International Fresh Produce Association
Vice President, Food Safety & Regulatory Affairs
International Fresh Produce Association, Washington, District Of Columbia, United States
Position Summary
The Vice President of Food Safety Regulatory Affairs leads IFPA's global efforts to shape food safety and regulatory policy through strategic engagement with international and U.S. stakeholders. The VP serves as a key liaison to U.S. regulatory and food safety agencies, specifically the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, USDA Food and Inspection Service and Environmental Protection Agency and to Capitol Hill, advocating for practical, risk-based policies that protect public health without imposing undue burdens on industry. This role also focuses on building and strengthening relationships with global and regional regulatory and standard-setting bodies‑such as Codex Alimentarius, and other priority institutions identified through IFPA's Global Advocacy and Policy Strategy to promote harmonized, science-based standards that support the fresh produce industry. The VP also serves as a key liaison to U.S. regulatory agencies, specifically the U.S. FDA, and to Capitol Hill, advocating for practical, risk-based policies that protect public health without imposing undue burdens on industry. This individual will nurture relationships with the U.S. FDA and cultivate partnerships across priority markets, as identified in Global Advocacy and Policy Strategy, and intergovernmental organizations, ensuring IFPA's leadership in global food safety dialogue and regulatory alignment. The VP will also support member needs through technical expertise, resource development, and strategic collaboration with internal teams and external coalitions. The incumbent will be a registered lobbyist.
Position Responsibilities
Leadership and Advocacy – 40%
Serve as IFPA's primary liaison to U.S. regulatory and food safety agencies, including FDA, CDC, and FSIS, and engage with Capitol Hill to advocate for science-based, risk-appropriate policies.
Serve as liaison to EPA for food safety issues, in coordination with the Director, Production & Environmental Policy.
Lead IFPA's global effort for harmonizing food safety standards and regulatory compliance, aligned with Global Advocacy and Policy Strategy priorities.
Partner with Global Insights, Science & Technology teams and country managers to identify and implement strategic goals for global food safety standards and regulatory compliance.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with key international and regional standard-setting bodies (e.g., Codex Alimentarius, EU regulatory entities, United Nations entities, etc.).
Conduct horizon scanning on current and anticipated regulatory issues in the U.S. and internationally to drive the development of a global regulatory priorities for food safety.
Enhance the visibility of the association's global produce safety resources and initiatives through partnerships and collaboration with other associations, coalitions, alliances, regulatory and government agencies.
Represent IFPA and the global produce industry in international forums, regulatory meetings, and invited talks.
Cultivate and maintain a network of expert representatives from key international and U.S. regulatory bodies, intergovernmental organizations, and other subject matter experts in related roles for support with domestic and international food safety and regulatory issues.
Serve as the subject matter expert on FSMA (including Traceability Rule) and a resource to the regulators and stakeholders.
Global Food Safety Standard Development – 35%
Persuasively argue the global produce industry perspective at meetings in priority regions (e.g. U.S., EU, etc) impacting produce standards and regulations to support the adoption of risk-based and risk-appropriate standards firmly rooted in science and prevent non-tariff trade barriers.
Play an active role in Consumer Goods Forum, Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and other industry focused forums, ensuring that produce safety audits and requirements are held to an appropriate standard relative to manufactured foods to protect public health without causing undue burden on the industry.
Serve as the global produce representative within Codex Alimentarius and keep members abreast of Codex developments that impact their businesses.
Draft and coordinate comments and other inputs on proposed food safety standards and regulatory frameworks issued by U.S. agencies (e.g., FDA) and international standard-setting bodies (e.g., Codex Alimentarius), ensuring alignment with IFPA's science-based advocacy priorities and member interests.
Membership Support & Regulatory Compliance – 25%
Serve as internal and member support on food safety and other regulatory compliance issues such as FSMA (including Traceability Rule), product labeling, pesticide residues (e.g., maximum residue limits, consumptive risks), heavy metals, and biotechnology.
Work with Vice President, Food Safety and Quality within the Science and Technology team to translate emerging issues, regulatory developments into member-facing content, guidance documents, and programs around food safety standards and regulatory compliance, market access, etc.
Serve as the association's contact and steward of regulatory collaboration efforts with WGA, CPMA, FMI, NASDA and other associations and coalitions working to advocate on food safety and standards development and harmonization in support of produce safety.
Lead member workgroups and other stakeholders in preparing comments on regulatory proposals and draft regulations.
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Bachelor (or comparable) degree in microbiology, public health, food science, agriculture or related scientific field required. Master of Science (or comparable) degree or higher in listed disciplines preferred. Experience in domestic and / or international agriculture, science policy, and / or regulatory affairs are a plus.
Strong technical acumen in microbiology and food science strongly preferred.
At least 7 years' experience in a technical food safety or regulatory affairs role; experience with supervisory and managerial responsibilities is a plus but not required.
Experience establishing common ground and achieving consensus within diverse groups of stakeholders.
Familiarity and experience with voluntary produce safety standards and governmental food regulations in the U.S. (food safety, labeling) is required; familiarity with government food regulations internationally is preferred.
Able to translate complex and technical topics into relevant, actionable information in both written and oral form.
Measures for Success
IFPA is recognized as a credible and influential voice in U.S. and international food safety policy discussions.
IFPA's positions are reflected in regulatory proposals and final standards, particularly in priority markets and forums (e.g., FDA, Codex, GFSI).
Strong relationships are maintained with key U.S. agencies (FDA, CDC, etc) and Capitol Hill, resulting in timely engagement and policy responsiveness.
IFPA is represented in global and regional standard-setting bodies, with produce-specific concerns effectively advocated.
IFPA members are kept informed of relevant Codex and GFSI developments, and member feedback is incorporated into global policy positions.
Comments and inputs submitted to regulatory bodies are timely, technically sound, and aligned with IFPA's science-based priorities.
Must be resourceful, able to tap into networks as needed to provide timely support of member questions and competing demands from staff and industry members.
Growing recognition by membership of the association's role in the international regulatory arena.
Travel Business-related travel, including international travel, is required on average 10 times per year.
Work Environment & Location Requirement This position is primarily remote but requires the candidate to be based in Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. Candidates must be available to commute to the D.C. office, U.S. federal agencies, and Capitol Hill as needed.
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Position Responsibilities
Leadership and Advocacy – 40%
Serve as IFPA's primary liaison to U.S. regulatory and food safety agencies, including FDA, CDC, and FSIS, and engage with Capitol Hill to advocate for science-based, risk-appropriate policies.
Serve as liaison to EPA for food safety issues, in coordination with the Director, Production & Environmental Policy.
Lead IFPA's global effort for harmonizing food safety standards and regulatory compliance, aligned with Global Advocacy and Policy Strategy priorities.
Partner with Global Insights, Science & Technology teams and country managers to identify and implement strategic goals for global food safety standards and regulatory compliance.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with key international and regional standard-setting bodies (e.g., Codex Alimentarius, EU regulatory entities, United Nations entities, etc.).
Conduct horizon scanning on current and anticipated regulatory issues in the U.S. and internationally to drive the development of a global regulatory priorities for food safety.
Enhance the visibility of the association's global produce safety resources and initiatives through partnerships and collaboration with other associations, coalitions, alliances, regulatory and government agencies.
Represent IFPA and the global produce industry in international forums, regulatory meetings, and invited talks.
Cultivate and maintain a network of expert representatives from key international and U.S. regulatory bodies, intergovernmental organizations, and other subject matter experts in related roles for support with domestic and international food safety and regulatory issues.
Serve as the subject matter expert on FSMA (including Traceability Rule) and a resource to the regulators and stakeholders.
Global Food Safety Standard Development – 35%
Persuasively argue the global produce industry perspective at meetings in priority regions (e.g. U.S., EU, etc) impacting produce standards and regulations to support the adoption of risk-based and risk-appropriate standards firmly rooted in science and prevent non-tariff trade barriers.
Play an active role in Consumer Goods Forum, Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and other industry focused forums, ensuring that produce safety audits and requirements are held to an appropriate standard relative to manufactured foods to protect public health without causing undue burden on the industry.
Serve as the global produce representative within Codex Alimentarius and keep members abreast of Codex developments that impact their businesses.
Draft and coordinate comments and other inputs on proposed food safety standards and regulatory frameworks issued by U.S. agencies (e.g., FDA) and international standard-setting bodies (e.g., Codex Alimentarius), ensuring alignment with IFPA's science-based advocacy priorities and member interests.
Membership Support & Regulatory Compliance – 25%
Serve as internal and member support on food safety and other regulatory compliance issues such as FSMA (including Traceability Rule), product labeling, pesticide residues (e.g., maximum residue limits, consumptive risks), heavy metals, and biotechnology.
Work with Vice President, Food Safety and Quality within the Science and Technology team to translate emerging issues, regulatory developments into member-facing content, guidance documents, and programs around food safety standards and regulatory compliance, market access, etc.
Serve as the association's contact and steward of regulatory collaboration efforts with WGA, CPMA, FMI, NASDA and other associations and coalitions working to advocate on food safety and standards development and harmonization in support of produce safety.
Lead member workgroups and other stakeholders in preparing comments on regulatory proposals and draft regulations.
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Bachelor (or comparable) degree in microbiology, public health, food science, agriculture or related scientific field required. Master of Science (or comparable) degree or higher in listed disciplines preferred. Experience in domestic and / or international agriculture, science policy, and / or regulatory affairs are a plus.
Strong technical acumen in microbiology and food science strongly preferred.
At least 7 years' experience in a technical food safety or regulatory affairs role; experience with supervisory and managerial responsibilities is a plus but not required.
Experience establishing common ground and achieving consensus within diverse groups of stakeholders.
Familiarity and experience with voluntary produce safety standards and governmental food regulations in the U.S. (food safety, labeling) is required; familiarity with government food regulations internationally is preferred.
Able to translate complex and technical topics into relevant, actionable information in both written and oral form.
Measures for Success
IFPA is recognized as a credible and influential voice in U.S. and international food safety policy discussions.
IFPA's positions are reflected in regulatory proposals and final standards, particularly in priority markets and forums (e.g., FDA, Codex, GFSI).
Strong relationships are maintained with key U.S. agencies (FDA, CDC, etc) and Capitol Hill, resulting in timely engagement and policy responsiveness.
IFPA is represented in global and regional standard-setting bodies, with produce-specific concerns effectively advocated.
IFPA members are kept informed of relevant Codex and GFSI developments, and member feedback is incorporated into global policy positions.
Comments and inputs submitted to regulatory bodies are timely, technically sound, and aligned with IFPA's science-based priorities.
Must be resourceful, able to tap into networks as needed to provide timely support of member questions and competing demands from staff and industry members.
Growing recognition by membership of the association's role in the international regulatory arena.
Travel Business-related travel, including international travel, is required on average 10 times per year.
Work Environment & Location Requirement This position is primarily remote but requires the candidate to be based in Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. Candidates must be available to commute to the D.C. office, U.S. federal agencies, and Capitol Hill as needed.
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