Chief Scientific Officer - Produce

Company Description

Eurofins Scientific is an international life sciences company, providing a unique range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries, to make life and our environment safer, healthier and more sustainable. From the food you eat, to the water you drink, to the medicines you rely on, Eurofins laboratories work with the biggest companies in the world to ensure the products they supply are safe, their ingredients are authentic, and labelling is accurate.

Eurofins is dedicated to delivering testing services that contribute to the health and safety of society and the planet, and to its corporate responsibility to protect the environment and ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion across the entire network of Eurofins companies.

Job Description

The responsibilities for this role include, but are not limited to, the following:

Develop & implement Eurofins operational and commercial strategy to serve the US Fresh-cut & Processed Produce industries

• Establish go-to-market strategy for testing, ancillary services (e.g. field sampling), traceability offerings/needs, risk assessment services, etc.
• Build industry network to increase market presence of Eurofins through developing industry partnerships (e.g. engage relationships with outside partner Labs, Center for Produce Safety, LGMA, PMA, United Fresh, etc.)
• Identify and develop strategy for novel & emerging testing methods, sampling approaches and software systems with an eye towards market expansion and profitability
• Collaborate with Eurofins IT to evolve internal systems to accommodate Produce traceability and sampling needs
• Cultivate Eurofins to be the commercial lab of choice for investigation and rapid response for produce food safety events
• Represent Eurofins in thought-leadership roles within industry trade and technical groups for produce food safety & quality
• Assist EML laboratories with obtaining/supporting fresh-cut & minimally processed fruit/vegetables by providing business development, sales assistance, operational insight into matrix complexities, consultation for internal and external customers

Demonstrate and promote the company vision to expand Eurofins footprint.

• Support VP of Operations to establish & implement new market opportunities with modular, regional or specialty laboratories
• Identify  strategic opportunities to provide new or additional value for industry and Eurofins
• Provide internal & external training and strategic approaches to serve and obtain customers

Industry Specific Assignments:

• Provide regulatory expertise to Eurofins and clientele
• Provide program assistance to Eurofins and clientele (examples being, HACCP, export, organic, BRC, SQF, etc.)
• Provide crisis / recall support
• Provide in plant investigation support
• Perform in plant validation sampling along with report generation to clientele
• Work closely with Eurofins auditing and certification business unit / help develop industry relative training and auditing services
• Work closely with Eurofins technologies to advance platform capabilities to support the produce industry
• Attend all relative trade shows and engage in speaking or presenting when possible
• Strategic account management and relations
• Engage and recruit future produce division talent
• Develop and drive collaboration between industry division and marketing division
• Attend and lead meetings with both existing and new clients in the industry

Qualifications

The ideal candidate would possess:

• New product and business development experience; proficiency in start-ups, microbiology/genetics and stage-gate processes to facilitate rapid growth

• Experience with P&L management  

• Strong understanding of food industry issues and development to identify segments of focus for business development

• Technical expertise in Produce issues, testing, emerging needs and technologies

• Excellent communication (oral and written) and relationship management skills and attention to detail

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, self-motivation, adaptability, and a positive attitude

• Ability to learn new techniques, performs multiple tasks simultaneously, keep accurate records, follow instructions, and comply with company policies

• Strong understanding of aligning activities & developing profitable expansion business plans

Basic Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in sciences, M.S. in microbiology/food science, ideally with a laboratory services background, or other related degree concentration, or equivalent directly-related experience

• Related experience & competency