Anna Fornalska
Nutritionist
Sochaczew
Summary
Dynamic regulatory affairs leader with a proven track record at Danone, excelling in compliance and strategic planning. Expert in food law regulations and crisis management, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving and communication skills. Successfully fostered team development and enhanced operational efficiency, ensuring robust partnerships and regulatory compliance across multiple markets.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Regulatory Affairs, SNU PL
Danone Sp. z o.o.
10.2019 - Current
- Leadership and Team Development: Led a team of regulatory managers, fostering a positive work environment and achieving high employee satisfaction, as measured in DPS 2022 and 2024. Maximized efficiency by coaching and mentoring team members on business understanding, management principles, company procedures, and legal requirements.
- Employee Development: Established comprehensive employee development programs to enhance knowledge and skills, ensuring strong partnerships with the business.
- Relationship Management: Cultivated strong relationships with internal and external partners to ensure long-term successful cooperation.
- Representation and Advocacy: Represented Nutricia in the Polish Food Federation, focusing on food law lobbying activities and resolving business disruptions through industry-level cooperation.
- Regulatory Expertise: Possess deep knowledge of food law regulations, with a special focus on regulatory requirements for food for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes and food supplements. Strong knowledge of quality and food safety regulations for these product categories.
- Policy Formulation and Compliance: Formulated internal CBU policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the law and Danone standards, continuously coordinating and monitoring their execution (e.g., CVM, BMS Policy, HCS Policy).
- Strategic Planning: Developed and executed strategic plans for the GC and Regulatory Team to secure SNU's business license to operate and support planned growth.
- Authority Management: Regularly managed control of authorities on the CBU portfolio, handled authority challenges, and, in cooperation with law firms, managed proceedings at the administrative courts.
- Crisis Management: Managed crises for food categories and medical devices through strong cross-functional cooperation in CBU and global functions.
- Innovation in Regulatory Processes: Demonstrated leadership in the development and implementation of AI tools in the regulatory area (i.e. ChatGPT 4.o Assistants for Regulatory function).
Regulatory Affairs Manager
Danone Sp z o.o.
02.2017 - 09.2019
- Specialized Coverage: Managed regulatory aspects for food for infants and toddlers, including food for special medical purposes.
- Compliance and Competitiveness: Ensured a compliant and competitive business by aligning products and communication with food regulations and Danone internal policies and procedures.
- Regulatory Advocacy: Influenced the regulatory framework through active participation in the Polish Food Federation.
- Team Coordination: Coordinated a team of 8 country regulatory managers (PL, BL, Nordics) in the area of BMS Policy (Breast Milk Substitutes).
- Crisis Management: Managed crisis situations involving official authorities.
R&D and Quality Assurance Manager for PL, CZ/SL, H
Nutricia Polska Sp. z o.o.
04.2008 - 01.2017
- Innovation Process Setup: Established the innovation process for Poland, Czech/Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Led a cross-functional team to drive the CBU Innovation Strategy ("Fuel the Growth") based on consumer needs, market trends, and competitor analysis, ensuring effective and credible portfolio development.
- Research Planning and Execution: Developed and supported the execution of local research plans.
- Project Management Education: Served as the project management process educator at the CBU level.
- Connector Role: Acted as the liaison between local CBUs and Global Teams on all matters related to research and portfolio development.
Canning Area Production Manager, Sochaczew, Poland
Mars Polska
02.2007 - 03.2008
- Team Leadership: Managed a factory staff of over 100 people, fostering safe, collaborative and productive work environment.
- KPI Management: Set up, managed, and delivered factory KPIs, focusing on safety, quality, and effectiveness.
- Strategic Planning: Developed and implemented short and mid-term strategies for the Canning line, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.
- Process Optimization: Regularly optimized production processes in accordance with Lean Manufacturing principles, including 5S, Kaizen, and Kanban.
External QFS Manager / R&D College Coordinator
Mars Polska
05.2003 - 01.2007
- QFS Systems Development: Developed QFS systems for products distribution, including warehousing, transportation, and point of sale.
- QFS Audits: Conducted quality audits across multiple countries: i.e. Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Finland, and Sweden.
- Remote Team Management: Remotely managed a team of six quality managers-auditors across Europe.
- Third-Party Supplier Systems: Developed QFS systems for third-party suppliers for Mars in Europe and conducted QFS audits.
- Crisis and Incident Management: Managed crises and incidents effectively.
- Functional Development: Developed and planned functional development for the Mars R&D team (>20 people).
QFS Manager (Masterfoods Bokros), Hungary
Mars Polska
02.2005 - 10.2005
- Team Leadership: Led a team of six QFS professionals, fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment.
- QFS Systems Development: Developed Quality and Food Safety systems for two pet food factories (regular and treats) in Bokros, Hungary.
- ISO Certification: Successfully led the first ISO certification process for both factories.
- Crisis and Incident Management: Managed crises and incidents effectively, minimizing disruption to operations.
- Regulatory Compliance: Collaborated with local official authorities to ensure compliance and smooth operations.
Shift Manager
Mars Polska
06.1998 - 04.2003
- Team Leadership: Led a shift of ca. 50 team members, focusing on their functional and personal development.
- Safety Compliance: Implemented and enforced safety rules to ensure a secure working environment.
- KPI Achievement: Achieved set KPIs, including LTA, RFT, MCC, LCC, and COGS.
- Quality Assurance: Maintained and delivered defined quality standards for the final product.
- Project and Process Management: Managed projects, production areas, and continuous improvement processes.
- Lean Manufacturing: Implemented and executed Lean tools such as Kaizen and Kanban.
Raw Material Technologist
Mars Polska
03.1996 - 05.1998
Lab Analyst / Near Infrared (NIR) Specialist
Mars Polska
10.1993 - 02.1996
Education
Master of Science - Master of Science Degree (MSc) in Human Nutrition
Warsaw Agricultural University (SGGW), Poland
Warsaw, Poland07-1993
Postgraduate Studies - Coaching With Elements of Psychology
SWPS University
Poznań 10.2024 - Current
Skills
- Strong Communication Skills
- Composed in High-Stress Situations
- Effective Problem Resolution
- Strategic Decision Making
- Effective Organization
- Effective Coaching Techniques
Timeline
Postgraduate Studies - Coaching With Elements of Psychology
SWPS University
10.2024 - Current
Head of Regulatory Affairs, SNU PL
Danone Sp. z o.o.
10.2019 - Current
Regulatory Affairs Manager
Danone Sp z o.o.
02.2017 - 09.2019
R&D and Quality Assurance Manager for PL, CZ/SL, H
Nutricia Polska Sp. z o.o.
04.2008 - 01.2017
Canning Area Production Manager, Sochaczew, Poland
Mars Polska
02.2007 - 03.2008
QFS Manager (Masterfoods Bokros), Hungary
Mars Polska
02.2005 - 10.2005
External QFS Manager / R&D College Coordinator
Mars Polska
05.2003 - 01.2007
Shift Manager
Mars Polska
06.1998 - 04.2003
Raw Material Technologist
Mars Polska
03.1996 - 05.1998
Lab Analyst / Near Infrared (NIR) Specialist
Mars Polska
10.1993 - 02.1996
Master of Science - Master of Science Degree (MSc) in Human Nutrition
Warsaw Agricultural University (SGGW), Poland
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