Compliance and Licensing Administrator

POSITION SUMMARY

The Compliance and Licensing Administrator is responsible for managing and ensuring compliance with licensing requirements and regulations for Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF). They play a crucial role in overseeing the regulatory process, maintaining accurate records, and implementing strategies to optimize regulatory and license utilization and minimize costs. The administrator acts as a liaison with regulatory bodies, external agencies, and internal stakeholders to ensure adherence to licensing regulations and address any licensing-related issues. They provide guidance, support, and training to OSF employees throughout the regulatory and licensing process and collaborate with various departments to ensure proper compliance with all regulatory bodies. The administrator also conducts audits, prepares reports, and recommends actions to ensure ongoing compliance and best practices are being upheld by all OSF staff members. They are responsible for staying up to date with evolving regulatory and industry trends to ensure the company remains compliant with licensing and regulatory requirements.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the licensing and regulatory process within the company throughout all departments.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and licensing requirements, including tracking and renewal of licenses.
• Coordinate with relevant regulatory bodies to ensure all necessary documentation and qualifications are up to date.
• Review, create and maintain regulatory information (product specifications, product labels, nutritional and allergen information...) related to ingredients, ingredient formulations and finished products for the Canadian and US market to assess and assure compliance with the corresponding regulatory agency's policies, regulations, and standards (CFIA, Health Canada, FDA, USDA, TTB, LCRB).
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current food regulations, labelling requirements and relevant technical product and processing information in Canada and US. Assure appropriate interpretation of these regulations and communicate impact to the business.
• Utilizes food science, nutrition and regulatory knowledge to identify new ideas to help guide project teams through issues.
• Develop and maintain a system to track and organize license and regulatory information for all staff.
• Conduct regular audits to assess compliance with regulatory and licensing regulations and identify any gaps.
• Provide guidance and support to OSF Staff and OSF Management team throughout the licensing and regulatory process, including gathering required documentation and preparing for audits, if applicable.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, licensing regulations, regulatory updates and best practices related to license and regulatory management and utilization.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure alignment with company policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement strategies to optimize regulatory and license utilization and minimize costs associated with licensing and renewals.
• Collaborate with OSF managers and team leads to identify licensing and regulatory needs.
• Work with cross-functional teams to identify and mitigate any risks or issues related to licenses or regulations, such as potential non-compliance or gaps in coverage.
• Provide regular reports and recommendations to management on regulation and license utilization, compliance, and potential areas of improvement.
• Keep abreast of changes in regulations and requirements to ensure the company remains compliant and up to date.
• Foster strong relationships with relevant regulatory bodies, professional associations, and licensing boards.
• Collaborate with external partners or vendors, if necessary, to ensure the proper management and utilization of regulations and licenses.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures related to compliance and license management and utilization.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current food and alcohol regulations, labelling requirements and relevant technical product and processing information in Canada and US. Assure appropriate interpretation of these regulations and communicate impact to the business.

DESIRED KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Educational Background: A bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Law, Food Safety or a related field is generally preferred. Knowledge and understanding of food and beverage principles and licensing requirements are essential.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Thorough understanding of regulatory bodies and agencies governing food, beverage and alcohol licensure is important. Knowledge of licensing laws, regulations, and best practices is necessary to ensure compliance. An understanding of both Canadian and US regulatory requirements according to CFIA, Health Canada, FDA, USDA, LCRB and TTB would be an asset.
• Organizational Skills: Strong organizational skills are essential for managing multiple regulations, licenses, deadlines, and renewal processes. Attention to detail is crucial to maintain accurate and up-to-date license records.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary to engage with internal employees, regulatory bodies, and external stakeholders. Ability to effectively communicate requirements and provide guidance to employees is important.
• Excellent English language skills (verbal and written)
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical skills are required to assess license compliance and identify areas of improvement. Data analysis and reporting skills are also beneficial.
• Knowledge of Continuing Education: Familiarity with continuing education requirements for Employees and keeping up with industry trends and advancements is important for ensuring compliance.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: Ability to identify and address regulatory and licensing-related issues, develop, and implement solutions, and make informed decisions is important.
• Teamwork: Being able to collaborate effectively with all departments of OSF is important for managing compliance.
• Experience: Prior experience in license management, regulatory compliance, or a related field is advantageous.
• Collaboration: Collaboration and teamwork are key in working with various departments, regulatory bodies, and external agencies to ensure regulatory compliance and resolve all regulatory and licensing related matters. The administrator should effectively collaborate with others to achieve common goals.
• Continuous Learning: Staying informed about evolving regulations, industry trends, and best practices in license and regulatory management is crucial. The administrator should have a curiosity for learning and a proactive approach to professional development.
• Software Skills: Proficiency in using software applications and ERP systems for license and regulatory tracking, record-keeping, and data management is beneficial. Familiarity with relevant software or databases is an advantage.
• Ethics and Integrity: Upholding ethical standards and maintaining the highest level of integrity in license management and compliance is critical. The administrator should demonstrate a strong commitment to professionalism and ethical conduct.
• Performance: Proactive and performance driven, have a bias for action and be able to work under pressure in a fast paced, dynamic environment.

Mission Statement

Harnessing excellence in talent, passion, culture, technology, and innovation, OSF delivers premium quality tree fruit products in the constant pursuit of a healthier, more sustainable world.

About Us

Okanagan Specialty Fruits® (OSF) is a vertically integrated company specializing in the development, growing, processing and marketing of novel tree fruit varieties developed through bioengineering and other molecular tools. Based in Summerland, British Columbia, Canada, OSF was founded in 1996 and acquired by an affiliate of Third Security, LLC in 2020. OSF's flagship product is its nonbrowning Arctic® apples. Arctic apples provide a sustainable solution to less food waste and improved apple consumption.

For company information and partnership opportunities, visit www.osfruits.com.