JOB DESCRIPTION
Statutory & FCO Compliance Manager / Executive
FCO Fertilizer Licensing Regulatory Affairs & Compliance
1. Position Details
Job Title: Statutory & Compliance Manager / Executive
Specialization: FCO, Fertilizer Licensing & Regulatory Compliance
Location: Corporate Office / Plant, Ahmedabad
Industry: Fertilizers / Agricultural Inputs
Reporting: Management / Functional Head
2. Job Purpose
To own and coordinate the Company’s statutory, licensing and regulatory compliance relating to fertilizer manufacturing, import, marketing, storage, distribution and sale, with primary responsibility for compliance under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 (FCO), applicable Central/State Government requirements and other relevant regulatory provisions.
The role will serve as the key coordination point between the Company and Government/Regulatory Authorities for licences, product registrations, approvals, renewals, amendments, inspections, submissions and regulatory correspondence.
The core objective is to ensure that no product, plant, licence or regulatory activity proceeds without the required approval, licence, documentation or statutory compliance.
3. Key ResponsibilitiesA. FCO & Fertilizer Regulatory Compliance
· Ensure compliance with applicable provisions of the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 and subsequent amendments, notifications, orders and circulars.
· Monitor regulatory changes affecting fertilizer specifications, standards, composition, packing, marking, labelling, licensing and sale.
· Verify that products manufactured, imported or marketed by the Company meet applicable prescribed specifications and regulatory requirements.
· Review regulatory requirements and documentation before the launch of any new fertilizer product or formulation.
· Coordinate with Production, QA/QC, R&D, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain and Plant teams to implement FCO requirements.
· Maintain regulatory records and evidence required under applicable fertilizer regulations.
B. Fertilizer Licences & Approvals
· Manage applications and regulatory processes for fertilizer manufacturing, import, marketing, storage and sale licences, as applicable.
· Coordinate licence renewals, amendments, modifications and other regulatory changes.
· Maintain a centralized Licence Master Register covering licence number, product/category, plant/location, issuing authority, issue date, expiry/renewal date, licence conditions and responsible person.
· Track licence validity and initiate renewals well in advance to prevent any lapse.
· Ensure plant-wise and state-wise licences and permissions remain current and compliant.
· Coordinate with State Agriculture Departments, licensing authorities and other competent authorities.
· Provide regulatory and licensing support for new plant commissioning, expansion and capacity enhancement.
C. Product Registration & Regulatory Dossiers
· Coordinate regulatory registration/approval of new fertilizer products, formulations and product categories.
· Prepare, review and maintain complete product-wise regulatory dossiers.
· Coordinate required technical/statutory documents, including product specifications, composition, manufacturing process, technical literature, laboratory/test reports, COAs, raw-material details, labels/artwork and packaging details.
· Work with QA/QC and R&D to ensure product documentation and specifications are accurate and compliant.
· Track approval status, respond to observations and ensure timely closure of pending regulatory matters.
D. Government & Regulatory Authority Coordination
· Coordinate and liaise with State Agriculture Departments, Central Government authorities, fertilizer regulatory/licensing authorities, Agriculture Officers, QC Inspectors and other competent statutory authorities.
· Coordinate regulatory inspections and visits at manufacturing plants and offices.
· Prepare and organize documents, records and submissions required for inspections.
· Coordinate responses to inspection observations, notices, queries and regulatory communications.
· Maintain an indexed record of government correspondence, submissions, notices and replies.
· Ensure statutory returns, statements and reports are submitted accurately and within prescribed timelines.
E. Plant & Operational Regulatory Compliance
· Coordinate with Plant Heads and functional teams to ensure compliance relating to manufacturing licences, product approvals, production and batch records, quality standards, stock records, labelling/packaging, storage, sampling/testing, dispatch documentation and statutory registers.
· Conduct periodic plant-level regulatory compliance reviews/audits.
· Identify gaps, assign corrective actions and follow up until closure.
· Ensure inspection readiness and availability of required records at all times.
F. Regulatory Documentation & Record Management
· Maintain an organized central repository of fertilizer licences, product registrations/approvals, state-wise permissions, plant-wise licences, government correspondence, inspection reports, compliance reports, test reports, COAs, product specifications, label/packaging approvals, renewal applications, submissions, notices and replies.
· Ensure all regulatory documents are properly indexed, version-controlled, traceable and readily available for audit or inspection.
· Maintain a regulatory master database covering products, licences, approvals, authorities, conditions, validity and pending actions.
G. Compliance Calendar, Audit & Risk Management
· Develop and maintain a Regulatory Compliance Calendar covering statutory due dates, licence renewals, submissions, inspections and other regulatory commitments.
· Conduct periodic internal regulatory compliance audits and reviews.
· Identify compliance gaps and prepare corrective/preventive action plans.
· Follow up with responsible departments and track actions through closure.
· Escalate critical non-compliance, regulatory risks, overdue approvals or potential violations to management immediately.
· Ensure zero lapse in critical licences, registrations and mandatory approvals.
H. New Product, Plant & Business Initiative Support
· Provide regulatory guidance for new fertilizer products, formulations, manufacturing processes, plants, plant expansions, capacity enhancements, new states/markets and new product categories.
· Review regulatory requirements at the planning stage of new initiatives and coordinate required approvals.
· Before commercial launch, verify that all mandatory licences, registrations, approvals and supporting documentation are in place.
I. Cross-Functional Coordination
Work closely with Production, QA/QC, R&D, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain, Dispatch, Purchase, Accounts & Finance, Legal, Plant Management and Corporate Affairs.
Provide regulatory guidance whenever any department proposes a new product, market, process, plant, licence-related activity or other business initiative having statutory implications.
4. Authority & Accountability
· Review regulatory documentation for accuracy, completeness and compliance before submission.
· Raise compliance concerns with concerned departments and require correction of incomplete or inaccurate information.
· Hold or recommend withholding regulatory submissions containing material errors or missing mandatory information.
· Recommend withholding commercial launch of products where mandatory approvals or licences are pending.
· Escalate potential regulatory violations and critical compliance risks to senior management.
· Coordinate directly with competent regulatory authorities as authorized by the Company.
· Be accountable for the accuracy, completeness and timely submission of regulatory documentation and for preventing operations or product marketing without required regulatory permissions.
5. Key Deliverables / MIS
Submit a Monthly Regulatory Compliance Report to management covering:
· Licence status and validity
· Upcoming renewals and statutory due dates
· New licence/approval applications
· Product registration and approval status
· Pending government approvals and observations
· Regulatory inspections and inspection status
· Notices received and replies submitted
· Compliance gaps and corrective actions
· Critical regulatory risks and escalations
· Action plan and priorities for the following month
6. Qualification & Experience
Essential:
· Graduate/Postgraduate in Agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural Chemistry, Chemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Fertilizer Technology, Law or Regulatory Compliance.
Preferred:
· Diploma/Certificate in Fertilizer Regulatory Affairs, FCO Compliance or Regulatory Affairs.
· Knowledge of fertilizer laws and agricultural-input regulations.
· Experience in fertilizer manufacturing or the agricultural-input industry.
· Strong agri-input regulatory/compliance background.
Experience: 2–5 years in fertilizer licensing, regulatory affairs, FCO compliance or agricultural-input compliance. Experience dealing with State Agriculture Departments and fertilizer licensing authorities is highly preferred.
7. Required Knowledge
· Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 and applicable amendments
· Fertilizer licensing procedures and regulatory submissions
· Fertilizer specifications and product approval/registration procedures
· Manufacturing licence and plant compliance requirements
· State-wise fertilizer regulatory requirements
· Product labelling, packing and packaging requirements
· Sampling and testing requirements
· Government inspections and regulatory correspondence
· Statutory documentation and compliance audits
· Organic fertilizers, bio-fertilizers, bio-stimulants, PROM, FOM, PDM, mycorrhiza and other specialty fertilizers will be an advantage
8. Key Skills
· Strong regulatory and compliance knowledge
· Government liaison and coordination
· Regulatory documentation and record management
· Legal/regulatory interpretation
· Compliance monitoring and audit
· Follow-up and deadline management
· Inspection handling
· Report and MIS preparation
· Strong written and verbal communication
· MS Office proficiency; SAP knowledge is an advantage
· High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple licences, products and states simultaneously
9. Behavioural Competencies
· High integrity and accountability
· Strong ownership and proactive follow-up
· Detail-oriented and process-driven approach
· Professional communication
· Confidence in dealing with Government and regulatory authorities
· Problem-solving mindset
· Ability to work within strict regulatory timelines
· Confidentiality and professional ethics
· Strong cross-functional coordination
10. Critical Success Factor
Right Product + Right Licence + Right Documentation + Right Compliance + Right Authority Approval = Regulatory-Compliant Business Operations.
The position will function as the single-point regulatory compliance owner for the Company’s fertilizer licensing and FCO-related matters, while working closely with Legal, QA/QC, Plant, R&D, Sales & Marketing, Supply Chain and Corporate Affairs.
Pay: ₹350,000.00 - ₹450,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
