Labeling Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

About Us:

Carl Buddig and Company, a respected name in the meat manufacturing industry, boasts a legacy of over 80 years. Founded as a family-owned company, we have evolved into a leading producer of premium meat products, including renowned lunchmeats, ready-to-eat cooked meats under our Kingsford, LLC division, and savory snack meats from Old Wisconsin.

As a third-generation family business, our success is anchored in our commitment to quality, innovation, and community. With a workforce of 2,500 dedicated team members spread across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, we continue to expand, driven by a vision for excellence and a responsiveness to evolving consumer preferences.

At Carl Buddig and Company, we foster a culture centered around teamwork and innovation. We strive to create an environment that values creativity and collaboration, ensuring every team member is empowered to contribute to our collective goals.

Our dedication extends beyond our business operations. We actively support charitable initiatives and community organizations through direct contributions, volunteer work, and partnerships. We aim to make a positive impact and give back to the communities that have supported us over the years.

Join us at Carl Buddig and Company, where tradition meets innovation, and where our passion for quality meat products is matched by our commitment to our people and communities.

Position Summary: 

The Regulatory and Product Development Manager is responsible for leading regulatory compliance and product development activities across Carl Buddig Company (CBC), Carl Buddig BBQ (CBQ), and Old Wisconsin Sausage (OWS). This role ensures all products, packaging, labels, claims, and formulations comply with applicable USDA, FDA, CFIA, and other regulatory requirements while driving new product development, product improvements, and commercialization initiatives.

The position serves as a key liaison between R&D, Operations, Quality Assurance, Marketing, Sales, Purchasing, Regulatory Consultants, and external suppliers to ensure products are developed, approved, launched, and maintained in compliance with company standards and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities: 

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as business needs require.

Regulatory Compliance Leadership

• Manage and lead regulatory compliance activities across all product categories and business units.

• Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, CFIA, and applicable state and international regulations.

• Coordinate and submit USDA and Canadian label approvals as required.

• Serve as the primary regulatory resource for labeling, ingredient declarations, nutrition facts, allergen management, product claims, standards of identity, and country-of-origin requirements.

• Review and approve packaging artwork, labels, and marketing materials for regulatory compliance and company standards.

• Partner with regulatory consultants and industry experts to remain current on regulatory changes and emerging requirements.

• Maintain regulatory documentation, approvals, specifications, and supporting records.

• Provide guidance and training to internal teams regarding regulatory requirements and compliance initiatives.

• Serve as the primary contact for customer inquiries related to product claims, ingredients, sourcing, labeling, and regulatory matters.

• Issue film/label samples for graphics books as updates are made.

Nutrition and Formulation Regulatory Oversight

• Oversee the assembly, verification, and maintenance of Nutrition Facts Panels and related nutritional documentation for all products.

• Review and approve final product formulations to ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, CFIA, and customer-specific regulatory requirements.

• Evaluate formulation changes for impacts to nutrition labeling, ingredient statements, allergen declarations, standards of identity, and product claims.

• Verify the accuracy of nutritional calculations, laboratory analyses, ingredient specifications, and supporting documentation used for label development.

• Collaborate with R&D, Quality Assurance, Operations, and Marketing to ensure final formulations align with approved labeling and regulatory requirements.

• Assess and approve label claims, marketing statements, and package declarations based on formulation and regulatory requirements.

• Maintain regulatory oversight of formulation, ingredient, and nutritional data within company specification systems.

• Provide regulatory guidance regarding formulation adjustments, ingredient substitutions, and product changes that may affect labeling compliance.

Project Management and Commercialization

• Lead cross-functional project teams to ensure timely execution of development and regulatory objectives.

• Create and maintain project timelines, risk assessments, and commercialization plans.

• Manage Management of Change (MOC) documentation associated with new products, formulation changes, packaging updates, and process modifications.

• Support successful product launches by coordinating activities across internal and external stakeholders.

• Monitor project progress and communicate updates to management and business partners.

Technical and Customer Support

• Serve as a technical resource for customers, suppliers, operations teams, and commercial partners.

• Support audits, inspections, customer requests, and regulatory inquiries.

• Assist with customer product specifications, regulatory questionnaires, and product documentation requests.

• Work with external suppliers and vendors to ensure ingredient and packaging compliance.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong understanding of USDA, FDA, and Canadian food labeling regulations.
• Knowledge of food product development principles, formulation, ingredient functionality, and commercialization processes.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and influence cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience with product specification management systems is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and make sound business decisions.
• Ability to legally work in the United States is required.
• Ability to work 40 or more hours per week.
• Nice to have Adobe Creative Suite knowledge. 

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Food Science, Meat Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Biology, Nutrition, or a related scientific field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in food regulatory affairs, food labeling, product development, or a related discipline.
• Experience with USDA label approval processes and meat and poultry regulatory requirements strongly preferred.
• Experience managing food product development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Working knowledge of Canadian food regulations and labeling requirements preferred.
• Regulatory, food science, quality, HACCP, or related certifications are considered a plus.

Working Conditions:           

• Must be able to work in various environments including office, laboratory, pilot plant, and production facilities
• Must be flexible and available to support business needs as required.
• Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
• Must be capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Periodic travel to manufacturing facilities, suppliers, customers, or industry events may be required.

Pay Range for this position $80,000 to $105,000, depending on experience.

Benefits for this role include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, FSA, HSA, 401(k) Plan with Company Match, Vacation & PTO, and Tuition Reimbursement.  There is also a potential for a discretionary bonus this bonus is based on personal & company performance and is not a guaranteed bonus plan.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Employment Decisions Statement 

Carl Buddig and Company does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to make any employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, promotion, performance evaluations, discipline, or termination. All employment decisions are made by trained HR professionals and company leaders to ensure fairness, consistency, and compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act.