Sr RD&E Program Leader
We are seeking a Senior Program Leader – Food Safety & Microbiology to lead a critical function within our RD&E organization. This role is responsible for advancing Ecolab’s food safety and public health innovation agenda across our Global Quick Service and Food Retail businesses.
This role operates at the intersection of science, customer insight, and business impact, with the opportunity to shape solutions that protect food safety on a global scale.
This position is in Greensboro, NC and reports to the VP RD&E for Global Quick Service and Global Food Retail.
What You Will Do
Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing food safety and microbiology team, building strong technical capability and leaders
Own and deliver the food safety and public health innovation pipeline, ensuring alignment with business priorities and driving speed and impact of commercialization
Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the microbiology laboratory, ensuring high-quality customer testing, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence
Serve as the voice of food safety for QSR and FRS, engaging with customers, industry organizations, and internal leaders to influence strategy and outcomes
Lead cross-functional alignment across RD&E, Marketing, Regulatory, Sales, and Supply Chain to deliver integrated, customer-centric solutions
Translate customer and industry insights into differentiated technologies, anticipating emerging risks, regulatory changes, and competitive dynamics
Contribute as a key member of the RD&E Technical Leadership Team
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, engineering, biology, food science, or related scientific/technical discipline
10+ years of experience in RD&E or technical roles
4+ years of experience in product development and/or project leadership
Experience designing and executing experimental and analytical studies
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across cross-functional business teams
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant discipline
Proven track record of successful product development and commercial launches
Experience leading and developing high-performing technical associates
Strong knowledge of food safety principles, microbiology, and FDA Food Code
Demonstrated ability to lead through complexity and influence across global stakeholders
Experience serving as a technical leader with customers or industry organizations
Annual or Hourly Compensation Range
The base salary range for this position is $133,700.00 - $200,600.00. This position is eligible for annual bonus pay based on performance, per plan terms. Many factors are taken into consideration when determining compensation, such as experience, education, training, geography, etc. We comply with all minimum wage and overtime laws.Benefits
Ecolab strives to provide comprehensive and market-competitive benefits to meet the needs of our associates and their families. Click here to see our benefits.
If you are viewing this posting on a site other than our Ecolab Career website, view our benefits at jobs.ecolab.com/working-here.
Potential Customer Requirements Notice
To meet customer requirements and comply with local or state regulations, applicants for certain customer-facing roles may need to:
- Undergo additional background screens and/or drug/alcohol testing for customer credentialing.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Ecolab will provide reasonable accommodation (such as a qualified sign language interpreter or other personal assistance) with our application process upon request as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require accommodation assistance in this application process, please visit the Recruiting Support link in the footer of each page of our career website.
Our Commitment to a Culture of Inclusion & Belonging
At Ecolab, we believe the best teams are inclusive. We are on a journey to create a workplace where every associate can grow and achieve their best. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of associates and applicants and recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement based on individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, we will not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran.
In addition, we are committed to furthering the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) through Affirmative Action (AA).
We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.