Regulatory Affairs Manager, China

About the role

Lesaffre's Gnosis business unit, which develops health solutions based on microorganisms, is looking for a Regulatory Affairs Manager based in China (preferably Shanghai). Acting as a trusted advisor to the Gnosis China leadership team, the role drives regulatory strategy and market access for ingredients and customer opportunities, advises commercial teams on compliance and claims, and represents the function with regulators and industry bodies.

Key responsibilities

• Lead China regulatory strategy and market access, assessing ingredients against food standards, positive lists, food additive and novel food requirements, and using global dossiers to define regulatory pathways.
• Support regulatory submissions, registrations, filings, notifications and technical documentation, and coordinate with the Global Gnosis regulatory team to avoid duplication.
• Assess product, ingredient and customer-facing claims, and guide labeling, advertising and promotional language so that prohibited or misleading claims are avoided.
• Advise customers on ingredient compliance, labeling and claims, and take part in customer and key account meetings in China.
• Develop regulatory guidance documents such as Q&As, regulatory alerts and training materials, and ensure regulatory impact assessments of changes to ingredients, specifications and claims.
• Build China regulatory intelligence, including a regulatory watch, competitor analysis and insights shared with other markets.
• Review customer-facing materials for regulatory accuracy, support compliance assessments, and promote transparent escalation of regulatory risks.
• Represent the company with professional associations, regulatory experts and external stakeholders, and engage local regulatory consultants, lawyers and technical experts when needed.
• Act as the main regulatory liaison with the Global Gnosis regulatory team and the Greater China Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer, and collaborate across China, Europe and other global time zones.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences, food science, regulatory affairs, pharmacy, nutrition or a related field (master's preferred).
• 10-15 years of regulatory affairs experience in China, preferably in nutraceuticals, food ingredients, dietary supplements or consumer health.
• Proven track record managing regulatory projects, submissions, claims development and compliance, preferably across multiple international markets.
• Experience advising senior leadership and commercial teams, and working in a matrix organization.
• Based in China with flexibility to travel domestically and occasionally internationally.
• Familiarity with Lesaffre's business model as an ingredient supplier and the ability to maintain compliance boundaries with customers.

Required skills

• Strong expertise in China food regulatory requirements (SAMR, NHC, customs, food safety standards).
• Fluent Mandarin and strong professional English.
• Ability to interpret and communicate scientific and regulatory information clearly to commercial teams.