Business Unit Manager Contaminants

Company Description

Eurofins is an international network of independent life sciences companies, providing a unique range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries, to make life and our environment safer, healthier and more sustainable. From the food you eat, to the water you drink, to the medicines you rely on, Eurofins laboratories work with the biggest companies in the world to ensure the products they supply are safe, their ingredients are authentic, and labelling is accurate.

Job Description

HOW CAN YOU HELP US?

In a nutshell:

We are looking for a scientifically driven and hands-on Business Unit Manager to lead our Contaminants Testing Business Unit, specialising in dioxins analysis, within Eurofins Food & Feed Testing in the Netherlands.

This role combines scientific expertise, operational excellence, and people leadership, making it ideal for a professional with a strong technical background who is ready to take the next step into broader business leadership.

You will be responsible for overseeing laboratory operations, driving technological improvements, developing your team, and ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality analytical testing services. With full P&L responsibility, you will also contribute to the financial performance and long-term development of the Business Unit.

• Graauw, Netherlands
• Employees work in a hybrid mode
• Full-time
• Onsite presence of approximately 80% (4 days per week).
• Candidates based in Belgium are welcome to apply.

What team will you be part of?

You will join Eurofins Lab Zeeuws Vlaanderen, part of Eurofins Food & Feed Testing, a global leader in analytical testing services.

The Business Unit specialises in contaminants testing, with a strong focus on dioxins analysis, supporting the safety and quality of food and feed products. Through advanced analytical techniques, including chromatography, the laboratory plays an important role in identifying unwanted contaminants in agricultural commodities, oils, and other food and feed products throughout the supply chain.

Based in Graauw, in the southern Netherlands near the Belgian border, the laboratory works closely with other Eurofins laboratories across Europe, providing specialised analytical services to internal customers.

You will lead an experienced operational and scientific team of approximately 30-40 employees, including laboratory analysts and team leaders. Reporting directly to the Business Unit Cluster Manager, you will collaborate closely with technical specialists, operational colleagues, and internal stakeholders to ensure high-quality service delivery and continuous improvement.

As Business Unit Manager, you will:

• Take ownership of the operational and financial performance of the Business Unit, including P&L responsibility.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of scientific and operational professionals.
• Oversee laboratory operations, ensuring high standards of quality, efficiency, and service delivery.
• Drive technological improvements, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and Eurofins customers.
• Monitor operational and financial KPIs, identifying opportunities to improve performance and profitability.
• Contribute to business planning, budgeting, and the long-term development of the Business Unit.
• Ensure compliance with relevant quality, safety, and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

Are you our kind of extraordinary?

You are a scientifically minded and pragmatic professional with a strong analytical background, a hands-on approach, and the ambition to combine technical expertise with operational and business leadership.

Your profile includes:

• A strong scientific background, ideally in analytical chemistry, chemical sciences, biological engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Experience in a laboratory, scientific, analytical testing, or technically complex operational environment.
• A solid understanding of analytical techniques, laboratory processes, and scientific problem-solving. Experience with chromatography is particularly relevant.
• Leadership experience or demonstrated potential to lead, motivate, and develop experienced technical teams.
• A hands-on and structured approach, with the ability to translate scientific and operational challenges into practical solutions.
• Strong analytical and organisational skills, with an interest in operational performance, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• The ability to build credibility with experienced scientific professionals and collaborate effectively with different stakeholders.
• An understanding of business performance metrics, including KPIs, budgets, and profitability. Previous P&L experience is an advantage but not mandatory.
• A proactive, results-driven mindset with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Experience in food and feed testing, contaminants analysis, pharmaceutical testing, or other regulated scientific environments is an advantage, but not essential.

Education:

• Degree in Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, Biological Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.

Languages:

• Dutch and English.
• Knowledge of French is an advantage, particularly given the international stakeholder environment.

Additional Information

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