Operations Leader Jobs in Texas

Business Unit Manager — Food Testing Lab Operations

Function: Food Testing Division

ABOUT EUROFINS

Eurofins Scientific is a global leader in food, environmental, pharmaceutical, and genomics testing, with a network of more than 900 laboratories across 60+ countries. Our Food Testing Division is one of the largest and most trusted in North America, providing comprehensive analytical services to food manufacturers, retailers, and regulatory bodies. We are committed to safeguarding the integrity and safety of the food supply through science-driven, operationally excellent laboratory services.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking a seasoned Food Testing operations leader to serve as Director or Business Unit Manager for one of our food testing laboratories. This is a full P&L leadership role encompassing laboratory operations, commercial growth, client relationships, and people leadership. The ideal candidate brings deep technical roots in food testing alongside the business acumen to drive revenue, manage profitability, and elevate client satisfaction in a fast-paced, high-volume testing environment. This role is open to candidates located near Eurofins food laboratory sites across the U.S. Specific location will be determined in partnership with the successful candidate based on operational fit and business need.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

P&L and Business Performance:

- Own full P&L accountability for the business unit, including revenue, EBITDA, and cost management
- Develop and execute annual operating budgets, capital plans, and multi-year growth strategies
- Identify and act on opportunities to improve margin, throughput, and operational efficiency
- Track and report on KPIs including turnaround time, quality metrics, revenue per test, and client retention

Commercial Growth & Client Management:

- Drive revenue growth through client acquisition, account expansion, and retention of key accounts
- Partner with the commercial/sales team to develop pricing strategies and respond to RFPs and tenders
- Serve as a senior point of contact for strategic clients, ensuring satisfaction, resolving escalations, and identifying upsell opportunities
- Represent Eurofins at industry events, trade associations, and client forums within the food and agriculture sectors
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory changes to position the business unit for sustained growth

Laboratory Operations & Technical Oversight:

- Lead day-to-day laboratory operations ensuring on-time delivery, quality compliance, and capacity optimization
- Maintain accreditations and ensure laboratory operations comply with ISO/IEC 17025, FDA, USDA, and relevant food safety standards (FSMA, GFSI, etc.)
- Oversee method development, validation, and implementation of new analytical capabilities in alignment with market demand
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across sample throughput, instrument utilization, and workflow efficiency
- Champion a safety-first culture and ensure full compliance with EHS policies and regulatory requirements

People Leadership & Organization Development:

- Lead, develop, and retain a multidisciplinary team of scientists, operations managers, and support staff
- Build organizational capability through talent acquisition, succession planning, and performance management
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and scientific excellence

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Required

- Experience in food testing, food safety, or closely related analytical laboratory environments — food testing background is required for this role
- Demonstrated P&L ownership or senior-level accountability for laboratory or business unit performance
- Proven track record of driving commercial growth — business development, account management, or client-facing revenue responsibility
- Strong working knowledge of food testing methodologies: microbiology, chemistry, allergens, contaminants, nutritional analysis, or related disciplines
- Familiarity with food industry accreditations and regulatory frameworks (ISO/IEC 17025, FSMA, GFSI, A2LA, FDA, USDA)
- Demonstrated ability to lead large, cross-functional teams in a high-volume testing environment

Preferred

- B.S. or M.S. in Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline
- Prior experience in a contract testing laboratory or TIC (Testing, Inspection & Certification) environment
- Experience managing multiple sites or a matrix-structured organization
- Exposure to LIMS platforms, laboratory digitization initiatives, or operational automation

WHAT WE OFFER

- Competitive base salary commensurate with experience, plus performance-based bonus
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, and generous PTO
- The opportunity to lead a meaningful, mission-driven business unit within a global science organization
- Significant autonomy and visibility, with a direct line to divisional and executive leadership
- A culture that values scientific rigor, entrepreneurial thinking, and continuous improvement

LOCATION

Eurofins food testing operations span multiple U.S. regions. We are actively open to candidates located near any of our food laboratory sites and will work with the right individual to identify the best geographic fit. Specific location details will be shared during the interview process.

Eurofins Scientific is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.