Non-Food Products Advisor Trainee

Job Description

Primary Responsibilities:

The Advisor for Non-Food Compliance plays a pivotal role within the Advisory Team, ensuring the adherence to legislation, codes of practice, and industry guidelines. This position is responsible for providing guidance, conducting thorough reviews, and maintaining compliance standards in a dynamic regulatory landscape. The role encompasses various tasks, from pack copy validation to product specifications oversight, fostering client relationships, and actively contributing to regulatory insights.

Specific Responsibilities:

• At all times, complies with SGS Code of Integrity and Professional Conduct.
• Regulatory Compliance, Specification and Pack Copy Verification:
  • Prepare, check, question and approve pack copy/product specifications in accordance with the client’s requirements taking information from supplier specifications. Ensure that pack copy adheres to all current and pending EU and UK legislation, codes of practice, client’s requirement and industry guidelines.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration:
  • Establish and maintain effective communication with clients, suppliers, design agencies, print houses, and other internal or external stakeholders.
  • Foster collaborative relationships to achieve regulatory compliance and client satisfaction.
• Meeting Participation:
  • Attend both internal and external meetings as required, collaborating with business development/ account manager, clients, suppliers, enforcement agencies, and other relevant entities.
• Regulatory Advisory Services:
  • Provide advice and guidance to internal and external parties relating to legislation, codes of practice, and guidelines.
  • Keep well informed and up to date on all relevant legislation, codes of practice, industry guidelines, news and events and trends within the non-food and consumer products industry.
  • Undertake any other duties as may be required commensurate with the post.
• Promotion of Company Interests:
  • Uphold and promote the best interests of SGS in all professional interactions and activities.
• Continuous Improvement and Technical Competence:
  • Proactively maintain technical competence, fostering a culture of learning and knowledge sharing among colleagues.
  • Ensure the Advisory team are working with the most up to date legislation, codes of practice and industry guidelines.
• Technical Sign-Off Checklist Development:
  • Develop a comprehensive technical sign-off checklist as a standardized tool to confirm that all regulatory work meets current required standards/legislation and is free from errors.
  • Conduct thorough reviews and approvals of all regulatory work, mitigating risks associated with incorrect or incomplete submissions.
• Training and Onboarding:
  • Develop and maintain clear, comprehensive working instructions to support consistent processes and knowledge transfer.
  • Ensure that appropriate backup personnel are trained and prepared to cover responsibilities during absences, maintaining continuity and minimizing operational disruption.
  • Responsible for training and cross training within the advisory team, including onboarding junior advisors and technologists, to enhance the overall competence and efficiency of the team.
• Consistency and Collaboration:
  • Collaborate with colleagues and management to ensure consistency and excellence in regulatory and advisory affairs.
• Client Relations and Business Growth:
  • Contribute to the growth of the advisory business and maintain strong client relationships.
  • Share insights and recommendations to assess project feasibility and optimize system effectiveness.
• Ensures work area in GBS is kept clean and presentable at all times.
• Remains familiar with SGS quality assurance procedures.
• Complies to all SGS QHSE and HR policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Mandatory:

• Bachelor’s degree qualification in a relevant field.
• Technical background with an understanding of test methods technical reports.
• Appreciation of consumer protection legislation.

Preferred:

• Postgraduate qualification in regulatory affairs, quality management, or a related discipline.
• Additional professional certifications related to compliance or quality assurance.

Additional Information

Required Skills:

• Technical background preferably in consumer products.
• Highly organised and a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Excellent organisational, time management, and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to communicate at all levels internally and externally
• Calm and controlled under pressure, confident in decision-making, able to work independently.
• Strong IT skills
• Keen to learn and take a proactive approach to expand own knowledge
• Approachable and flexible, a team player and leader.

Desirable:

• Experience with advanced regulatory software or digital compliance tools.
• Experience in change management or business process improvement.
• Experience of working in a Regulatory affairs or product quality role
• Familiarity with consumer protection legislation
• Experience in training and mentoring technical teams.
• Experience working directly with large retailers or multinational brands.
• Hybrid work arrangement may differ depending on affiliate country, should be amenable to be onsite for 2 to 6 months.