Associate Director, Food Sciences

Thermo Fisher Scientific•Austin, TX

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Provides strategic leadership and oversight for clinical trial nutrition programs and services, including program design, implementation, and delivery models. Leads and develops teams to ensure high-quality execution across regional and multi-site studies. Drives innovation, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance, while overseeing vendor partnerships and supporting business growth.

Requirements

Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) required
6+ years of progressive leadership or supervisory experience
3+ years of experience in program design, implementation, and management within clinical, research, or healthcare settings
Certified food service manager required or obtain within first 60 days of hire
6+ years in menu planning, diet management, or foodservice operations
Advanced knowledge of nutrition standards and their application within clinical trial settings.
Strategic leadership skills with demonstrated ability to mentor, develop, and manage teams, fostering growth and innovation.
Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office and ability to learn various programs and/or systems.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, capable of conveying complex concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse stakeholders.
Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional teams to achieve common goal.
Strong time-management skills with a proven ability to prioritize, delegate, and meet tight deadlines in high-pressure, fast-changing environments.
Strong budgeting and financial oversight experience.
Strong organizational, analytical, judgment, and decision-making skills, adept at managing complex, multi-phase projects and shifting priorities in clinical trials.
Proven ability to design and adapt clinical trial menus and lifestyle intervention programs.
Ability to drive innovation and continuous process improvements by integrating scalable strategies and optimizing workflows.
Establishes operating policies & procedures that affect departments and subordinate sections of work units.
Interprets company-wide policies and procedures.
Develops budgets, schedules, and performance standards.
Directs through lower management levels and / or highly skilled specialist employees who exercise significant latitude and independent judgment.
May manage employees across multiple regions.
Constant attention to detail.
Frequently stationary for 6-8 hours per day.
Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
Occasional mobility required.
Occasional crouching, stooping, bending and twisting of upper body and neck.
Light to heavy lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects including food trays and deliveries with a maximum lift of 50 lbs.
Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.
Ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand; with the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
May interact with others, relating and gathering sensitive information. Interaction includes diverse groups.
Works with guidance or reliance on oral or written instructions from management.
May require periods of intense concentration.
Performs a wide range of variable tasks as dictated by variable demands and changing conditions with little predictability as to the occurrence.
Ability to perform under stress.
Ability to multi-task.
Regular and consistent attendance.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, public health, or related field preferred
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and managing multi-site or complex programs preferred
Bachelor’s degree in nutrition or related field preferred

Responsibilities

Manages supervisors/managers and/or teams. Leads and develops supervisors, managers, and/or cross-functional teams.
Leads nutrition services projects at regional, multi-site, and occasionally global scopes.
Oversees clinical trial nutrition programs, including service delivery, vendor relationships, and resource allocation.
Ensures adherence to regulatory standards compliance with applicable regulatory standards, including OSHA, Department of Health, FDA, and multi-state regulations as applicable.
Continuously identifies gaps and/or opportunities for improvement and drives process improvements and innovation in nutrition service initiativescapabilities.
Provides subject matter expertise during protocol reviews, including clinical trial menu design and nutrition counseling or lifestyle intervention program services.
Collaborates with clients and internal stakeholders to design and implement lifestyle interventions and related services.
Represents the organization in industry conferences, meetings, and partnerships.
Supports business development efforts, including bid defenses and client engagements.
Develops compelling presentations for clients and internal stakeholders to effectively communicate the organization’s nutrition service capabilities.
Participates in protocol reviews to provide input on dietary capabilities and services.
Drives innovation in service capabilities.