Global Food Protection Institute Seeks CEO

Published: November 30, 2010

POSITION SPECIFICATION

POSITION TITLE: Chief Executive Officer

REPORTING TO: Board of Directors

LOCATION: Battle Creek, MI

THE COMPANY: Global Food Protection Institute

A community of action advancing food protection.

http://www.gfpi.org/

The Global Food Protection Institute (GFPI) is a collaborative knowledge-exchange and resource-development network positioned at the nexus of the social, political, economic, and environmental driving forces influencing the adoption of food protection policies and practices that lead to improved public health. Given this unique role, GFPI serves as a catalyst for the advancement of food protection by facilitating the exchange of information, generation of new ideas, and acceleration of the development of applications and processes to enhance the safety of the global food supply

Headquartered in Battle Creek, MI, GFPI's family of global strategic initiatives include the International Food Protection Training Institute (www.ifpti.org) - in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, building the training infrastructure for the national integrated food safety system and delivering career-spanning, standards-based food protection training for state and local food protection officials; the Emerging Technology Accelerator - a private equity model (in formation) advancing the development of novel food protection technologies; and the Imagined Food Futures - conferences and symposia convening communities of action to influence the adoption of food protection policies and practices that lead to improved public health. The Global Food Protection Institute (GFPI) is working to advance the safety of the global food supply.

GFPI, including its IFPTI initiative, has been awarded nearly $9 million in grant funding by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to support the Institutes' start-up efforts. In addition, IFPTI received a $1 million federal appropriation in FY2010, and an additional $8 million has been included in the President's Budget for FY2011.

A recent study indicated that the health-related economic cost of food-borne illness in the United States is approximately $152 billion. Moreover, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. due to food pathogens; and about one of every four Americans will develop a foodborne illness each year.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

GFPI seeks an individual with a diverse background and skills. He/she will need to be able to work closely and effectively with leadership at all levels, including federal, state, and local elected representatives and food regulatory and public health officials - especially with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and within its policy setting and budgeting processes as such policies and processes impact the role of the International Food Protection Training Institute in establishing the training infrastructure supporting the nation's integrated food safety system. In addition, the individual will need to be able to establish strong working relationships with local and state economic development organizations, as well as secondary and higher education and community leaders. Of further importance, the successful candidate will have to be able to build and maintain effective relationships with key public and private sector constituents critical to raising the funds necessary to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the Institutes and their respective strategic initiatives.

In this regard, the individual will also need to be able to develop and nurture relationships with technology partners that may be connected in the Private Equity and Venture Capital communities and elsewhere will be essential to successfully building the Emerging Technology Accelerator. Finally, building and establishing the Imagined Food Futures conferences and symposia in food protection will be key to this individual's overall success as well as that of the Global Food Protection Institute.

SCOPE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leading through vision, the Chief Executive Officer:

· Creates the overarching vision for the organization.

· Defines the strategic direction of the firm.

· Exercises strong influence over the critical decisions that are made.

· Represents the organization to the outside world, including customers, suppliers, and trade associations.

· Is "the antenna" to the outside world, collecting information and scanning the horizon for change.

· Shapes the culture.

· Allocates resources among competing groups.

· Translates the strategic direction into personal objectives for people.

Personal Capabilities:

· Shapes organization direction to reinforce the continual need for technical excellence.

· Ensures that the organization has access to technical/professional resources that allow employees to remain cutting edge.

· Identifies and helps to quickly resolve ill-defined, complex problems that cross organizational boundaries.

· Requires accurate and crucial information as a basis for sound organization-wide decisions.

· Communicates the importance of clear, critical thinking in all jobs throughout the company.

· Fosters an organizational environment that encourages others to question their usual way of looking at things.

Focus on Results:

· Establishes key result areas for the organization.

· Communicates the key or "vital few" performance indicators that measure organizational results accomplishment throughout the organization.

· Leads or champions efforts that increase productivity and goal.

Interpersonal Skills:

· Maintains and uses relationships outside the company through which he or she can generate resources or information.

· Builds and/or supports mutually beneficial relationships with other organizations, professional associations, and community contacts.

· Actively and generously shares his or her extensive network of internal and external contacts to accomplish organizational goals.

· Influences or leads organizational efforts (e.g., succession planning, key assignments) that support employee development.

· Identifies and sponsors developmental opportunities for others that help them gain wide exposure and experience.

· Models teamwork by working effectively with other leaders in the organization.

· Plays a leading role in integrating and orchestrating the operations and activities of key business teams.

Leading Organizational Change:

· Energizes others to want to change by pointing out the need for change.

· Encourages people to let go of old ways so the new ways can begin.

· Clarifies how changes will affect jobs, work groups, and/or the organization.

· Helps others overcome their resistance to change.

· Sets and articulates a compelling vision for the organization.

· Continually communicates the highest priority strategic initiatives to keep the leadership team focused on the right things.

· Ensures that all systems in the organization are aligned toward achieving the overall strategic goals.

· Ensures that the organization has people skills and resources to meet the strategic challenges of tomorrow.

· Ability to lead the organization through periods of high growth.

EXPERIENCE / SKILLS REQUIRED:

· Understands the role GFPI/IFPTI plays in FDA's vision for an integrated food safety system.

· Has strong connections to the food or biotech industry, government, and academia.

· Comprehends the interaction between federal, state, and local regulatory agencies and recognizes the tension between them.

· Appreciates the nuances of the food protection community including agencies and associations.

· Understands the legislative process and has experience in political and government affairs.

· Actively addresses local and regional issues and concerns.

· Understands the changing landscape of the food industry on a national and international level.

· Leads efforts to raise funds; private equity experience and business development skills.

· Has an interest in social innovation and an entrepreneurial approach.

EDUCATION:

· Bachelor's degree in Business or Science related field required. Master's in Business Administration or other advanced post-graduate degree preferred.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

John Baker

Executive Vice President &

Global Life Sciences Practice Leader

DHR International

T: 319-351-8080

M: 617-834-8452

jbaker@dhrinternational.com

J.L. Baker

Principal

Global Life Sciences Practice

DHR International

T: 312.782.1581

M: 978.580.1852

jlbaker@dhrinternational.com

Jeff Goodell

Senior Associate

Global Life Sciences Practice

DHR International

T: 319-354-0457

F: 319-351-8099

jgoodell@dhrinternational.com

Craig Randall

Executive Vice President &

Managing Director

DHR International

T: 312-782-1581

F: 312-782-1109

crandall@dhrinternational.com

James Restelli

Senior Associate

DHR International

T: 312-782-1581

F: 312-782-1109

jrestelli@dhrinternational.com

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