Sophie – Regulatory Affairs Manager

 

Bayer CropScience is a leading company in the market for crop protection in agriculture and horticulture. After my studies to become a Bio-Engineer, I made a spontaneous application for a job at Bayer. During my studies, I had enjoyed a course in ‘Registration’ so much that I hoped to get a job in Regulatory Affairs. As it happened, Bayer was looking for an RA Manager because the previous RA Manager had moved up internally, and therefore I was invited for an interview.

 

I got the job and joined a team of motivated people, who form a close-knit group, in which everyone communicates openly with one another and where you soon feel at home. We often find a reason for going out for a drink and nibbles, or other events are organised through which we can get to know each other in more informal circumstances. It gives you the chance to learn more about your other colleagues, their responsibilities and functions.

 

Furthermore, Bayer is an organisation in which you can make suggestions regarding training. I followed a training course in Business Management, through which I gained a better insight into the way in which a company is organised, and learnt how to define my role better in this context.

 

A day in the life of...

 

As Regulatory Affairs Manager, you are responsible for the registration of products which are developed by Bayer and which we want to launch on the Belgian market. Before each product launch, an application must be submitted to the FPS Public Health, Safety, Food Chain and Environment. Within the RA department, I work together with fellow RA Managers. Each one is responsible for the registration of certain BCS products in Belgium.

 

I am basically responsible for putting together and following up the registration dossiers. These contain a description of the use of the product, selectivity and effectiveness tests and their results, as well as studies defining the toxicological and eco-toxicological characteristics of the products. I am the contact person if the government bodies have questions regarding the product dossier.

 

My position as Regulatory Affairs Manager evolves along with the changes in both the European as well as Belgian legislation. The legislation is always changing, as a result of which you are expected to continuously keep yourself up-to-date. Although when putting together a registration dossier, certain fixed topics must always be explained. The diversity of knowledge you need to have in order to do the job well (Biology, Agronomy, Toxicology (for humans and animals), Chemistry, legislation, ...) is fascinating.

 

In my job, I not only have regular contact with colleagues and Registration Managers in our main offices at Monheim and Lyon, but also with colleagues in the test fields in Belgium, in Marketing and with the sales people who receive questions from the customers.

 

A career at Bayer

 

I started working as an RA Manager at Bayer CropScience in January 2005. I worked together with my predecessor for three months, which gave me the chance to settle into my position. 

 

I am very satisfied with the content of my present job. Via the Performance Management Process, we receive an annual update about the direction in which we want to go with our division, and together with our direct manager we define certain objectives which are in line with those of the division. In addition to business objectives, personal objectives are also set forth and there is room to discuss your career goals. Based on these, training sessions are planned.