Associate Director/Business Unit Manager (Eurofins BioPharma Testing)

Eurofins • Houston, TX

21d • Onsite

About The Position

Eurofins Biopharma Product Testing is seeking an entrepreneurial and operationally strong Associate Director, Business Unit Manager (BUMA) to establish and lead a new microbiology laboratory in Houston, Texas. This role is responsible for building a new business and laboratory operation from the ground up, including facility readiness, equipment procurement and qualification, staffing, customer relationship development, operational launch, and direct P&L ownership for the Houston lab. The Houston Microbiology Laboratory will be part of the BPT network of labs on the west coast and report to the Senior Vice President of Biopharma Product Testing for the Western United States. The Houston lab will tap into select functions out west and be supported by a centralized Sales team. This lab directly supports BPT’s strategy of building a hub-and-spoke model in select geographies to serve the rapidly expanding onshoring of biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The Houston site is also intended to serve as a model for similar satellite laboratories in the future.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline, engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of direct laboratory, scientific, technical, or operational experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of direct people leadership experience.
• Experience with GMP, biopharmaceutical testing, laboratory quality systems, or regulated laboratory operations.
• Strong operations and technical background with a proven track record of driving operational excellence.
• Demonstrated financial aptitude and business acumen, including experience managing budgets, metrics, operating performance, or business results.
• Customer-oriented leadership style with the ability to build trusted client relationships.
• Strong communication, organizational, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to succeed in an entrepreneurial startup environment with evolving priorities, ambiguity, and high visibility.

Nice To Haves

• Direct experience in microbiology testing
• Experience launching a new laboratory, facility, service line, department, or business operation.
• Prior responsibility for a P&L, business unit, site, department, or operational budget.
• Advanced degree, such as an MBA, MS, PhD, or equivalent, is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the financial performance, operating results, and business trajectory of the Houston Microbiology Laboratory.
• Develop and execute short- and long-term business plans that support startup, launch, client adoption, and growth.
• Establish operating metrics, financial targets, management cadence, and business review processes for the site.
• Drive profitability through disciplined resource allocation, operational productivity, service performance, and growth execution.
• Build a scalable operating model that can support future expansion of Houston and serve as a model for other satellite laboratories.
• Lead the operational startup of the Houston lab from pre-launch through steady-state operations.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and external partners to complete facility setup, including lease transition activities, construction/build-out coordination, laboratory layout, and site readiness.
• Coordinate procurement, installation, setup, qualification, and readiness of new laboratory equipment and supporting infrastructure.
• Establish local workflows, operating practices, management routines, and readiness plans aligned with Eurofins and BPT expectations.
• Ensure the laboratory is prepared for client onboarding, audits, method implementation, and routine operations.
• Serve as the primary site leader for day-to-day Houston laboratory operations.
• Build a culture of accountability, quality, customer focus, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
• Develop operating cadences, performance dashboards, escalation practices, and team routines appropriate for a small but growing business.
• Identify and implement operational improvements that enhance productivity, reliability, turnaround time, and client experience.
• Make practical, entrepreneurial decisions in an evolving startup environment while maintaining alignment with BPT standards.
• Foster strong relationships with existing and prospective clients in the Houston and broader Texas market.
• Serve as the local face of Eurofins BPT for Houston microbiology clients and prospects.
• Partner closely with the Sales team to identify opportunities, support client development, develop the local pipeline, and convert opportunities into sustainable business.
• Represent the Houston lab in client meetings, tours, business development discussions, and operational readiness conversations.
• Translate customer needs and market feedback into operational priorities and growth plans for the lab.
• Hire, onboard, coach, and develop the initial Houston laboratory team.
• Establish clear expectations, role clarity, performance management routines, and development practices for a small high-growth team.
• Create an engaged and accountable team culture that can scale as the business grows.
• Develop local talent while leveraging support, guidance, and subject-matter expertise from the broader BPT network.
• Collaborate closely with Quality, Sales, Finance, HR, IT, and other shared support functions.
• Use centralized Quality and Sales support effectively while maintaining local ownership of Houston performance, execution, and client experience.
• Maintain clear communication with leadership regarding launch status, risks, milestones, financial performance, and growth opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager