The Product Steward is a key link between Eastman’s Chemicals Strategic Business Units (SBUs) and the larger global Product Stewardship - Regulatory Affairs (PSRA) organization. The successful candidate is responsible for developing /maintaining relationships with the SBUs Product, Marketing, and Technology teams, and providing them with comprehensive regulatory support, insights, threats/opportunities, and recommendations. The role involves a deep understanding of the market segments and Eastman’s product offerings and a hands-on approach to identify and obtain the necessary registrations, third-party certifications, and other regulatory clearances required to enable continued/extended market access for existing products and new product launches in the business strategies.
The preferred location for this position is one of the Eastman locations within Europe but open to fully remote for the right applicant.
Responsibilities• Regulatory Insights: Work closely with global regulatory functions and regional experts to understand current and changing / emerging regulations impacting the SBUs markets and product lines in order to:
o Enable continued compliance in case the classification of a product, raw material and/or additive is changing
o Ensure efficient development and commercialization of new products
o Ensure efficient development and filing of registrations, clearances, and petitions
o Provide relevant content for regulatory inquiries, dossiers and notifications
• Business Relationship Management: Build close relationships with the SBUs representatives, the business and technology personnel, which includes clear lines of communication with Product, Marketing and Technology Managers for the SBUs product lines in order to:
o Develop and document business specific PSRA objectives and strategies in line with SBUs strategy
o Ensure alignment and regular communication on agreed needs, priorities and actions
o Pro-actively investigate and communicate the regulatory risks and opportunities to the SBUs.
• Project management and execution: Develop and facilitate global registrations, product regulatory clearances, third-party certifications and implementation of strategy plans by working closely with SBUs Product, Marketing and Technology Managers, Global Regulatory Experts (FDDC, ICCL, Sustainability/Circularity/Biodegradability) and Regional PSRA Personnel, as appropriate. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
o Support SBUs Stage Gate project portfolio as team member and resource, ensuring early and consistent engagement during product/offer development to ensure that the Regulatory considerations are appropriately considered
o Identifying actions across the different SBUs and PSRA functions, creating timelines and estimating project costs
o Executing PSRA projects, ensuring progress and providing support in the preparation of required dossiers, notifications and other regulatory documents
o Compiling information to develop regulatory documentation
o Communicating routine updates for each project
• Advocacy: Initiate, drive and execute advocacy strategies to defend existing products and market access subject to developing legislation, and influence the outcome of potential new legislation and regulatory trends.
o Cooperation with Governmental Relations
o Develop / extend an external network of relevant project and subject matter experts such as consultants
o Participation in Industry sector groups and other advocacy platform groups
o Help develop and implement advocacy strategies for emerging regulations or product defense, as necessary
• Customer/value chain Inquiries and Communication: Facilitate external communication of regulatory topics through:
o Creation and distribution of responses to customer inquiries related to the safety-in-use of Eastman products
o Develop clear customer communication strategies with the assigned business when regulatory changes impact existing products
o Respond to inquiries and decisions of Authorities and Public Consultations
o Represent Eastman as regulatory expert in Customer, Supplier and End User / Brand Owner meetings
• Minimum of Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, polymer science, or related technical degree required
• 3+ years of experience in PSRA preferred
• Technical experience in polymers preferred
• Proven track record in project management
• Strong communicator both written and oral
• Fluent in English both written and oral
• Fluent in language of region
• Demonstrated bias for action
• Courageous decision making
• Strong team player who is not afraid to ask for help
• Results focused