Head of Product Safety and Compliance

The Role

The role holder is responsible for leading the service to fulfil the Group’s manufacturer’s responsibilities for product safety and regulatory compliance of the IMB product portfolio. They will be responsible for leading the multi-disciplinary team to ensure that new products to market, for both combustible and NGP categories, meet our internal Standard of Care and any specific regulatory compliance requirements. They will lead a proactive post-market surveillance service, managing consumer health related incidents, post-market regulatory obligations and technical non-compliances. To act as AGP Chair ensuring that internal Standard of Care and compliance standards are fit for purpose and aligned to the IMB commercial strategy.

Principle Accountabilities

• Own the NGP Product Safety Risk Management process and ensure the holistic assessment of I2L product launches as well as product changes through the change control process.
• As AGP Chair, ensure that a high level of service is provided and lead the process for review for continuous improvements. Raise awareness of the AGP throughout the business. As AGP Chair, provide Product Safety support in the Product Stewardship and Health Group (PSHG).
• To lead the team engaged in the full AGP process of supporting the IMB product portfolio to market and to support innovation by the provision to the highest professional standards, advice and interpretation related to toxicology evaluation and testing of ingredients, crop protection agents, finished products and related issues, based on risk assessment in a cost-effective and timely manner.
• Lead the Product Characterisation team, setting the strategic framework for all of IMB’s product characterisation scientific substantiation activities to ensure current and future regulatory requirements are met aligned with the commercial agenda.
• Collaborate closely with HR&E to define & support with the necessary preclinical science to substantiate IMBs meaningful contribution to HR and ESG-related preclinical science.
• Lead the team engaged in Post Market Surveillance provided through the Risk Assessment Panel (RAP) service which manages potential health-related crises in relation to product ingredients, defects or contaminants to ensure that requirements of the EU General Product Safety Directive are met.
• To act as chair of Change Control Committee and provide robust change control processes for combustible and NGP portfolios, keeping cross-functional teams informed of product changes impacting broader regulatory compliance activities e.g regulatory submissions.
• Own the regulatory testing process for combustible and NGP product categories, ensuring it is fit for purpose and mitigates any future non-compliance risks.
• To lead a chemical management service to ensure the regulatory compliance in terms of registration under REACH and classification, labelling and packaging, in terms of CLP and GHS, of the IMB NGP portfolio.
• Drive performance of the team through strong leadership, focussed on continuous improvement initiatives generated through relevant KPIs and metrics.
• Maintain professional standards as well as representing Imperial Brands in relevant industry groups and scientific forums conferences.

Skills and Experience Required

Essential: 

• Knowledge and experience related to toxicology or product safety risk assessment.
• People management experience across multiple locations/functions.
• Cost centre management experience.
• Credibility at professional & director /senior management level.
• Broad understanding of scientific and regulatory issues impacting IMB commercial strategy.
• Ability to communicate easily across cultures and organisational levels.
• Strong relationship building skills and ability to foster cross-functional collaboration
• Strong project management skills and experience
• Strong influencing & negotiating skills and experience

Desirable:

• Willingness to travel internationally
• Experience in Corporate Governance, and risk control
• EU Registered Toxicologist status or equivalent

What We Offer

In return for playing your part in building our future, you will receive a comprehensive compensation package with salary, bonus scheme and further benefits as well inspiring places to work and collaborate with purpose. Here at Imperial we will give you the opportunity to grow and learn, innovate at pace and be a part of our purpose to forge a path to a healthier future for moments of relaxation and pleasure for our consumers.

Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants. Please contact us at recruitment@impbrands.com to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.

About Us

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 120 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all.  Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.

As a matter of policy, Imperial Tobacco or its subsidiaries never requests or requires payment as part of any recruitment process.