Job Description:
Royal Canin Regulatory Affairs maximizes opportunities minimizes risk by guiding business decisions, by the best in class in deploying innovations compliant by design, in ensuring market access continuity by product regulatory trade compliance, by advocating for science-based regulations and by protecting the reputation of Royal Canin and its customers.
North East Asia Regulatory Affairs Manager role is responsible for driving the regulatory strategy across the two North East Asia (NEA) markets;Korea (app 80%) and Taiwan (app 20%), by ensuring the ability to enable and defend theproduct compliance (i.e. ingredients, on- and off-pack claims, processes, and market access) against applicable Technical Regulations and Standards; ensure appropriate level of engagement of criticalexternal stakeholders of public domain that includesTrade Association, local and central authorities (Min of Agri, Veterinary authority) responsible for market regulations and build/executeregulatory advocacy strategy from short to long-term to secure the market; enabling to continue safely operating deploying new product; must always put the safety of pets and the health of the planet first.
The job holder works in close collaboration with Local, Regional, and Global Regulatory Affairs Teams, as well as Value Chain Operations, Demand, Legal, and Corporate Affairs stakeholders to unlock the innovation pipeline and enable compliant product deployment across the responsible markets:
Drive the Regulatory Affairs function for the two North East Asia markets in the following duties:
- Represent Royal Canin, develop regulatory advocacy strategy and stakeholder mapping network, build long-term relationship, and influence within thetrade associations and regulators for each market to drive execute regulatory advocacy agenda, as part of technical working group
- Provide technical/product/nutritional presentations to key internal and external stakeholders to disseminate information regarding Royal Canin products and pet nutrition toshape favorable regulatory landscape
- Managehorizon scan for the markets,capturing risk opportunity toinform business stakeholders andinfluence local regulators, executeRegulatory Change managements, and manage Regulatory challenges
- Ensure compliance provide regulatory expertise in the jurisdictional markets for the product-related regulation, including but not limited to: Ingredients, labelling, claims, product/site registration, packaging, cross border sanitary conditions– formarket continuity innovation
- Maximize opportunity minimize regulatory risk by guiding business decisions at cluster level based onstream-lined regulatory risk approach and provide appropriate governance structure
- Other regulatory tasks, enabling Royal Canin products to cross-borders and be commercialized in the markets, may be included in the scope of responsibility for this role, provided their complexity is in line with the job level of the role
This role report to the North East Asia RA Sr Team Manager and represent regulatory affairs (RA) in the relevant decision-making forums. As NEA RA Manager, this role plays a key role in the collaboration and coordination of regulatory activities with regional and global teams. The job requires a solid understanding of regulatory frameworks in the two markets, with a primary focus on Korea, as well as strong communication influencing skills to manage jurisdiction‑specific regulatory operations and to negotiate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at different levels.
The main scope of responsibilities includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Regulatory Advocacy Issue Management (Primary Accountability – Korea)
- Represent Royal Canin interests in trade association working groups and execute
regulatory advocacy agenda in Korea, shaping regulatory thinking and interpretation to support business strategy, innovation, and long‑term market sustainability, in close alignment with APAC and Global RA.
- Proactively monitor regulatory developments, policy discussions, and enforcement trends in Korea, identifying risks and advocacy opportunities at an early stage.
- Anticipate and proactively manage regulatory challenges (e.g., claims, labelling, ingredient objections) by leading issue resolution strategies, including risk assessment, mitigation planning, and internal alignment.
- Develop and coordinate regulatory positions, technical arguments, and advocacy materials (e.g., position papers, consultation responses) with internal experts and external partners.
- Support cross‑country regulatory alignment initiatives by identifying opportunities for harmonization or simplification, escalating Korea‑relevant topics to NEA, APAC, or Global RA as appropriate.
- Contribute to regulatory strategies for new ingredients, packaging, or products by collecting data and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.
- Establish and sustain trust‑based relationships with key market stakeholders, engage effectively through transparent and collaborative communication, and drive the co‑creation of pragmatic solutions aligned with regulatory, industry, and business objectives
Regulatory Innovation Portfolio Compliance
- Support the local RA Compliance Lead by providing regulatory intelligence, impact assessments, and strategic input related to new or evolving regulations to ensure compliance from RM to FP level of the market.
- Contribute to innovation and portfolio discussions by assessing regulatory feasibility and constraints for new ingredients, technologies, products, or packaging
- Provide advisory support on regulatory change management (e.g., reformulation, relabeling, claim adjustments), while execution and accountability remain with the local RA compliance team.
- Act as a liaison between local, regional, and global RA teams, ensuring regulatory insights from Korea are appropriately communicated and reflected in broader regulatory strategies.
Regulatory Approval for new raw material (Korea only)
- Preparation and coordination of regulatory dossiers for new raw material approvals in Korea, led by the APAC Regulatory Approval Manager.
- Track submission progress, authority questions, and approval timelines for Korea new raw material dossiers, escalating risks or delays in a timely manner through the APAC Regulatory Approval Manager’s governance.
- Support regulatory advocacy activities related to new raw material approval pathways, technical requirements, and review processes, including engagement with authorities and industry bodies where appropriate.
- Provide regulatory insight to support business decisions on ingredient selection, feasibility, and risk management for innovation and renovation projects targeting the Korea market.
Regulatory Trade Compliance Product Registration
- Monitor sanitary, import, and trade‑related regulatory developments (e.g. disease outbreaks, changes to health certification or import conditions) that may impact product import/export; proactively inform relevant stakeholders to support timely risk mitigation.
- Provide backup support for the preparation, submission, and maintenance of product registration dossiers in Korea, including for new products, changes, or variations, as well as associated requirements (e.g. provision of samples or supplementary documentation), in close coordination with the local RA compliance lead and Korea factory RA Trade manager.
- Support (ad hoc) the maintenance of valid and up‑to‑date licenses, permits, and approvals required for product importation and site approvals, by providing regulatory intelligence, documentation support, and cross‑functional coordination.
What are we looking for?
- M.S. or equivalent in a technical area, such as veterinary medicine, food science, food safety, chemistry, toxicology, nutrition, other biological sciences
- Minimum of five (5) years of experience in Regulatory Affairs, Public Policy, or Trade Association related field for multiple markets
- Solid understanding of pet nutrition/feed or adjacent industries (e.g. food, pharmaceutical, veterinary medicine, cosmetic etc.), with the ability to translate scientific and technical knowledge into regulatory advocacy positions
- Demonstrated leadership in regulatory advocacy or policy engagement, including effective communication with and influence on trade associations and authorities
- Strong working knowledge of nutrition‑related regulatory frameworks, with preference for experience in pet food/feed and/or veterinary pharmaceutical regulations
- Proven ability to develop, articulate, and defend regulatory positions, including engagement in consultations, working groups, or advocacy initiatives
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with fluency in both written and spoken Korean and English (mandatory), and the ability to tailor messages to technical, regulatory, and business audiences
- Strong scientific or veterinary background, enabling credible engagement with authorities, industry peers, and internal experts
- Experience working with external consultants, contractors, and industry experts to support regulatory or advocacy activities
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and related business tools
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively across diverse cultures, navigate ambiguity, and adapt to evolving regulatory and business environments
What will be your key competencies?
- Business Insight
- Optimizes work processes
- Manages ambiguity
- Ensures accountability
- Drives result
What will be your Key Functional Competencies Technical Skills?
- Proven ability to build, maintain, and leverage strong internal and external networks, including trade associations, industry bodies, and competent authorities, and to influence key stakeholders involved in the development and implementation of regulations, standards, policies, and strategies. (Preferred)
- Strong capability to interpret and apply technical regulations and standards related to pet food, animal feed, and supplements, effectively translating scientific and technical requirements into clear regulatory and business guidance for the jurisdictions under responsibility.(Preferred)
- Strong local stakeholder management capability, including building trust‑based relationships, engaging stakeholders through clear and collaborative communication, and contributing to the co‑creation of solutions that reflect shared regulatory, industry, and business interests.(Preferred)
- Solid understanding of governmental and regulatory systems, including the respective roles of executive and legislative bodies, with the ability to analyze proposed legislation, regulatory initiatives, and policy trends that may impact the business.
- Demonstrated strength in regulatory horizon scanning, risk identification, and the development of mitigation or advocacy strategies to address emerging regulatory challenges and opportunities.
