client members to achieve objectives.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Schedule and lead regular client meetings/calls, including preparing agendas and meeting materials, drafting minutes, and conducting follow up with consistent processes. Collaborate with clients in planning multi-day technical meeting, assisting in the development of the agenda, recruiting speakers, and coordinating overall meeting execution.
• Research and respond to inquiries from member companies and others regarding scientific, technical, and regulatory issues.
• Review materials of potential interest (e.g., scientific journals, reports, articles, federal/state legislation, and government agency/media reports) and summarize, when necessary, for distribution to clients, making recommendations for action, as appropriate.
• Monitor and develop responses to relevant scientific, nutrition, and regulatory policy proposals, and recommend actions, as needed, engaging with appropriate client groups on final industry positions.
• Attend public policy hearings, briefings, other government meetings, and other events to represent association clients and develop/circulate reports, highlighting industry impact.
• Communicate frequently with client and internal teams to ensure strategic objectives are met within established deadlines.
• Working with appropriate association committees, develop educational content and select speakers for an annual meeting and attend such meeting.
• Represent clients in scientific/technical/regulatory/coalition meetings, provide oral and/or written comments, and provide summaries to clients with calls to action, if needed.
• Stay abreast of industry issues and alert the client along with recommended solutions.
• Assist with crisis management. Develop and maintain relationships with clients, regulatory officials, and other stakeholders.
• Liaise with Executive Committees and Board of Directors, as needed.
• Be conversant in industry trends and be the “voice of the industry”, as needed.
• Create and maintain partnerships/relationships with related industry organizations to increase awareness and grow client membership.
• Implement client directives.

Other duties that align with the mission and vision of the company as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s or higher degree in a discipline related to science (e.g., nutrition, food science, public health) or related field and 3-5 years’ experience is desired.
• Food industry experience and an understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory processes a plus.
• A self-starter with the ability to direct committees and projects.
• Sound understanding of the U.S. and international food regulatory environments.
• Excellent communicator (written and verbal) and project manager with the ability to problem solve.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with consistent attention to detail and deadlines.
• Proven consensus building and leadership skills.
• Positive team player, including working with a broad range and levels of personnel and clients.
• High energy, versatile, and multi-task oriented with flexibility to prioritize diverse workload under competing time requirements and changing deadlines.
• Computer experience to include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, with “Can Do” approach to diverse software packages.
• Willingness to travel.

Physical Demands

This position operates within an office environment. The physical demands outlined below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully fulfill the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Hybrid Work Environment: All employees located within commuting distance of one of Kellen’s offices are required to go in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Flexibility in going into the office additional days may be necessary.
• Extended Work Hours: The nature of this role may require more than 40 hours per week to fulfill job responsibilities. Additionally, flexibility in working nights and weekends may be necessary. Longer hours, travel, and weekend commitments are typically associated with conferences or special events.
• Office Equipment Usage: The role routinely involves the use of standard office equipment, including but not limited to computers, telephones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or physical demands required. Employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel Requirements

Occasional travel may be necessary for this position, up to 10% of the time. Modes of transportation may include air travel, car, or rail.

Kellen EEO Statement

Kellen does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, benefits, social and recreational programs, and discipline. In addition, it is the policy of Kellen to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances where a particular employee works.