Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2023 revenue of approximately $9.2 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA. For more information, visit www.eastman.com.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a Product Steward for our Care Chemicals Business. This full-time position, based in Kingsport (other regions or home office can be considered), will be part of the corporate Product Stewardship and Regulatory Affairs (PSRA) organization. As a Product Steward, you will provide global leadership for the Personal & Home Care market segments and other market segments of the Care Chemicals business (e.g. Pharma, Food Ingredients, Water Treatment). Your responsibilities include regulatory insights and understanding, business relationship management, project leadership, advocacy, and customer communication support.

1) Regulatory Insights and Understanding: • Collaborate closely with global regulatory functions and regional experts to stay updated on current and emerging regulations that impact the Care Chemicals market and product lines. • Ensure continued compliance in case of product or raw material classification changes, such as hazard classification, functional classification, food additive classification, etc. • Facilitate efficient development and commercialization of new products by considering regulatory requirements. • Monitor, assess, and communicate the impact of international and national regulations, as well as proposed regulations and classification changes relevant to the business organization.

2) Business Relationship Management: • Foster close relationships with the Care Chemicals business and technology personnel, Quality Managers, as well as Global Product Stewardship & Regulatory Affairs colleagues, Trade Associations, and/or NGOs. • Develop and document business-specific PSRA objectives and strategies aligned with the overall business strategy. • Ensure regular communication and alignment on priorities, needs, and actions with relevant stakeholders.

3) Project leadership: • Lead and facilitate third-party certifications and the implementation of strategy plans, and support global registrations. • Execute PSRA projects, ensuring progress, and support collecting the required documentation for registration/notification dossiers and other regulatory documents. • Develop clearly articulated and documented strategies based on business objectives.

4) Advocacy: • Initiate, drive, and support executing advocacy strategies to defend existing products and market access subject to developing legislation and influence the outcome of potential new legislation and regulatory trends. • Participate in industry sector groups and advocacy platform groups, as needed. • Assist in implementing advocacy strategies for emerging regulations or product defense.

5) Customer/value chain Inquiries and Communication: • Facilitate external communication of regulatory topics and answer specific regulatory questions for customers. • Develop clear customer communication strategies with the assigned business when regulatory changes impact existing products. • Represent Eastman as a regulatory expert in meetings with customers, suppliers, and end users/brand owners as required.

Qualifications

Strong candidates for this position should have many of the following skills or be willing to be trained in these areas. • Minimum of Bachelor's degree in a science-related field. • Ideally 5+ years of experience in Product Stewardship or Regulatory Affairs for cosmetics, personal care, or home (US or EU). Understanding regulatory requirements for food additives and pharmaceutical ingredients is a plus. • Proven track record in project management. • Excellent oral and written communication skills. • Ability to provide leadership to project teams. • Ability to work independently and gain knowledge of the entire Eastman Care Chemicals product portfolio.

Other Skills and Abilities: • Strong problem analysis and solution-oriented thinking. • Demonstrated bias for action and courageous decision-making. • Strong team player with excellent network and relationship building abilities. • Results-focused approach.

Details: The position is in the US, preferably in Kingsport, and reports to the Global Product Stewardship Regulatory Affairs (located in EU, Belgium). Other locations, including European countries, can be considered.

Eastman Chemical Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected classes as designated by law.

Eastman is committed to creating a powerfully diverse workforce and a broadly inclusive workplace, where everyone can contribute to their fullest potential each day.