Regulatory & Safety Director - Africa

We are Reckitt

​Research & Development​

Regulatory and Safety Affairs is a critical function within R&D: a key partner in developing the right portfolio strategy for brilliant innovation, activation in our markets and secure the products during all product life cycle.

We actively engage externally with stakeholders and regulators to anticipate and credibly influence changes to the regulatory environment, and we bring that regulatory intelligence back to Reckitt to drive better informed business decisions. We lead the thinking internally about what is possible and put forward ideas that become reality, acting as an stewards of our brands and our company to deliver compliant and competitively positioned products to the people we serve.

About the role

Reckitt is looking for an Regulatory & Safety Director who will be the champion of regulatory leadership, ensuring that our vibrant selection of products comply with the most rigorous global standards. Your strategic direction will empower both our Research & Development and Commercial Development teams. If you have a passion for driving change through meticulous regulation in a dynamic environment, we invite you to join us and help improve lives through global business solutions.

Your responsibilities

• Direct line management of local regulatory teams in the region of responsibility supporting all products categories
• Serve as the Senior Regulatory & Safety partner and point of contact on relevant regional management teams. Builds effective, collaborative, and influential relationship across the Africa business and functional stakeholders
• Provide strategic input to overall regional & global regulatory strategies and contribute to the development and implementation of commercial objectives and strategies in AFRICA region
• Actively support in the development and implementation of strategies for the region to proactively lead global product registration (detailed submission planning, adaptation of master-dossiers, lead all contact with local regulatory agencies incl. responses to regulatory agency questions and other correspondence and negotiations)
• Facilitate Registration and maintenance of medical devices, cosmetic product, Hygiene, Personal care, Herbal, Healthcare, commodity products and food supplements in line with local business unit plan and commercial priorities.
• Monitor, collect and interpret regulatory issues and trends that will impact Reckitt Health Care category products, policies and procedures; share this information with appropriate local and global functions
• Lead on-going reputation and relationship building with key regulatory authority in the region to have a thought leadership and lead the external advocacy for the key Reckitt Regulatory policies and priorities for the region
• Hold leadership positions on key trade associations and serve as the external voice of Reckitt in the key market(s) of responsibility
• Guarantee proactive monitor of the developments in the regional regulatory environment, to ensure timely reporting into the Regulatory Intelligence system and provide assessments of the impact of new and changing regulations for the region
• Lead interactions with regulatory authorities, government agencies and industry association in Africa region to assess the impact and implementation of all regulations, laws and industry policies that affect the ingredients, packaging, marketing, advertising, labelling and production of Reckitt products personnel to seek guidance, expedite approval of pending applications and to resolve regulatory matters Interface and represent company interest and government agencies, industry associations and other organizations to influence legislation, regulations and guidelines to ensure that they do not impose excessive or unfair burdens on our industry or products.
• Support all business expansion initiatives, including localization projects, joint ventures, local manufactures.
• Lead and develop present RAS team with an enterprise mindset, courage/influence/impact behaviour, where personal ownership, being ‘nimble’, strong teamwork, and ‘care for colleagues’ are key.
• Great cross function collaboration across all BU’s mainly MKT, Supply, Finance with extreme focus on Budget
• Provide risk assessments balancing business needs and risks to be challenged by Non- Government Organizations (NGOs), authorities or competitor
• Ensure the review and approval of local artwork and promotional copy to guarantee full regulatory compliance
• Manage updates to relevant local databases to ensure compliance
• Manage compliance within the department by ensuring global, regional and local processes, policies, SOPs and working instructions are adhered to\
• Guarantee the management and responses product safety events (AEs, SAEs, Recalls etc) in the region through DSO network and GSA.
• As core member of the RAS EM Leadership team, play an active leadership role partnering on broader level strategic priorities and workstreams to enable a thriving, vibrant and winning RAR organization.

The experience we're looking for

• Min 15 years’ relevant regulatory and safety experience in the African markets (East, West, Central , southern and south Africa ~48 Markets) countries as well international across multiple product classifications (including Medicines, OTC, Herbal medicines, MD, VMS Disinfectants and general products) within a FMCG/pharmaceutical environment and a record of accomplishment of successful authority negotiations and delivering business outcomes in the region.
• Strong scientific credentials with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) / Master of Science (MS) degree in a relevant scientific discipline (Pharmaceutical science or chemistry, human biology, biochemistry or biology with experience in pharmaceutical and/or FMCG industry)
• An experienced leader who has successfully managed multicounty and multi-cultural Teams, with proven success to develop remote high-performance team with the ability to translate strategy into clear operational objectives.
• Proven experience as member of Regional executive leadership teams with demonstrated enterprise leadership skills in addition to functional expertise.
• Broad knowledge of AFRICA Region regulatory requirements and moving environment with extensive experience interfacing with regulatory agencies.
• Demonstrates courage and empathy to lead teams through change by adopting a growth mindset and inclusive/expansive leadership.
• Strategic mindset with demonstrated ability to anticipate future trends accurately and has a broad knowledge and perspective on regulatory implications across a range of product classifications and markets.
• Clear and logical thinker with the ability to recognize patterns and develop innovative solutions
• The ability to effectively manage projects and relationships with local partners contractors, and consultants to achieve Reckitt r’s objectives 

The skills for success

Commercial Awareness, Business Partnership, Collaboration, Partnership building, Collaborator, Product Lifecycle Management, Regulatory, Ability to challenge the status quo, Propose improvement, Accountability, Adaptability, Business Strategy, Objective Setting, Consumer Needs, Change Leadership, Task Execution Under Pressure, Makes strategic Business Decisions, Adapt to changes in technological development plans, Creative Direction, Relationship Management.

What we offer

Equality