Operations Manager

Position Summary The incumbent is responsible for managing a department and providing leadership to departmental supervisors in the activities of their subordinates in compliance with Standard Operating Procedures in the execution of testing client samples. Accountable for department performance, including productivity, quality, cost, and staffing outcomes. Qualifications Desired ● Experience managing multiple teams or supervisors within a laboratory or operational environment ● Demonstrated success in improving operational performance, including productivity, quality, and turnaround time ● Experience with resource planning, including staffing, scheduling, and workload management ● Strong coaching and leadership skills with a track record of developing supervisors and building effective teams ● Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives or implementing process enhancements ● Ability to analyze operational data and translate insights into actionable improvements ● Experience working in a fast-paced, high-volume, or complex operational environment ● Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to partner effectively across departments Essential Functions and Responsibilities ● Responsible for the performance and operations of a defined department or functional area within the laboratory ● Leads and manages departmental supervisors and teams to ensure effective execution of laboratory operations ● Establishes operational priorities and allocates resources to meet business objectives and client expectations ● Makes decisions regarding staffing, scheduling, workflow, and resource allocation to ensure efficient and effective operations ● Monitors key performance indicators (KPIs), identifies gaps, and drives action plans to improve overall department performance ● Ensures compliance with quality systems, regulatory requirements, and company policies; partners with Quality to address non-conformances and implement corrective actions. ● Leads hiring, onboarding, development, and performance management of direct reports, building a strong and capable team. ● Supports the development of supervisors, providing coaching and guidance to strengthen leadership capability and team effectiveness ● Drives continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, capacity utilization, and overall department performance ● Partners with cross-functional teams (e.g., Client Services, Quality, Sales, and other departments) to ensure alignment and successful execution of operational and business objectives ● Oversees the implementation of new methods, equipment, or processes within the department, ensuring readiness, training, and successful integration into operations ● Communicates operational performance, risks, and priorities to site leadership, providing updates and recommendations as needed ● Ensures appropriate response to operational challenges, including client needs, staffing constraints, and workflow disruptions, adjusting plans as necessary to maintain performance ● Serves as a key escalation point for operational issues within the department and ensures timely resolution ● Other related duties as assigned. ● At any time, the incumbent must behave and operate in an ethical and Code of Conduct compliant manner. Communication ● Laboratory Director / Site Leadership: Regularly communicates to provide updates on department performance, operational risks, resource needs, and progress against key priorities. Escalates issues and provides recommendations for resolution ● Supervisors and Department Teams: Provides direction, sets expectations, and ensures alignment on operational priorities. Coaches and supports supervisors to drive team performance and development ● Cross-Functional Teams: Partners with functions such as Client Services, Quality, Sales, and other operational departments to ensure alignment, resolve issues, and support successful execution of business objectives ● Clients: Communicates with clients as needed to address operational questions, resolve issues, and ensure service expectations are met ● Corporate / Support Functions: Collaborates with HR, Finance, Quality, and other support teams on matters related to staffing, performance, compliance, and operational initiatives ● Other Locations: Maintains communication with peers across locations to share best practices, align on processes, and support network consistency