Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Regulatory Affairs Manager for the IFF Taste BU to lead and manage regulatory compliance activities across the African continent. Based in South Africa this role will ensure that our products meet applicable regulatory, market, and customer requirements throughout the region. The role combines leadership, technical expertise, and cross-functional collaboration to support both local and regional business objectives.As Regulatory Manager for Africa you will be part of the EAME Regulatory Affairs team supporting the Taste BU in Africa with a focus on flavourings , seasonings and beverage compounds.
Location: South Africa, Johannesburg
Tasks & Responsibilities:
- Ensure compliance of IFF TASTE products with applicable national and/or regional food legislation and customer-specific requirements across Africa.
- Monitor and interpret regulatory trends across Africa, ensuring proactive adaptation and communication.
- Act as the primary regulatory contact for customers, authorities, and industry associations.
- Participate in industry associations, collaborate within a cross functional African team to stay informed and timely anticipate upon further regulatory updates, changes etc
- Align regional regulatory activities with global business goals and customer expectations
- Provide expert guidance to internal teams (creative, application, commercial) on ingredient safety and regulatory compliance.
- Streamline processes for handling technical product information and documentation requests.
- Understand and articulate the Global Regulatory Affairs (GRA) strategy and its relevance within the African regulatory landscape
- Utilize regulatory systems and tools (e.g., SAP, PLM, Innoverse) to manage documentation and compliance efficiently.
- Provide technical product information to customers, maintain and update regulatory communications, reports, and customer documentation.
Experience & Requirements:
- Master’s degree in food science, Chemistry, Biosciences, or related field with 10+ years of experience
- Extensive experience in the flavour or food industry, with deep knowledge of African food legislation and international standards.
- Experience in regulatory support for customer-facing roles.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and strategic thinking abilities.
- High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with SAP and regulatory platforms is a plus.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural, international environment.
- Customer-focused mindset with a drive for results
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more