Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist MENA

Position Title: Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist MENA

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time

Grade: Grade 05

Requisition ID: 42862

In every role, McCainers are ambitious, curious, and passionate about creating exceptional work experiences - together. With a customer-first mindset, we make doing business with McCain easy.

About the role.

The Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist (Middle East) plays a critical role in ensuring regulatory compliance for product composition, labelling, and marketing claims across the region. This position supports the commercialization of imported products by embedding Middle East regulatory requirements into specifications, processes, and finished goods. Acting as a subject matter expert, the role partners closely with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders to maintain compliance, mitigate risks, and anticipate regulatory changes while supporting both day-to-day operations and long-term business strategies.

What you’ll be doing.

• Be the trusted expert on food regulations in the Middle East, translating complex legislation into clear guidance for the business
• Take ownership of product compliance, ensuring formulas, ingredients, labelling, and claims meet all regulatory requirements
• Support the successful launch and adaptation of products across the region, particularly in an import-driven supply model
• Partner with teams like R&D, Marketing, and Procurement to enable compliant innovation and product improvements
• Proactively assess regulatory risks and help teams take the right decisions early on
• Keep a close eye on regulatory developments, anticipating changes and guiding the business through their impact
• Play an active role in shaping regulatory strategies and contributing to industry discussions where relevant
• Collaborate with global teams to align on standards, share best practices, and support new technologies or ingredients
• Provide support during sensitive situations, including crisis management and responses to regulatory or customer requests
• Build strong relationships with external stakeholders, including authorities and trade associations, to support the business and stay connected to industry developments

What you’ll need to be successful.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical discipline (e.g., Food Science, Regulatory Affairs, or similar)
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in Regulatory Affairs within a global food manufacturing organization or government
• Strong expertise in Middle East food regulations, including product composition, labelling, and claims requirements
• Proven ability to conduct regulatory risk assessments and manage complex compliance challenges
• Demonstrated experience working with regulatory authorities and navigating approval processes
• Solid knowledge of food safety standards, including microbiological specifications and contaminants
• Experience supporting product claims substantiation and labelling accuracy
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and senior leaders
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex regulatory topics clearly and persuasively
• Self-driven, hands-on professional with strong analytical thinking and a results-oriented mindset

Benefits of the role.

• Competitive salary package aligned with experience and market benchmarks.
• Opportunity to be a part of a global iconic brand, fun and high performing team
• A varied and responsible job in an effective and international team with flat hierarchies
• Local benefit (Health and Pension insurance)
• Work in an environment you actively help to shape and create.

Our purpose is grounded in building meaningful relationships. We’re big believers in the power of working together in person—it helps us stay connected, collaborate more effectively, and grow as a team. At the same time, we recognize the importance of flexibi