R&D Claims and Compliance Director

The Home & Garden business unit of Spectrum Brands is based in St. Louis, Missouri with distribution, manufacturing and sales offices throughout the US and globe. We are a leading supplier of consumer products nationally for the home, lawn and garden, insect and weed control markets. We deliver groundbreaking products of exceptional value and top-notch quality to consumers with our well-recognized brands including Spectracide, Hot Shot, Cutter, Repel, Black Flag, Garden Safe, EcoLogic and Liquid Fence.

The R&D Claims & Compliance Director is responsible for Claims & Compliance department (C&C) which includes analytical, biological sciences (entomology), and plant biology laboratories, leading claims development and substantiation for the compliance of all biological and chemical studies, based on robust scientific criteria, that will support legal and regulatory requirements, as well as external claims communication. Management of internal R&D quality and technical services that are critical to day-to-day operations of all C&C laboratories, including quality, method development, claims, analytical science, entomology, plant-biology and Good Laboratory Practices in general in R&D. Excellence in understanding EPA requirements, and how to prepare, deliver and maintain proper GLP documentation for compliance with pesticides and related. Strong collaborative leadership style, with passion for science & technology and for developing talents to reach their full potential.

Compliance & Strategy

• Design and implement vision and future strategy for Claims & Compliance department to lead and be recognized as a key contributor, maximizing resources, and subject matter expert internally and externally.
• Up-to-date knowledge of global regulatory requirements, especially current and new regulations in EPA; proactive adjustments of laboratory requirements, documents and methodologies, to comply with EPA regulations and guidelines, or other agency ruling countries where GHC expands its business.

Claims Management & Documentations

• Oversee the development, review and approval of state-of-the-art methodologies, protocols and technical studies, substantiated by robust scientific data, to comply with necessary regulations, such as EPA, and legal requirements, guaranteeing product efficacy and safety, supporting products registration, label, and commercial efforts for advertising, and presentations to customers.
• Lead and recommend ways to apply new emerging techniques that will maximize their value to the organization; connection with universities and/or associations is a plus.
• Responsible to generate and maintain comprehensive documentation of all compliance activities, laboratory results and technical evidences for regulatory and legal submissions.
• Analyze the organization's existing assets to identify opportunities for improvement.

Scientific Oversight & Risk Management

• Provide expert guidance on the design of research, conduction of analytical, entomological, and plant biological methodologies and studies, to ensure integrity, scientific robustness and reliability of laboratory/scientific data generated.
• Perform research to support claims for existing and new product launches.
• Identify potential compliances risks and develop mitigation strategies to address them, in collaboration with other departments, including Sourcing, Regulatory, Legal.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections to ensure ongoing adherence to legal, safety and regulatory requirements.

Collaboration

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Product Development, Industrial Design & Engineering, Outside Innovation, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, Legal, Supply Chain and Marketing to align strategies, and deliverables, for claims support and substantiation.

Leadership & Day-To-Day Work

• Develop and implement strategic vision and plans for business and talent development in collaboration with cross-functional leadership, aligned to company goals.
• Lead and develop Product Development personnel, mentoring R&D teams, and multi-functional ones, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous improvement, ensuring teams have the necessary skills to deliver upon the company goals, and promoting training and development for the continued progress of talents' careers.
• Oversees all aspects of team management, including employee selection, training, work allocation, performance evaluation, and conflict resolution.

• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Responsible for setting and managing own department budget and capex, reporting into total R&D.

• Advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in Biology, Biochemistry, or related technical field.
• 10+ years experience in a senior R&D role, in consumer, agriculture or turf/ornamentals markets, leading product development and/or laboratories/departments responsible for compliance and claims substantiation of products within EPA-regulated industry.
• Previous people leadership experience required; experience managing people leaders preferred.
• Full knowledge of pesticides EPA requirements & compliance is a must, desired understanding of similar regulations in other markets, particularly in Latin America (such as Colombia, Mexico, Brazil).
• Proven track record of managing laboratories with evidence of ownership in a breakthrough in the field. Experience in entomology and/or plant biology is a must, with a plus on chemical/analytical experience.
• Multi-discipline knowledge and experience are welcome

• Results oriented, with understanding of consumer insights, market trends, and ability to work well in teams, mobilizing cross-functional partners to create and translate science & technology into consumer centric communication, in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements of the different markets where we operate.
• Proficiency in preparing prepare detailed reports and documentation (journals a plus); comfortable to make presentations for internal stakeholders, external partners and regulatory/legal bodies.

• In-depth understanding of EPA regulations, laboratory standards (such as ASTM, GLP, ISO or similar) for Surface care products, Insecticides, Repellents and/or Herbicides.
• In-depth scientific research methodologies experience (PoP, DoE), with knowledge of statistical analysis.
• Ability to analyze complex data, solve problems with creativity, and agility, making informed decisions.
• Strong time management and organizational skill, with ability to manage projects independently.

• Ability to communicate effectively (oral and written) with all levels within the organization.

• Proven record of creating and leading high functioning and engaged teams who deliver results.
• Proven ability to develop and execute research programs that build brand equity, consumer confidence and support superior claims substantiation for global and local products; involvement with Key Opinion Leaders (KOL) a plus.
• Collaborate with R&D, QA and Regulatory to ensure alignment on GMP / GLP and compendia testing standards, shelf-life expiration, and other best-practices.
• Demonstrates expertise in Quality Policy/Quality Assurance, GLP, Safety Standards and requirements, commercialization standards risk assessment.
• PC skills (Spreadsheet, word processing, presentations).

20% laboratory environment and 80% normal hybrid office environment.

Travel requirements to support R&D activities - 10-15%.

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this job/classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Spectrum Brands is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

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