Job Description
NSF is searching for a dynamic leader with experience in the natural and/or organic food sector to lead our rapidly growing Food Claims business unit. The Director, Food Claims leads the growth strategy for QAI (NSF’s wholly owned NOP-accredited organic certification body) ensuring the achievement of operational and financial goals aligned with the NSF mission and values. In addition to QAI (one of N. America’s most established and respected organic certification bodies) the Food Claims business unit includes related certification services such as non-GMO, gluten-free, raised without antibiotics, plant-based and other food and beverage claims. The Director, Food Claims is accountable for leading a high-performing team to execute the business unit’s strategic vision, profitable growth and expansion efforts globally. This will be a hybrid role, preferably located in Ann Arbor, MI.
Responsibilities
- Supports the development and implementation of the business unit’s strategy in international markets. Ensures goals and growth strategies are achieved and aligned with customer expectations and the NSF strategy, mission, and values
- Develops and leads growth strategies in coordination with Commercial and Marketing teams to ensure profitable and sustained business growth
- Responsible for the service portfolio management and optimization including launching new offers and growth investments
- Partners with regional leadership to enable successful implementation of strategic initiatives across the globe including organizational changes, integration of mergers and acquisitions, innovation, new services offers, etc.
- Conducts business reviews to understand progress toward Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and timelines, mitigates risk, and ensures achievement of business and financial metrics. Reports on business unit performance
- Develops a culture of engaged, high-performing, developed, and accountable talent to achieve the business targets. Ensures teams are empowered to meet and exceed goals through performance management, leadership development, and business acumen. Attracts and retains the best talent through effective recruiting, coaching, and mentoring
- Partners with key functions to ensure systems, tools, and processes are maximized to for operational excellence
- Leads by example by exhibiting the NSF values. Serves as a strong motivator and leader for team members, inspiring talent to achieve higher levels of performance. Maintains positive team-oriented operations that support the NSF positive culture vision
- Develops and manages the division’s annual operating plan aligned with the leadership team. Presents the annual budget, impact, positioning, deliverables, and resources to ensure the achievement of revenue and profitability as defined in the strategy and goals
- Establishes and maintains critical relationships with internal and external stakeholders including customers, employees, communities, governments, outside vendors and partners, and others as required to achieve global strategies and objectives. Ensures superior customer care and achievement of expectations and needs. Communicates throughout the organization in a timely manner with leaders, team members, customers and partners
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, or a related field
- Relevant experience in the food industry, as in the testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) sector
- Experience developing and implementing strategy
- Prior experience in managing P&L including allocating resources and managing expenses to achieve or exceed revenue and profit targets
- Proven experience leading a global business or operation, including the ability to identify market trends, acquisition targets, and innovative services
- Ability to build strong customer relationships, understand customer needs and deliver customer-centric solutions aligned with the mission and goals
- Ability to build and lead teams, including selecting and developing talent, building trust, coaching team members, and managing performance resulting in high performing teams. Experience leading and developing other leaders
- Demonstrated business acumen, including the ability to build relationships, interpret financial indicators, adopt innovative ideas and apply knowledge of the business to advance organizations goals
- Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver organizational messages using various communication modes for transparency and clarity of messages with teams in a consistent and timely manner
- Must actively model all NSF core values: We demand the highest ethics and integrity. We operate using sound scientific principles. We respect and care for one another. We promote personal and professional growth. We foster innovation and creativity. We demonstrate social and environmental responsibility. We are committed to winning and being the best
- Collaborative with a global mindset engages with internal and external stakeholders across regions, divisions and functions to achieve business results
Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Please note that NSF is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies/search firms for this role. Resumes submitted to an NSF Employee by a third-party agency without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become sole property of NSF. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.
About Us
At NSF, our mission is to improve human and planet health by enabling safe food, clean water, and life-enhancing health technologies and products for millions of people around the world. We’re a global leader in standards development, testing, auditing, certification, and knowledge-based solutions for the food, nutrition, water, and life sciences industries. We’re passionate about our work because together, we have a broad impact on our world.
Our growing team of more than 3,000 team members provide services across all continents through our global offices and state-of-the-art laboratories, at our client sites, and from home offices. We’re growing fast and expanding into new areas, and that’s where you come in.
Come join a team that makes a difference in the world. More information about NSF can be found at nsf.org.
One of our core values is We Are One NSF. This means that while we’re one team, we embrace the cultural, ethnic, language and demographic diversity that reflects the societies in which we live and work. NSF is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.
Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Please note that NSF is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies/search firms for this role. Resumes submitted to an NSF Employee by a third-party agency without a valid written & signed search agreement between NSF and said third-party agency, will become sole property of NSF. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.
About The Team
NSF provides expertise and accredited food services across the entire food value chain: from agriculture, animal welfare, aquaculture, dairy, and production through to processing, distribution, quality management, retail, and restaurants. As a pioneer in food safety, we help businesses thrive while achieving their food sustainability, compliance, and risk management goals.
Our certifications services cover the Global Food Safety Initiative, supplier assurance, foodservice equipment and nonfood compounds, and organic and Certified Transitional certification through Quality Assurance International (QAI). We also offer HACCP validation and inspection, label claims verification and certification, DNA and food package testing, and product and process development. Separately, we provide expert consulting, food safety training, and auditing in areas including food fraud and gap assessments, retail food safety, and brand standards.
