Descripción
**Head of Toxicology Group - Regulatory Affairs**
Location: Kaiseraugst or Geneva in Switzerland or Delft in The Netherlands.
Strategic and scientific thought leadership of the Toxicology Group within Regulatory Affairs/Science & Research of dsm-firmenich. This role ensures product, environmental and human safety, scientific advancement, exceptional customer engagement and strong support to Science & Research and Business Units on innovation as well as business continuity, thereby delivering a clear competitive advantage and contributing to business growth and reputation.
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**Your key responsibilities:**
**Strategic leadership:**
* Provide toxicology thought leadership and develop/implement the global toxicology strategy in alignment with Science & Research, Business units and regulatory objectives. Serve as the primary toxicology expert for executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
* Contribute to the success of Regulatory Affairs as a member of its leadership team.
**Scientific leadership:**
* Lead risk assessment, management and mitigation strategies for innovation projects and existing products.
* Ensure scientific rigor and regulatory compliance in all safety assessments.
* Maintain awareness of emerging trends in scientific developments in toxicology; enhance scientific advancement with publications in peer-reviewed journals, share knowledge internally and externally.
**Regulatory support:**
* Responsible for overall safety testing strategies and their compliance with regulatory requirements.
**Team & Budget Management:**
* Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of toxicologists and safety scientists. Ensure strong scientific expertise and capabilities. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
* Responsible for the Group Toxicology budget and resource management to secure proper allocation according to business unit priorities and needs.
**External Engagement:**
* Represent the company in key strategic meetings with regulatory authorities, customers, in external scientific committees, and registration consortia.
* Strategically build and maintain external and internal scientific networks (e.g., regulatory bodies, institutions, national & international toxicological societies), leverage external KOL with specific toxicological expertise and knowledge.
This role requires strong influential & managerial skills in contact with senior leadership and stakeholders in Science & Research, business units, Group Regulatory Affairs Leadership and Business Partnering; Position is also required to develop/manage relationships with customers and other external bodies like scientific associations and governmental authorities.
**We offer:**
* A space to grow by encouraging and supporting curiosity and an open mindset
* A culture that prioritizes safety and well-being, both physically and mentally
* Barrier-free communities within our organization where every employee is equally valued and respected - regardless of their background, beliefs, or identity
* A firm belief that working together with our stakeholders and suppliers is the key to achieving great things
* An eagerness to be one team and learn from each other to bring progress to life and create a better future.
**You bring:**
* Extensive experience in a variety of senior roles pertaining to Toxicology, Regulatory and Compliance, with a global scope, ideally in similar industries whether on sector or customer side. Well-connected in the industry.
* Educational level: at least MS in toxicology or PhD and 15+ years- experience. Certification as toxicologist (ERT or DABT).
* Exceptional people leadership skills. Inspires, Influences and motivates others to perform, also in a matrix organization and people who do not directly report into the role. Provides and accepts feedback from others.
* Deep Business Acumen: Can enhance the competitive advantage that Regulatory brings.
* Transformational & progressive leader. Understands, and masters change management, understands and drives technology and automation for change. Fast learner & hands on driving simplicity and efficiency, politically savvy.
* Determination, especially in a transforming environment. Continuously looks for ways to improve & promote scientific and regulatory innovation and to simplify to gain efficiencies.
* Ability to communicate effectively at all levels and present complex and/or new ideas with clarity and simplicity
* Strategic thinking: Makes sense of complex data, trends and dynamics on a continually evolving basis, understands and anticipates potential impact these may have, and uses them to shape the direction of the business
* Delivering Results: Drives for improvement of business results and higher level of performance
* Influencing Collaboratively: Works effectively with peers, partners, and others who are not in the line of command
* Leading & Developing Teams: Focuses, aligns, and builds effective groups and develops long-term capabilities of others in the organization, and find satisfaction in influencing someone-s life or career
**About dsm-firmenich**
At dsm-firmenich, we don-t just meet expectations - we go beyond them.
Join our global team powered by science, creativity, and a shared purpose: to bring progress to life.
From elevating health to making fortified food and sustainable skincare, the impact of your work here will be felt by millions - every single day. Whether it-s fragrance that helps you focus, alternative meat that-s better for the planet, or reducing sugar without losing flavor, this is where you help shape the future of nutrition, health, and beauty for everyone, everywhere.
And while you-re making a difference, we-ll make sure you-re growing too. With learning that never stops, a culture that lifts you up and the freedom to move across businesses, teams, and borders. Your voice matters here. And your ideas? They-re essential to our future.
Because real progress only happens when we go beyond, together.
**Inclusion, belonging and equal opportunity statement**
At dsm-firmenich, we believe being a force for good starts with the way we treat each other. When people feel supported, included, and free to be themselves, they do their best work - and that-s exactly the kind of culture we-re building. A place where opportunity is truly equal, authenticity is celebrated, and everyone has the chance to grow, contribute, and feel they belong.
We-re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we-re serious about making our hiring process as fair and inclusive as possible. From inclusive language and diverse interview panels to thoughtful sourcing, we-re committed to reflecting the world we serve.
We welcome candidates from all backgrounds - no matter your gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or anything else that makes you, you.
And if you have a disability or need any support through the application process, we-re here to help - just let us know what you need, and we-ll do everything we can to make it work.