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Environmental Regulatory Compliance Manager

Roche • Switzerland • Added on Aug 6, 2026
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This role centers on translating complex global environmental legislation into a concrete compliance framework for a vast medical diagnostics portfolio. You will own the technical evaluation of evolving regulations, identifying risks early to define a strategic roadmap that ensures every product remains market-ready and legally sound. By standardizing assessment processes across the division, you move beyond simple box-ticking to build a resilient, auditable system for long-term product stewardship.

The work is vital because it directly impacts the lifecycle of life-saving medical technologies. By navigating the intricacies of REACH, PFAS, and Biocides, you ensure that innovation does not come at the cost of environmental safety or regulatory disruption. Your expertise protects the company’s ability to deliver critical diagnostic tests to millions of patients while upholding rigorous ecological standards.

This suits someone who possesses a scientist’s eye for detail and a strategist’s ability to manage multi-layered projects. You should be comfortable interpreting legal texts and communicating their business implications to senior leadership.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core of this role involves leading the technical implementation of environmental regulations across the Diagnostics division. You will be responsible for conducting detailed regulatory assessments, providing auditable interpretations of legal texts, and designing mitigation strategies to address identified risks early in the product lifecycle. Beyond technical evaluation, you will define a strategic compliance roadmap to future-proof the portfolio against upcoming legislative trends. This includes harmonizing assessment frameworks to ensure a repeatable, global approach to compliance and reporting progress through key performance indicators to senior management.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep expertise in the practical application of major environmental frameworks such as REACH, RoHS, and emerging PFAS regulations within a highly regulated healthcare context. This provides a rare opportunity to see how global policy shifts directly influence R&D and supply chain decisions in a multi-billion dollar enterprise. Furthermore, the role offers exposure to complex program management methodologies, including both Agile and Waterfall. You will develop specialized skills in using industry-standard software like SAP EHS-M, while sharpening your ability to translate scientific data into executive-level business intelligence.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal profile is a scientist-turned-regulator who feels equally at home in a technical lab environment and a corporate boardroom. You should possess a strong background in product stewardship or environmental compliance, specifically within the chemicals or life sciences industries. Technical proficiency in risk assessment and portfolio management is essential, alongside the ability to navigate matrixed organizational structures. Fluency in English is required, and a working knowledge of SAP EHS systems or formal project management certifications will significantly strengthen an application.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, demonstrate your ability to go beyond simply identifying regulations by showing how you have designed actionable frameworks in the past. Highlight specific instances where your regulatory interpretation prevented a business disruption or optimized a product’s environmental profile. Your application should reflect a balance of technical rigor and strategic thinking. Mention your familiarity with the specific challenges of the diagnostics or medical device industry, particularly regarding hazardous substance management and global market access requirements.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is a cornerstone of Roche's product stewardship efforts, ensuring that the chemical components of diagnostic tools meet the highest safety and environmental standards. It focuses heavily on the 'G' (Governance) and 'E' (Environmental) aspects of ESG by maintaining strict legal integrity and reducing chemical risks. By managing regulations like the Biocidal Products Regulation and REACH, the role ensures that Roche maintains its status as a sustainability leader in the pharmaceutical sector. You will likely work on projects related to the elimination of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) and the transition to safer alternatives.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary hurdles will be the rapidly shifting legislative landscape, where different regions may adopt conflicting requirements for the same chemical substances. You must find ways to harmonize these global demands into a single, cohesive internal strategy. Additionally, you may face the challenge of influencing cross-functional teams who may view compliance as a hurdle rather than a strategic advantage. Success requires effectively communicating the value of early risk mitigation to stakeholders in R&D, manufacturing, and procurement.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a technical review of a new regulatory draft to determine its impact on specific diagnostic assays or instruments. You would then meet with project teams to integrate these findings into their development timelines, ensuring that compliance is built-in from the start. Afternoons are often spent in strategic coordination meetings with senior leadership or global internal stakeholders to report on compliance KPIs. You might also dedicate time to refining the standardized assessment framework or troubleshooting data integration issues within the SAP EHS-M system.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This position offers a high-visibility platform to influence the global diagnostics strategy, potentially leading to more senior roles in Global Regulatory Affairs or Corporate Sustainability. As the company continues to integrate ESG into its core operations, experts who understand the intersection of law and science are in high demand. You may also have the opportunity to lead high-impact projects that redefine how the organization approaches product lifecycles, providing a path toward executive leadership in Product Stewardship or Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with Senior Leadership within the Diagnostics division to provide strategic counsel on regulatory risks and portfolio health. These interactions are critical for ensuring that compliance remains a top-tier business priority. Other key partners include R&D scientists, supply chain managers, and quality assurance teams who rely on your interpretations to execute their work. You will also serve as a primary point of contact for external regulatory authorities during audits or technical inquiries.

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