Vice President, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs

### POSITION AVAILABLE

**Vice President, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs, International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA)**

The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) is seeking an individual with notable regulatory and scientific expertise in the dairy processing industry or related fields to assume a leadership role on the trade association’s Regulatory & Scientific Affairs Team. The person selected will report to IDFA’s Senior Vice President, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs.

The Vice President of Regulatory & Scientific Affairs will enhance and support the visibility of IDFA’s efforts with regulators, policymakers, and a variety of other key stakeholders, including relevant allies across the food and agriculture sector to drive progress on shared outcomes. This person, with others on the Regulatory & Scientific Affairs Team, will provide thought leadership and help shape and create relevant positions on policy topics affecting the dairy processing industry emanating from regulatory agencies and legislative bodies at the federal and state levels. This role will contribute substantively to supporting IDFA’s perspective in the regulatory and scientific community and may be called upon to serve as an industry spokesperson in leading a meaningful and effective dialogue on issues affecting the dairy industry, including direct engagement with policymakers and leaders at the federal and state levels. Finally, this role will closely collaborate with industry leaders sitting on various IDFA regulatory committees and industry segment boards for the purposes of gathering feedback, sharpening IDFA positions, and developing strategies to achieve shared outcomes.

This position is eligible for full-time telework, if desired, but the person must be willing to travel several times a year to IDFA’s Washington, D.C. office, board and industry meetings in various locations, and other meetings and conferences, as needed.

### JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Vice President, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs provides scientific and technical support to domestic and international dairy processors by:

– Developing position papers, commissioning research and collecting data, and commenting on draft guidance and proposed rules to assure flexible, durable and implementable policies and regulations in the best interest of dairy processors.
– Collaborating with industry leaders sitting on various IDFA regulatory committees and industry segment boards to gather feedback, sharpen IDFA positions, and develop strategies to achieve shared outcomes.
– Leading education and training opportunities to enhance members’ understanding of new guidance and regulations.
– Monitoring and analyzing emerging issues to provide advice to members on questions related to regulatory compliance for dairy plant processing, product formulation, use of ingredients, product labeling, equipment and technology, and food safety and emerging traceability requirements.
– Partnering and collaborating with and advocating to federal and state regulators to inform policymaking, problem-solve, and collect data to answer relevant questions.

In addition, the Vice President, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs will support dairy processors by:

– Serving as an industry lead and contact for the National Conference of Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) Grade “A” Milk and Milk Products.
– Sitting on the board of 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc.
– Providing strategic direction, engaging in priority setting, and driving to completion assigned priority work in the food safety space.
– Establishing agendas, securing speakers, writing session descriptions, reviewing marketing materials, leading pre-meetings with speakers and panelists, facilitating or moderating sessions, and/or presenting during IDFA member events including, in part, Dairy Forum, the Dairy Labeling Course, Ice Cream Technology conference, Yogurt and Cultured Products Innovation conference, and Regulatory RoundUp.
– Drafting position papers, statements and articles.
– Working directly with government agencies including State Departments of Agriculture and Public Health, FDA, USDA, and others.
– Working with governmental and non-governmental working groups and serving as the lead or facilitator for industry working groups and committees focused on food safety and regulatory compliance.

### JOB REQUIREMENTS

– Master’s degree required or PhD preferred in dairy science, biology, microbiology, food processing technology, food safety, or related fields.
– Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience in the dairy or food industry or as a policymaker in the food space, ideally with a focus on dairy in the federal government.
– Strong understanding of the U.S. regulatory and procurement environment, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance and associated regulations and guidance.

### KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

– Knowledge/familiarity of the broad food and beverage industry; professional relationships with administration or instructors/researchers at U.S. colleges or universities useful.
– Must have strong leadership skills, strategic thinking and sound judgment.
– Ability to lead projects to completion in a timely manner.
– Strong ability to communicate detailed and complex technical information to dairy companies and other stakeholders via written and oral communications.
– Ability to operate independently, influence without authority, demonstrate resourcefulness, and excellent problem-solving skills.
– Must be able to collaborate with diverse stakeholders to problem-solve and get results.
– A demonstrated ability to deliver value for members, clients, shareholders, or other constituents.

You can learn more about IDFA by visiting [www.idfa.org].

If interested, please email your resume and statement of interest to [[email protected]].