Product Stewardship & Regulatory Specialist

Product Stewardship & Regulatory Specialist

Job Title:

Product Stewardship & Regulatory Specialist

About the role:

As a Product Stewardship & Regulatory Specialist, you will join SME’s Product Stewardship team, supporting a diverse portfolio of projects involving chemical safety and regulatory compliance for food packaging, and food contact materials, and packaging sustainability. You will work closely with senior technical staff while developing expertise in global chemical and materials regulations. This role offers an exceptional professional development opportunity, with a clear path toward becoming an independent technical lead in SME’s Product Stewardship program.

This position may be based at our Park Ridge, IL office (greater Chicago area) or arranged as remote or hybrid.

• Manage client projects in the chemical, food contact materials, and food packaging industries
• Conduct regulatory compliance assessments for food contact materials and food packaging for global markets including the U.S., EU, South America, China, Japan, and others
• Monitor global, U.S. federal, and state-level regulatory developments and provide clients with timely updates
• Support analytical testing by obtaining quotes from third‑party laboratories, coordinating test work, interpreting testing results, and preparing client‑ready reports
• Conduct literature reviews on scientific or regulatory topics relevant to client needs
• Collaborate directly with clients to understand project requirements, respond promptly to requests, and provide consistent, high‑quality support
• Work with clients’ supply chain partners to obtain required regulatory and product documentation for review
• Engage with multidisciplinary SME staff and external stakeholders to maintain strong professional relationships

• B.S. degree or higher in chemistry or a related scientific discipline
• Experience in chemical, materials, or consumer product industries related to chemical safety, regulatory compliance, or testing (preferred)
• Ability to rapidly learn new regulatory and technical information
• Strong literature research skills and excellent attention to detail
• Solid understanding of analytical chemistry, chemicals, and materials
• Demonstrated organizational and project management skills, including ability to manage tasks on schedule and within budget
• Enjoys problem‑solving and teamwork in a collaborative environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, technical report writing, data interpretation, and preparation of technical documentation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to work closely with clients, regulatory agencies, and internal teams
• 100% company‑paid medical, life, and long‑term and short‑term disability insurance
• Annual contributions to the enrolled employee’s Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid vacation and sick time, plus 9 paid holidays per year
• Performance based year‑end bonuses
• Retirement plan comprising three components:
  • 401(k) plan with generous matching contribution
  • Profit sharing
  • Non‑discretionary 3% of gross pay contribution

• Work‑life balance and flexible working hours
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• Intraoffice groups, including hiking, hockey, and running
• Community involvement such as volunteer days and an SME sponsored road race team, and
• Fall golf event, food truck days, cornhole tournaments, chili cookoff competition and more!