Job Description

When Alfred Fain founded a small Rhode Island tire store in 1924, at the time no one could have predicted how Teknor Apex would become an international custom compounder sought out by companies around the world. After a nearly hundred-year journey that’s carried us through acquisitions and expansion, we now have nine U.S. locations, as well as operations in Belgium, Singapore, Germany, and China.

Throughout this global expansion Teknor has remained a privately held company, and today Fain’s grandson sits at the helm, maintaining the family’s tradition of fostering deep employee and customer relationships. These relationships are what allow us—together—to deliver customized compound solutions and help our customer’s create better products.

“Manufacturing is a team sport, and we work together to achieve our goals.” ~Jon Fain

The Product Stewardship Associate is responsible for leading complex global product regulatory and stewardship programs in support of Teknor Apex businesses. This role bridges operational regulatory management and enterprise-level regulatory leadership by translating evolving global chemical and product regulations into actionable compliance strategies.

The Product Stewardship Associate serves as a senior technical resource and program leader for domestic and international regulatory requirements impacting Teknor Apex polymer compounds and finished goods across all divisions. The role includes global coordination (Americas, Europe, Asia), regulatory strategy development, risk assessment, and oversight of key regulatory systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead development and implementation of strategic regulatory compliance plans supporting Teknor Apex businesses domestically and internationally.
• Interpret evolving global chemical control, hazard communication, and end-use regulations and determine business impact.
• Develop regulatory strategies that enable innovation while maintaining compliance with emerging legal requirements.
• Conduct regulatory impact assessments and develop structured implementation plans for new or revised regulations.
• Serve as senior technical lead for chemical control regulations, specifically TSCA, CEPA, and REACH compliance oversight across all divisions and facilities.
• Provide advanced guidance on global GHS, SDS governance, and product data integrity.
• Oversee and continuously improve corporate product formula restriction programs in collaboration with Regulatory Affairs Manager and Product Regulatory Specialists.
• Act as escalation point for complex customer regulatory certifications and agency interactions (FDA, EPA, NSF, etc.).
• Coordinate regulatory discussions with counterparts in Europe and Asia to ensure harmonized approaches for exported products.
• Communicate regulatory risk and business implications to senior management with clear recommendations.
• Negotiates and communicates with outside groups including domestic and foreign, Federal, State and Local officials, consultants and other groups

Program & Systems Leadership

• Develop and enhance Regulatory Affairs policies, SOPs, and governance programs to ensure consistency across divisions.
• Support internal process effectiveness and regulatory system optimization (SDS tools, regulatory databases, ERP/M3 product data architecture).
• Lead regulatory training initiatives for internal stakeholders and external customers.
• Partner with manufacturing and quality teams to prepare for regulatory inspections and audits.
• Represent Teknor Apex in trade associations and industry working groups as delegated.

Leadership & Organizational Scope

• Act as senior subject matter expert in North American and global product regulations including TSCA, FDA food contact, medical device, pharmaceutical packaging, pesticide, and other applicable frameworks.
• Provide mentorship and technical leadership to Regulatory Affairs Manager and Product Regulatory Specialists.
• Lead cross-functional teams on regulatory initiatives impacting multiple business units.
• Manage high-level regulatory projects without full departmental managerial or budget authority.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirement

• Four-year degree in chemistry, toxicology, engineering, biology, or related scientific discipline.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• 8-10 years of progressive experience in product stewardship, chemical regulations, or regulatory affairs within polymer, chemical, or materials industries.
• Strong knowledge of global regulatory systems, risk management, and chemical notification/registration requirements.
• Experience working with FDA, EPA, NSF, or equivalent regulatory agencies preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to develop compliance strategies for new or revised regulations.
• Experience with ERP systems (M3 preferred) and regulatory databases including compliance algorithms.
• Strong analytic, strategic, and cross-functional leadership skills.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
• Ability to perform duties under specific time requirements
• Ability to adapt to changing duties and responsibilities
• Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on telephone
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 15 lbs