Product & Regulatory Specialist 1

Purpose of the Position:

The Product & Regulatory Compliance 1 plays a critical role in ensuring seamless oversight and guidance throughout the complete Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) process under close supervision. This position supports the accurate creation, validation, and maintenance of specifications and graphics, contributing to product accuracy and regulatory compliance prior to production.

Essential Position Responsibilities – This is a salary exempt position.

Regulatory & Labeling Compliance. Collaborates with the Regulatory Affairs team to verify product claims and ensure labeling accuracy in alignment with applicable USDA, FDA, AAFCO, and international regulatory frameworks. Supports adherence to all state, federal, and international regulations as they pertain to the Simmons portfolio. Supports artwork review for regulatory accuracy under direction. Supports overall compliance for Simmons products, including tonnage reporting and state and federal registrations where applicable. Maintains and updates the label library across applicable systems, supporting consistency and traceability. Provides support for export documentation and regulatory requirements, contributing to international market access. Supports responses to customer and sales team requests for product information under direction.

Specification Management & Collaboration. Supports the stewardship of specifications and projects through the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system under close supervision, contributing to efficient production workflows. Assists in verifying that submitted specifications are complete, accurate, and properly routed before release. Supports specification change management across business units, including formulation, packaging, supplier, and regulatory-driven changes. Helps maintain data integrity across PLM modules and downstream system references. Supports specification system users across Simmons with day-to-day questions.

Supplier Compliance. Supports the collection, validation, and maintenance of supplier documentation in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) under close supervision, working with Procurement, R&D, and suppliers to ensure documentation is current, complete, and accurate. Supports verification that new and existing vendors meet defined compliance criteria. Assists with supplier set-ups within the specification management system and helps maintain accurate supplier data to enhance project launch efficiency and streamline operations. Supports renewal cycles and aging reports to identify and close documentation gaps for new suppliers, ingredients, and packaging components. Supports the Food Safety & Quality team through timely data collection and document maintenance. Assists in coordinating with suppliers and internal stakeholders on ongoing compliance updates and audit readiness. 

Specification Authoring & Collaboration. Supports the development, review, and ongoing maintenance of Simmons internal specifications under close supervision, contributing to specification accuracy and consistency across business units. Partners with R&D to translate product knowledge into structured, system-ready specifications, learning the authoring craft across business unit and item type. Applies established templates, naming conventions, and required attributes when authoring specifications. Hands authored specifications to the Specification Management team for workflow processing and responds to verification feedback. Incorporates regulatory inputs into specifications in partnership with Regulatory Compliance.

Process Improvement & Systems Optimization.  Participate in targeted process improvement initiatives across designated functional areas, identifying opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance overall operational effectiveness. Focus efforts on integrating Simmons systems and processes to minimize manual data entry, improve real-time data accuracy, and support scalable solutions that align with enterprise objectives.

Participates as a member of the Technical Services Team. Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of leadership and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization. 

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives: Is familiar with Simmons’ established  operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, continuous improvement);  understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of  these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the  responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas. 

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives: Perform other duties as directed by your supervisor. This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in  this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended to describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.

Physical Activities: Enters and locates information on a computer. Visually verifies information, often in  small print. Presents information to small or large groups. Communicates with Customers, Suppliers, or Employees via phone, in person, and/or electronic mail. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): As needed in a required environment. 

Travel: Travels occasionally to manufacturing locations.

Technical Experience: Related work experience preferred. Preference for experience in a field requiring attention to detail including graphics, regulatory, labeling, prepress, quality, business, science, sourcing, etc. Strong communication and project management skills and an understanding of food safety and basic quality systems a plus. 

Industry Experience: Background in food manufacturing preferred.

Minimum Education: High School education. 

Preferred Education: Bachelor’s degree in animal nutrition, business, graphic design, food science, or a related field. Familiarity with food labeling laws and regulations is highly preferred.  Knowledge of PLM systems and supplier portals is a plus.

We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.