Operations Manager

Mérieux NutriSciences•Allentown, PA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Manager is responsible for managing a laboratory department and providing leadership to departmental supervisors and their teams as they execute testing of client samples in compliance with Standard Operating Procedures. The role is accountable for department performance, including productivity, quality, cost, and staffing outcomes. It is based at 7150 Windsor Drive, Allentown, Pennsylvania. The manager establishes priorities and allocates resources, makes decisions about staffing, scheduling, workflow, and resource allocation, and monitors key performance indicators to identify gaps and improve results. The role ensures compliance with quality systems, regulatory requirements, and company policies; partners with Quality on non-conformances and corrective actions; leads hiring and employee development; and drives continuous improvement and the implementation of new methods, equipment, and processes. The position collaborates with site leadership, supervisors, teams, clients, and cross-functional and corporate support functions to resolve issues and meet operational and business objectives. It communicates performance, risks, resource needs, and priorities, and serves as an escalation point for operational issues. The work combines time on the laboratory floor with office-based administrative and leadership responsibilities. Minimal travel is required, typically less than 10%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, chemistry, food science, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
At least 6 years of relevant laboratory or operational experience.
Prior experience leading supervisors or multiple teams.
Demonstrated ability to manage performance, staffing, and operational priorities.
Strong understanding of laboratory operations, quality systems, and regulatory requirements.
Experience making operational decisions about resources, scheduling, and workflow management.
Ability to analyze data and drive improvements in productivity, quality, and efficiency.
Client-facing experience, including examples of solving operational issues.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing multiple teams or supervisors in a laboratory or operational environment.
Demonstrated success 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 turn insights into actionable improvements.
Experience in a fast-paced, high-volume, or complex operational environment.
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

Manage the performance and operations of a defined laboratory department or functional area.
Lead departmental supervisors and teams to ensure effective execution of laboratory operations.
Establish operational priorities and allocate resources to meet business objectives and client expectations.
Make decisions about staffing, scheduling, workflow, and resource allocation.
Monitor key performance indicators, identify performance gaps, and drive improvement action plans.
Ensure compliance with quality systems, regulatory requirements, and company policies; partner with Quality on non-conformances and corrective actions.
Lead hiring, onboarding, development, and performance management of direct reports.
Coach and support supervisors to strengthen their leadership and team effectiveness.
Drive continuous improvement to enhance efficiency, capacity utilization, and department performance.
Partner with Client Services, Quality, Sales, other departments, and support functions to align work and execute business objectives.
Oversee implementation of new methods, equipment, and processes, including operational readiness and training.
Communicate performance, risks, resource needs, and priorities to site leadership, providing updates and recommendations.
Respond to operational challenges involving client needs, staffing constraints, and workflow disruptions; adjust plans to maintain performance.
Serve as an escalation point for departmental operational issues and ensure timely resolution.
Communicate with clients as needed to address operational questions, resolve issues, and meet service expectations.
Share best practices and align processes with peers at other locations.
Perform other related duties as assigned and act in an ethical manner consistent with the Code of Conduct.