Project Leader

Eurofins USA Food Testing•Ithaca, NY

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Leader manages research and development projects across multiple food product categories and technologies, from experimentation through pilot-plant scale-up and commercial plant testing. The role serves as the primary client interface during active projects, translating client needs into deliverables, communicating progress and budget status, and ensuring work stays within approved scope. The Project Leader also manages and motivates a team of technical staff, supports client relationships and business development, and leads innovation activities. This position is performed onsite and includes laboratory and pilot-scale food processing work, exposure to chemicals or other hazardous materials, and regular travel.

Requirements

Ph.D. from an IFT-accredited food science program with six years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience in project management and supervision of professional technical personnel.
Experience in full-cycle product development.
Ability to communicate confidently with clients about business and technical needs and redirect projects in the client's best interest.
Ability to independently direct a team through technical project challenges and shift resources, roles, and priorities as needed.
Strong interpersonal skills, cooperation, professionalism, discretion, and ability to motivate and support team members.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing clear reports and presentations and delivering them confidently to clients.
Strong and timely decision-making skills and strategic thinking.
Ability to create spreadsheets, graphics, and reports using standard software applications.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to work onsite in a science laboratory and with lab- and pilot-scale food-processing machinery.
Ability to work around a wide range of foods, including potential allergens, and exposure to chemicals or other hazardous materials.
Ability to occasionally lift, move, push, pull, or otherwise exert up to 50 pounds using appropriate lifting equipment and techniques.
Ability to travel overnight, on weekends, interstate, or internationally by air on a regular basis; travel is approximately 25% of the time.

Responsibilities

Direct multiple projects using project-planning documents and tools.
Provide technical guidance for experimentation, pilot-plant scale-up, and commercial plant testing.
Develop or approve project plans, work orders, and scope-change documentation.
Review and edit reports, summaries, and emails; lead conference calls; and review and approve lab notebooks.
Track project performance through interactions with clients, project teams, and direct reports.
Manage resource expenditures against project budgets and adjust as needed.
Serve as the primary client interface, establish deliverables, communicate progress and budget status, and ensure client satisfaction.
Maintain and strengthen client relationships during and between projects, and coordinate with other business units.
Travel to clients, third parties, and accounts as needed.
Manage a group of up to three technical staff; coordinate training, interview candidates, coach direct reports, and support their professional development.
Conduct and contribute to employee reviews and track professional development plans.
Communicate key business, project, personnel, and client information throughout the organization.
Support client prospecting and develop referral networks with clients, vendors, and other contacts.
Lead proactive and internal innovation projects and activities, and lead prospective-client visits or prepare project-initiation documents.
Demonstrate and promote the company vision, maintain regular attendance and punctuality, and apply GMP/GLP as appropriate.
Conduct work safely and efficiently and perform other duties as assigned.