Role Summary: This person will own the company's relationships with government bodies, regulators, local authorities, and industry forums—with particular depth across Mumbai, Bhiwandi, and the wider Maharashtra region. They will protect and advance the company's interests by anticipating policy and regulatory developments, smoothing operational approvals, and building the company's reputation as a responsible, clean-label brand. Key Responsibilities: Government & Regulatory Relations ● Build and maintain working relationships with state and local government bodies, including FDA Maharashtra, FSSAI, MIDC, municipal corporations (BMC, Bhiwandi), GST/excise authorities, and pollution control boards. ● Manage licensing, approvals, inspections, and compliance matters for manufacturing and warehousing operations, especially in the Bhiwandi area. ● Track policy, food-safety regulation, and labelling-norm changes that affect clean-label products, and advise leadership on impact and response. Stakeholder & Community Engagement ● Serve as the company's representative with local authorities, civic bodies, police, labour offices, and community leaders around our Bhiwandi and Maharashtra sites. ● Manage industry association memberships (e.g., CII, FICCI, food-processing bodies) and represent the company in relevant forums. ● Lead CSR initiatives and community-relations programs that strengthen the company's local standing. Public Affairs & Reputation ● Support corporate communications, media relations, and crisis management as needed. ● Position the brand's clean-label and sustainability story with external stakeholders. Operational Support ● Resolve on-ground operational bottlenecks (permits, utilities, transport, local clearances) through established relationships. ● Coordinate cross-functionally with legal, supply chain, plant, and leadership teams. Required Qualifications & Experience ● 8–12 years in corporate affairs, government relations, public affairs, or regulatory affairs, preferably in FMCG, food, or manufacturing. ● A strong, demonstrable network across Maharashtra government and regulatory ecosystems, with specific relationships in Mumbai and Bhiwandi. ● Deep familiarity with FSSAI / FDA Maharashtra processes and food-sector compliance. ● Bachelor's degree required; MBA, law, or public policy qualification preferred. ● Fluency in Marathi, Hindi, and English (Marathi strongly preferred given the local interface). Key Competencies ● Relationship-building and negotiation skills with a high degree of integrity. ● Sound judgment in sensitive, ambiguous situations. ● Ability to translate regulatory complexity into clear business guidance. ● Comfort operating both in boardrooms and at plant/warehouse