Are you known for exceeding expectations? Do you embrace the Spirit of Hawai‘i? Then please keep reading because we’re looking for people like you at Hawaiian Host Group.

Who are we? Hawaiian Host Group (HHG) is a leading Hawai‘i-based consumer goods company with a portfolio of brands that includes Hawaiian Host®, Mauna Loa®, MacFarms®, KOHO®, and Royal Hawaiian Orchards®. Sold in over 23 countries, HHG produces a suite of products ranging from flavored macadamia nuts to artisan chocolates, and macadamia milk-based ice cream. Our dedicated team of Hosts of Hawai‘i is spread across its headquarters in Honolulu and offices in Hilo, Kona, Los Angeles, and Tokyo. HHG has manufacturing plants in Honolulu and Kea‘au, as well as Hawai‘i’s largest single macadamia farm. 

We are an excited team of people that all have one vision in common: sharing the Spirit of Hawai‘i with the world. Expect camaraderie, product tastings, and other (virtual and in-person) events that make our culture unique. And more importantly, know that your work contributes to our purpose; to make the Islands’ future flourish. We do this through our Takitani foundation that grants scholarships to deserving local students, our solar farm on the Big Island, and other social & environmental initiatives.

That’s enough about us for now, we’d love to learn more about you. Read the job description below and let us know if you’re interested. We can’t wait to meet you!

Under the direction of the Senior Quality Assurance (QA) Manager, the Regulatory Compliance Specialist creates, reviews, updates, and approves food product labels. Develops mandatory label information and reviews claims to ensure accuracy and compliance with FDA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21 Part 101 – Food Labeling (including new FSMA regulations), state and local regulations, as well as Company policies and procedures. Communicates with multiple teams dedicated to product and label development on accuracy and compliance matters, as well as records and reports to management on consumer inquiries and concerns, label issues and compliance results. Also, responsible for assisting in product innovation and quality assurance matters. Maintains the regulatory information within our Company database system.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (REGULATORY COMPLIANCE - 60%):

• Acts as Company specialist in all aspects of product labeling and compliance including, but not limited to, regulatory directives on nutrition and ingredients.
• Develops mandatory label information documents which include product name, net weight, ingredient statement, allergen declaration, nutrition facts, Kosher, and authenticity claims that meet government requirements. This includes ensuring compliance with all label related health and other claims.
• Leads, coordinates, and maintains regulatory compliance related to products and ingredients specifications, product formulations, packaging, and food labeling.
• Applies international, federal, state, and local regulations for both existing and new products.
• Obtains and verifies nutritional information from raw ingredient suppliers and creates Nutrition Facts using software program (ESHA). 
• Reviews and approves artwork, graphics, and text of existing and proposed product labels to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance (to include nutrition panel, ingredient statement, net contents declaration, statement of identity, allergen declaration, health, and other claims).
• Communicates up-to-date knowledge and interpretation of current and pending labeling regulations.
• Collects, records, and submits to management label deficiencies, consumer concerns, compliance results, etc. to help drive product compliance, as well as brand and product improvement.
• Works cross functionally to maintain the agility of the food labeling process with necessary work teams to handle all phases of the product label change process, including statement of identity, nutrition facts, ingredient and allergen declaration, country of origin and other optional label information (e.g., nutrient content claims, health claims). 
• Reviews and verifies new product package proofs for all Company products. 
• Maintains food labeling records and regulatory documentation for all products.
• Collects, validates, and maintains nutrition information and ingredients database. 
• Creates various regulatory documentation/statements for new/revised products, including Master Formulas, Finished Product Specifications, and Letters of Guarantee.
• Creates and provides foreign regulatory documents/statements including Product Export Analysis.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of domestic and foreign legal regulations, industry trends and best food labeling practices; makes recommendations to improve current programs and processes, and to ensure Company legal compliance.
• Assists to develop and update appropriate food labeling policies and procedures, as needed.

• Maintains and updates regulatory database, tools, systems, processes, and information.
• Identifies and initiates training opportunities as needed.
• Maintains all regulatory documents and provides updates to work teams.
• Provides other regulatory updates, training and support as needed.

• Assists and supports Quality Assurance to conduct internal Sensory Evaluation, Shelf-Life Study for new/revised products. Collects, reviews, and maintains data/results.

• Coordinates and prepares regulatory submission for domestic or international projects.
• Handles domestic and foreign customer requests (provides regulatory documents, statements, completes questionnaires and other documents). 
• Investigates and responds to external (customer) inquiries and concerns about product nutrition facts, ingredients, allergen declaration, and claims related to labeling.
• Works closely with internal departments (Product Development, Innovation, QA, Marketing, Sales and Purchasing) to ensure all product labeling and packaging plants adhere to Company policy and federal regulations.
• Provides food regulatory compliance, labeling expertise and collaborates cross functionally with teams to leverage regulations to help the Company be competitive in the marketplace.
• Identifies regulatory concerns and communicates to the appropriate individuals.
• Identifies opportunities to deliver regulatory information more efficiently and accurately.
• Assists with attaining BRC Global Food Safety certification. 
• Ability to work on multiple projects and priorities.

• Supports the updating of appropriate food regulatory compliance policies and procedures within the Company by providing research.
• May participate in trade or professional associations, such as those that represent the confectionery industry and organizations related to food science and/or regulations.
• Regular attendance is required for the position.

• BS Degree in Food Science, Nutrition, or related field required.
• A minimum of three (3) years of related experience in regulatory affairs or Quality Assurance in food industry.
• Working knowledge of FDA and USDA food labeling regulations and documentation requirements. 
• Strong knowledge of FDA CFR Title 21 Part 101 – Food Labeling.
• Experience with Nutrition Database programs (e.g., ESHA).
• Understanding of food product development, food safety, and allergens.
• Strong technical writing skills and sound math aptitude.
• Superior proofreading, organizational, time management skills.
• High level of analytical ability to resolve complex problems. 
• Ability to communicate and collaborate efficiently with coworkers and all levels of management. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, quick problem solving, and project management.
• Desire to mentor with Regulatory Compliance and QA leadership team.
• Ability to learn quickly and multi-task in a fast-paced environment with limited supervision.
• Highly organized and very detail oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to sit, use vision and hearing; frequently required to stand and walk; occasionally required to pull less than 25 pounds, lift less than 25 pounds, carry less than 25 pounds, stair climbing, bend; kneel; crouch; forward reach; overhead reach; grasp; handle; use finger dexterity, and eye-hand-foot coordination; seldom required to push, lift 25-50 pounds, carry 25-50 pounds, squat, stoop, and twist.

• The position requires talking to co-workers; written communication to co-workers; talking on the telephone; responding to written or verbal requests of co-workers; reading; talking to customers; talking to outside trade persons/vendors; written communication to outside trade persons/vendors; responding to written or verbal requests of vendors; training/giving verbal instructions; receiving verbal instructions; writing/composing written language; visiting/working at different worksites; written communication to customers; supervising others; receiving written instructions.

• Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• 1) While performing the duties of this job, the employee is not exposed to weather conditions. 
• 2) The noise level in the work environment is usually light.

Hawaiian Host Group is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.