Chief Scientific Officer

 This role is instrumental in driving innovation, market surveillance, and technical excellence across our global food testing laboratories in microbiology, chemistry, and molecular biology. The CSO will collaborate with internal teams, industry stakeholders, and external partners to maintain Mérieux NutriSciences as a leader in food safety and quality.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead global market surveillance to identify emerging trends and technical opportunities.
• Build recommendations for the Executive Committee on trends, risks, and investment strategies.
• Contribute to the company’s strategic decision-making processes for innovation and market expansion.

Innovation & Development

• Design and implement impactful analytical service development projects.
• Align internal resources and maintain customer engagement to pilot innovative solutions.
• Identify and develop novel testing methods, sampling approaches, and software systems.

Technical & Business Support

• Provide expertise to local labs, business units, and Key Account teams to address customer challenges.
• Offer technical guidance on regulatory compliance, food safety, and quality.
• Collaborate with Operations leadership to explore modular, regional, and specialty lab opportunities.

External Partnerships

• Cultivate relationships with academic institutions, regulatory bodies, and thought leaders.
• Represent Mérieux NutriSciences in industry trade and technical groups, enhancing visibility and influence.

Resource Management

• Ensure technical, human, and financial resources are optimally allocated.
• Partner with IT to evolve internal systems for traceability and advanced sampling needs.

Crisis Management & Food Safety Leadership

• Position Mérieux NutriSciences as the go-to lab for rapid response during food safety events.
• Drive leadership in the produce food safety and quality sectors.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in sciences; advanced degree in microbiology, food science, or a related field preferred.
• Proven track record in the food industry, particularly in Quality or Technical/Scientific roles.
• Expertise in FSMA, GFSI, and USDA/FDA regulations, with the ability to communicate food safety and regulatory concerns effectively.

Key Traits & Skills

• Visionary Leader: Recognized for identifying strategic opportunities and creating actionable plans.
• Food Science Expertise: Strong foundation in food chemistry, microbiology, and laboratory operations.
• Business Acumen: Skilled at evaluating development opportunities and translating them into profitable solutions.
• Collaborative Conductor: Adept at uniting multicultural and decentralized teams to achieve shared goals.
• Innovative Thinker: Passionate about exploring emerging technologies and market trends.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Demonstrates initiative and resourcefulness in advancing organizational objectives.