Research Project Leader
 Merieux NutriSciences | |
vision insurance, paid time off, 401(k)
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 United States, Illinois, Crete | |
| 3600 Eagle Nest Drive (Show on map) | |
 May 06, 2025 | |
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Research Project Leader Crete Science Center Regular MERIEUX NUTRISCIENCES As a trusted partner, our Public Health mission is to make food systems safer, healthier and more sustainable. Throughout our global network in 27 countries, we offer to our customers a wide range of testing and innovative solutions dedicated to preventing health risks related to food, environment and consumer goods. External growth has been a key pillar of our history with more than 40 acquisitions completed in the last 10 years. YOUR DAY TO DAY LIFE We are looking for a Research Project Leader in 3600 Eagle Nest Dr, Crete, IL 60417 USA. Your mission will be to: Purpose (Objective): This position develops proposals, in conjunction with the General Manager, Research Director or Research Project Manager, for the Food Science Center regarding contract research and development projects. The incumbent leads and manages projects from start to finish, working with the project team in order to efficiently and effectively deliver projects on time and within budget for internal and external clients of the Food Science Center.Main activities: * Manage assigned research projects (internal and external) by preparing technical proposals, developing contracts, and assigning personnel to ensure projects efficient completion. * Lead project teams in planning project activities, tasks and end results including work breakdown estimates, responsibilities, schedules and budgets. Coordinates tasks and resource allocations. * In conjunction with the General Manager, interface and negotiate with internal and external project stakeholders. May participate in meetings or presentations to industry partners to represent the FSC in project meetings. * Writes drafts of proposals, reports, and manuscripts as they pertain to research projects, with input from General Manager and/or other Contract R&D Managers/Directors. * Provide clear communication to vendors and internal operations supervisors, client services manager, and other project managers to coordinate and ensure tight implementation of schedule and budget. * Organize, facilitate and report progress in monthly reports, including technical and financial information, to the General Manager and client service manager. * With input from the General Manager, revise contracts, project plans, and gain approval for changes in scope, budget or timelines, prior to the execution of work and provide clear communication to appropriate personnel to ensure timely implementation of changes. * Serves as the key contact for project-specific interactions, on certain projects, with clients. * Manage lab processes, supplies, instruments, and equipment to achieve maximum output, in coordination with operation supervisors and operation managers * Set up, calibrate, and operate equipment in accordance with methods and SOPs. * Performs all duties in accordance with established safety procedures and quality assurance standards (global and local SOPs); ensures that other lab personnel comply with the same. * Oversees and performs lab tests and conducts independent analysis in a timely, accurate, and cost-effective manner * Provide proper feedback and recognition of teamwork and team accomplishments on a regular basis. * Administer corporate human resource programs as they related to assigned personnel, including employee recruitment and retention, compensation, training and development, equal employment opportunity, performance management, and employment record documentation and conduct regular staff meetings. * Drafts and/or collaborates in the development of publications and presentations; develop and maintain expertise in the field of food sciences and other related technologies, particularly within the microbiological method validation field, through available library resources, peer expertise, including the Silliker SGC Corporate Quality, and AOAC membership. * This position has the responsibility and authority to initiate action to prevent or minimize departures from the quality system or test procedures. This authority includes addressing resource needs to properly address issues such as client turn-around time requirements, overtime limits, employee turnover, work stoppage and assure the appropriate type and amount of materials are ready and available for use. * Support the corporate quality and improvement process (TQM). * Perform other duties as needed. Communication: * Frequent contact with personnel within the business unit and with management personnel from other business units is required to standardize services, exchange client and competition information, and standardize business unit processes. * Frequent contact with clients to explain services and business unit processes. Frequent contact with client service personnel is necessary to provide results, answer questions, check on progress of special projects and obtain any information needed for the analytical procedure to proceed. * Occasional contact with the client is necessary to obtain or provide information, explain procedures, and discuss specific requirements for the project. * Regular contact with vendor representatives is required to order necessary materials and ask questions about new products. Occasional contact with the corporate office is needed to answer inquiries about administrative and Standard Operating Procedures. YOUR PROFILE Profile: * Advanced knowledge of food science typically obtained from a Bachelor's degree in food science, chemistry, microbiology or related field * 5 years prior research experience, which includes at least 3 years experience supervising laboratory personnel. * Must have demonstrated research skills with ability to perform accurately and efficiently with a minimal level of supervision. * Advanced knowledge of food safety and microbiological methods of food analyses to successfully perform the functions of this position. * Experience with conducting microbial method validation studies is needed to ensure the company is working within the guidelines of the appropriate standards organizations. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary to ensure a thorough understanding of information being conveyed. * Organization skills along with the ability to produce clear, accurate reports will assist this position in the deliverance of information to clients as well as company leaders. * The ability to build strong relationships with technical and non-technical teams alike is needed to work effectively with clients and the leadership team to ensure the best service to the clients. * Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and guide the efforts of others to successful project completion as well as to manage communication with clients, in conjunction with the General Manager or Client Services Manager will ensure success in this position. * Ability to multitask and prioritize is needed to work with several projects simultaneously. Required skills: The incumbent ensures that the analysis is performed within the specified time limit and results are accurate. The incumbent uses technical expertise to determine solutions to problems that occur in the laboratory. Difficulties can result from a client request of a different procedure than is normally performed by the laboratory. The incumbent uses reference journals and professional contacts to locate the needed methodology of the requested test. Problems can result when tasks are not completed within the specified time constraint or when information or materials to solve the problem is not available. Timely resolutions of analysis problems are important to improve client relations. Company operating procedures and testing methods can provide data for analysis difficulties. The incumbent must verify that all procedures have taken place correctly and new procedures are researched to obtain the most effective testing process. * The incumbent makes decisions using independent judgment regarding the future action of the laboratory. Accurate data may not be immediately available so alternate sources may be required. Written company procedures and policies, standard practice manuals, and state and federal regulations provide guidance when solving analytical problems. The incumbent determines the schedule of laboratory personnel and the priority of current projects according to the project requests. The incumbent arranges tasks for the department and plans future actions that will improve the efficiency and quality of operations. Changes in a decision are discussed with laboratory management before implementation. * The incumbent receives general guidance from the Research Project Manager. Long-term objectives are established and agreed upon with the supervisor in accordance with corporate goals and objectives. The incumbent determines intermediate objectives, with approval from laboratory management. Laboratory management reviews results regularly and status reports are provided to management as requested. The incumbent is responsible for the direction of activities in the laboratory including quality control and execution of the experimental design. The incumbent accountable for the analysis and interpretation of data. The actions of the incumbent have a moderate impact on the company, and a significant impact on the department.
Management: * This position supervises Sr. Microbiologists and Microbiologists working directly with projects. The position sets work schedules, assigns tasks on a project basis, provides specialized/technical assistance, and coordinates multiple specialized technical functions within department and external parties. This position conducts performance appraisals of the staff it supervises. Daily interaction with subordinates is required to insure staff efforts are optimized Work Environment: The incumbent works in a laboratory setting with proper lighting and temperature control. Working in the laboratory is necessary when evaluating the tasks of the subordinates and explaining new techniques. Occasional exposure to laboratory fumes, chemicals, and materials will occur when in the laboratory. The incumbent is required to wear safety equipment that includes eye protection, gloves and laboratory coat. Some methods require tests to be completed beneath a ventilation hood or with the incumbent wearing a respirator. The analysis can involve using a vacuum and air oven. The incumbent should be able to detect slight variation in shades of colors. Physical dexterity is necessary to effectively manipulate a keyboard. The incumbent can expect extended time spent in a sitting position. Two to five nights, bi-annually, may be required to travel to other company locations, client facilities, and attend professional seminars and conferences. Compensation Range:
Full Time Eligible Benefits Overview: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans. Generous paid time off (PTO) package to support work-life balance following state and local ordinances. Optional 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions. The information above provides a general overview and may vary based on specific job responsibilities, location, or other factors. Details will be clarified during the hiring process. WHY JOIN US?
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