Extension Educator-Fixed
Michigan State University
Working/Functional TitleDirector, MSU Product Center Position SummaryThe MSU Product Center is a nationally recognized leader in improving economic opportunities in the agriculture, food and bio-processing sectors. The Product Center executes three primary functions that focus on these sectors: (1) to help small-scale Michigan entrepreneurs develop and commercialize new and emerging high-value products, (2) to assist in the expansion of growth oriented and large-scale ventures, and (3) to develop economic and market intelligence to support growth of the related industries.
The Product Center forms a bridge between entrepreneurs and support services, offering business/marketing resources and technical/scientific resources, while drawing from a blend of internal expertise and external partnering of MSU campus staff, faculty, specialists, a statewide innovation counselor network, and various external public and private partners. It is the Product Center director that manages this “doorway” into the university and all of the associated resources necessary to execute the primary vision of "being the go-to place for venture development assistance and market assessment research in the food, agriculture and bio-processing sectors of Michigan." Over the nearly 15 years since its inception, the Product Center participated in the launching of more than 500 known new businesses and business expansions, increased annual sales nearly $500 million (cumulative first year sales only), increased the value of investment $463 million, created 2,638 jobs and retained 2,080 jobs. The Center recently launched a new $5.5 million facility called the Food Processing and Innovation Center (FPIC) that houses a universal food processing plant to serve the expansion and scale-up needs of larger growth-oriented food businesses. This one-of-a-kind facility has further expanded the reach of the Product Center within the food sector. The Product Center’s stakeholders eagerly look forward to the identification of a new director that will bring new energy and leadership.
In addition to a well-established base of stakeholder supporters, the Product Center benefits from its alignment with Michigan State University Extension, a statewide organization with more than 600 employees geographically dispersed throughout Michigan (https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/). The Product Center staff includes a 10-member network of MSU Extension trained innovation counselors providing local linkages to clientele throughout Michigan. As part of the MSU Extension Community, Food and Environment Institute, the Product Center director will have access to a business support office and grant support team in addition to strong local community linkages. The Product Center also maintains an affiliation with a team of Ph.D. and M.S. holders with a broad set of food production expertise, including process authority review, nutrition labeling, sensory analysis, and meat processing expertise, and the campus assets of a top-100 university with a strong focus on the food and agricultural sectors and value-chain development.
Michigan State University Extension seeks an individual with the personal and intellectual skills and experience to manage a university center with a creative and entrepreneurial spirit by upholding the visions of the University and Product Center, and by strategically engaging internal and external stakeholders.
Characteristic Duties/Responsibilities
Required DegreeBachelors -Business, Economics, Food Science, Value Desired DegreeMasters -Business, Economics, Food Science, Value Minimum Requirements
Desired Qualifications
Required Application MaterialsCurrent resume/CV Cover letter Four (4) professional references, including at least two (2), current or prior, supervisors Special InstructionsThis position is a full-time, fixed term end-dated appointment renewable annually based upon successful performance and continued funding.
MSU StatementMichigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
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Extension Educator-Fixed | East Lansing, Michigan |
Michigan State University | 1 Month Ago |
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