Regulatory Affairs Scientist

Job Summary 

The Regulatory Affairs Scientist will review dietary supplement, cosmetic, and beverage labels and formulas for compliance, build and maintain ingredient specifications, and manage the third-party certifications, including organic, non-GMO, and Halal. The successful candidate will take ownership and become an expert in these responsibilities and run projects from start to finish. They must also have a proficient understanding of basic chemistry and math. 
 

Responsibilities and Duties 

Third-Party Certifications 

• Own and coordinate third-party certification programs including USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and Halal, and support additional programs such as Kosher, gluten-free, and vegan as the portfolio requires. 

• Prepare and submit certification applications, annual renewals, and product addition requests; assemble supporting documentation and respond to certifier questions and audit findings. 

• Track certification status across the product portfolio and flag expirations, gaps, and at-risk items before they affect production or retail listings. 
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Label and Formula Review 

• Review dietary supplement, cosmetic, and beverage labels for regulatory compliance and internal accuracy, including Supplement Facts and Nutrition Facts panels, ingredient declarations, allergen statements, net contents, and claim language. 

• Review formulations for compliance with applicable ingredient restrictions, permitted use levels, and certification requirements, working closely with R&D and Product Development. 

• Verify that marketing claims are consistent with the supporting substantiation on file and appropriately qualified. 

• Route label revisions through review cycles and confirm that approved changes are correctly reflected in final label version. 
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Ingredient and Product Specifications 

• Create, review, and maintain ingredient and finished product specifications, ensuring identity, grade, source, and quality parameters are accurately captured and kept current. 

• Evaluate incoming ingredient documentation — specifications, certificates of analysis, allergen and GMO statements, country of origin, and regulatory status — against internal requirements and applicable regulations. 

• Request, track, and follow up on documentation from suppliers, contract manufacturers, government agencies, and certifying bodies until files are complete. 
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Project Ownership and Collaboration 

• Manage multiple concurrent projects against launch timelines, keeping stakeholders informed of status, risks, and dependencies. 

• Identify documentation gaps and compliance issues independently, propose practical solutions, and escalate only what genuinely needs escalating. 

• Serve as a regulatory resource to Marketing, R&D, Quality, Supply Chain, and Customer Service. 

• Monitor regulatory developments relevant to supplements, cosmetics, and beverages. 

• Other duties as assigned. 
   

Qualifications and Skills 

Required 

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in a scientific or technical field — chemistry, biochemistry, biology, food science, nutrition, or a closely related discipline. 

• 0-3 years of relevant experience. 

• Working understanding of basic chemistry principles, including compound identity, concentration, purity, and the difference between an ingredient and its active constituents. 

• Comfort with quantitative work: unit conversions (mcg, mg, IU), percent composition, overage calculations, percent Daily Value, and label rounding rules. 

• Demonstrated attention to detail and accuracy in document-based work, with the discipline to catch small errors in dense technical material. 

• Ability to independently prioritize and advance multiple projects with competing deadlines. 

• Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to present findings and recommendations to cross-functional partners and to correspond professionally with external suppliers and certifying bodies. 

• Proficiency with word processing and spreadsheet software, and the ability to learn company and industry-specific systems. 

• Ability to read, interpret, and apply regulatory text, scientific literature, and technical documentation. 
   

Preferred 

• Coursework, internship, or work experience in regulatory affairs, quality assurance, or a related compliance function. 

• Familiarity with any of the following: DSHEA, 21 CFR Part 101 (labeling), 21 CFR Part 111 (dietary supplement cGMP), MoCRA and cosmetic labeling requirements, FTC advertising substantiation standards, or California Proposition 65. 

• Prior exposure to third-party certification programs such as USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project, Halal, or Kosher. 

• Experience with specification management, PLM, ERP, or label management systems.