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Join Us in Shaping the Future of Regulatory Services.

knoell is one of the leading global service providers in regulatory registration, clinical development, and product development support. As a family-owned business, we take pride in our commitment to the highest standards and believe that people are at the heart of our success. With our team of scientific and regulatory experts and an extensive network of partners, we ensure reliable solutions that address our clients' global business needs right from the start.

At knoell, we are guided by our core values of commitment, reliability, excellence and diversity. Are you someone who thrives in a collaborative environment? Do you take pride in delivering high-quality results and upholding excellence in everything you do? At knoell, we are passionate about embracing diverse perspectives, knowing that this fuels innovation and strengthens our impact. If you're ready to be part of a team that values these principles, we want to hear from you!

Think Globally. Act Locally.

OVERVIEW

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Regulatory Leader to manage and oversee regulatory strategies for both Crop Protection and Chemicals product categories within the Japanese market and across the Asia-Pacific region. The ideal candidate will combine a deep technical understanding of plant protection product registration (e.g., under Japan’s Agricultural Chemicals Regulation Law) and chemical regulatory frameworks (e.g., CSCL Japanese GHS/ISHL requirements) with strong project management, client advisory, and team mentoring expertise.

YOUR ROLE

  • Manage and coordinate complex regulatory projects for agricultural chemicals in Japan, including post-submission support and authority interactions.
  • Develop and implement registration strategies for Crop Protection and Chemicals products, collaborating with technical teams and clients.
  • Lead communication with Japanese regulatory authorities (e.g., MAFF, NITE, MHLW) and international agencies.
  • Mentor junior regulatory staff, ensuring quality and compliance across the team.
  • Monitor and share emerging regulatory developments in Japan and APAC related to Crop Protection and Chemicals.
  • Prepare, review, and submit regulatory application documents in accordance with Japanese and international standards.
  • Lead client discussions for large, multi-year projects, including proposal development and contract alignment.
  • Maintain and expand knoell’s network of local partners and consultants in Japan to facilitate efficient in-country registrations.
  • Act as a subject matter expert for Japanese regulatory requirements within the global knoell community.
  • Identify unmet client needs and recommend new services or solutions to improve client retention.
  • Collaborate with global partners and internal teams (e.g., Dossier Services, Legal) to facilitate cross-border submissions.
  • Support business development through industry events, conferences, and client meetings in Japan.
  • Contribute to marketing materials and technical publications to raise knoell’s visibility in Japan.
  • Participate in capacity planning and resource allocation for the Asia-Pacific regulatory team.
  • Ensure adherence to knoell’s quality, documentation, and signature authority policies.

YOUR PROFILE

  • Master’s or PhD in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Agricultural Sciences, Toxicology, or related field.
  • 7+ years in regulatory affairs, including 3–5 years in Crop Protection and 3+ years in Chemicals. Proven track record of managing complex, multi-jurisdictional regulatory projects.
  • In-depth knowledge of Japanese pesticide and industrial chemicals regulations (Agricultural Chemicals Regulation Law, CSCL, GHS/ISHL). Direct experience with Japanese authorities (MAFF, NITE, MHLW).
  • Certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) or substantial experience managing client projects from start to finish.
  • Strong coaching and mentoring skills, with a focus on developing junior team members.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, regulatory systems (IUCLID, CADDY, Veeva).
  • Fluent in Japanese (native or equivalent) and excellent English communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills, problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to regulatory challenges. Strong interpersonal skills, ability to collaborate across global teams, and a customer-centric mindset.

WHAT WE OFFER

  • Work in a dynamic family-owned business environment with an international team in which new ideas, creative approaches, and collaboration are valued.
  • You will have the opportunity to work with market leaders in our industry.
  • Development is core, and at knoell we offer various opportunities to support your personal, leadership and technical development, including English language courses to help you effectively communicate in our business language.
  • knoell offers a flexible working policy and is a remote-first company, where you have the flexibility to work from home, at our headquarters in Mannheim or at one of our local offices based in your location. 
  • Part-time work options are generally supported on request subject to meeting business requirements.
  •  It is important to us that you have both a career and personal life – we celebrate the work-life balance of our colleagues.
  • At knoell we have a global employee referral program as part of the recruitment process where you can actively participate and get rewarded for referring talent to knoell.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at application@knoell.com. If you're looking to join a global leader in regulatory and clinical services, where you can make a real impact and contribute to a team that values your contributions, then knoell is the place for you.

We look forward to receiving your application!