Managing Director

Managing Director

Entrepreneur, advocate and strategist for the Dutch mussel sector

The position

The Dutch mussel farming industry is a unique sector. Family-run businesses, some of which have been operating on the water for generations, operate in an environment where nature, food production, entrepreneurship and politics constantly intersect.

The Dutch Mussel Farming Producers’ Organisation (PO Mosselcultuur) represents the interests of these businesses and is working towards an economically and environmentally sustainable future for the sector.

We are looking for a [position] for this organisation Managing Director which bridges the world of business with that of politics, government, science and society.

A wide-ranging and influential role for someone with strong subject knowledge, who works independently and is genuinely committed to the future of a Dutch sector.

The challenge

As Managing Director, you act as the link between the mussel farmers and the world around them.

You know the business owners and understand what regulations, environmental policy or a changing market actually mean for their businesses. At the same time, you sit down with policymakers, scientists, civil society organisations and, on occasion, government ministers themselves.

As a result, you are constantly moving between deck and department.

You analyse complex policy documents, translate scientific findings and regulations into practical terms, and develop well-founded proposals that will help the sector move forward.

You don’t just sit back and wait. The members are businesspeople who are primarily focused on their own companies. You’re expected to look ahead, spot trends, take the initiative and put issues on the agenda before they become a problem.

Your playing field

The scope of the role is wide-ranging. A significant proportion of your time will be spent on advocacy, administrative consultations, the Mussel Covenant, and nature and fisheries legislation.

In addition, you will be working on topics such as:

• European and national policy;
• nature, ecology and economic development;
• scientific research;
• licences, certification and food safety;
• market development, promotion and the mussel auction;
• sustainability and emissions reduction;
• advising members;
• association and organisational matters.

You don’t need to be an expert in every field. What you do need is the ability to get to the heart of a matter quickly, to know when specialist knowledge is required, and to be able to set a course of action based on that.

Doing business on behalf of business owners

This is neither a traditional industry role nor a conventional executive position.

PO Mosselcultuur is a small organisation with a staff of around 2 FTEs. This means short lines of communication, a flat hierarchy and a high degree of personal responsibility. You think strategically, but are just as happy to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in.

Status isn’t important. What matters is substance, trust and results.

You also realise that behind every sector-specific issue there are business owners and families. A decision on nature conservation, planning permission or fisheries policy can have a direct impact on a business that has been in existence for generations.

That is why we are looking for someone who not only understands policy, but also gets a feel for what entrepreneurship is all about.

Who are we looking for?

We are not looking for a candidate who can already tick every box. Above all, we are looking for someone with the intellectual calibre, personality and drive to represent this sector convincingly.

You recognise yourself in many of the following:

• academic standard of work and thinking;
• experience of, or a strong interest in, the agri-food sector, agriculture, fisheries or a similar business sector;
• an understanding of family businesses and entrepreneurship;
• political and administrative acumen and the ability to build high-level relationships;
• strong analytical skills and the ability to grasp complex subject matter quickly;
• convincing in both speech and writing;
• independent, proactive and decisive;
• sufficient business acumen in areas such as finance, legal affairs, human resources and communications;
• approachable and socially skilled, both at the boardroom table and when dealing with business owners on the shop floor.

You can be practical and hands-on one moment, and the next moment be top-flight level operate.

What makes this role special?

You will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the future of an entire Dutch sector.

The playing field touches on some of the major issues of our time: food production, the natural world, climate, the economy and the future of family businesses.

In doing so, you’ll be working closely with the business owners and closely involved in the decision-making process.

The current director will become chair of the board. This will allow for a thorough handover of files, contacts and sector knowledge, whilst enabling you to then clearly develop your own role and direction.

Terms and conditions of employment

This is a full-time position with a basic salary of approximately €105,000 gross per year, plus holiday pay/holiday entitlement, an end-of-year bonus and a company car.

The role requires flexibility. After all, the mussel industry, politics and current affairs do not always stick to office hours.