Job opening

Regulatory Expert (Toxicology Focus) and Sustainability Manager

Job Description

The successful candidate will support the IFRA Global Regulatory Affairs Director in defending fragrance ingredients facing regulatory challenges and pressures while monitoring regulatory and technical developments in global chemical control legislation—particularly EU REACH and CLP regulations. The candidate will report to the IFRA Global Regulatory Affairs Director and President.

This role will strengthen IFRA’s regulatory toxicology capacity, with the candidate acquiring in-depth technical expertise in fragrance ingredients and managing regulatory and toxicological aspects related to chemicals.

Additionally, the candidate will serve as the Sustainability Manager, contributing to global sustainability initiatives (including partnerships with other associations). This requires proficiency in data collection, processing, and environmental impact calculation models.

The candidate will also coordinate activities within the IFRA network and foster collaborations with external partner associations and other trade bodies on shared regulatory and policy concerns.

Key Responsibilities

Ingredient Defence

• Monitor and track ECHA activities to identify fragrance substances under regulatory scrutiny, ensuring timely communication with members.
• Coordinate industry input to public consultations related to the EU harmonised classification and labelling (CLH) process, including reviewing proposals and organizing calls to consolidate feedback.
• Manage industry participation in ECHA Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) meetings by preparing and submitting technical input from the fragrance industry.
• Coordinate and participate in technical discussions with regulatory authorities worldwide.
• Provide support for ingredient defence consortia as needed.
• Collaborate with industry partner associations to prepare IFRA's regulatory positions on priority subjects.

Chemicals Control Legislation

• Manage, follow up, and coordinate industry input on REACH implementation activities.
• Draft technical input, supported by member experts, addressing compliance and guidance on emerging or new regulations.
• Support the preparation of IFRA comments and participate in relevant meetings with regulatory authorities.

Global Collaboration

• Actively participate in regional and global IFRA and partner association meetings to represent fragrance industry perspectives.

Project Management and Meetings Planning

• Organize, prepare, and plan calls and meetings for IFRA working groups and task forces related to chemical control legislation and ingredient defence.
• Provide project management support for ingredient defence initiatives, ensuring proper follow-up and execution of tasks.
• Offer administrative support, including agenda setting, drafting minutes, and coordinating follow-up actions.

Key Skills and Knowledge

This mid-management role requires solid expertise in regulatory toxicology and a thorough understanding of chemical management legislation. The ideal candidate will also possess a scientific or technical background to support their regulatory knowledge.

• Regulatory toxicology expertise: Strong experience in the EU CLP classification process, REACH, and global regulatory frameworks.
• Sustainability expertise: Experience in data analysis, environmental impact calculation models, and sustainability initiatives.
• Project management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deliver results with strong organizational and coordination skills.
• Communication skills: Ability to communicate complex technical matters to diverse audiences, including non-scientific stakeholders, in a clear and accessible manner.
• Cross-disciplinary interface: Ability to navigate regulatory, scientific, and political issues in an international context.
• Technical proficiency: Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills; full proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with AI tools is a plus.
• Interpersonal skills & team collaboration: Strong team player with experience in working across international and interdisciplinary teams; knowledge of fragrance/FMCG sectors is an asset.
• Preferred but not required: Prior experience working with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on technical matters would be considered an advantage.

For More Information

This is a full-time position with employment under Belgian law.

Applications must be submitted in English. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

IFRA is an equal-opportunity employer and offers a competitive remuneration package. Regular travel may be required.

For more information, please visit our website: https://ifrafragrance.org/

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications, including a cover letter, to secretariat@ifrafragrance.org. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Deadline for applications: 28 February 2025.

Equal opportunities and diversity

IFRA is an equal opportunity employer.

We embrace diversity and enable an inclusive work environment that does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion or belief, disability, or sexual orientation.