Operations Manager

IDEXX•Columbia, MO

18d•$140,000•Onsite

About The Position

As an Operations Manager, based in Columbia, Missouri, you will be part of the IDEXX BioAnalytics (IBA) division. IBA is a dynamic and growing business that has been providing non-clinical pathology services, animal health monitoring diagnostics, and biological testing services for more than 40 years. We serve innovators in the biomedical and life science fields from highly respected educational institutions to world-class pharmaceutical companies and independent researchers developing life-changing therapeutics. This will be an exciting opportunity to leverage your leadership abilities to coordinate daily lab operations, including: planning, people management, and delivering results. The focus on enhancing the lives of people and pets starts with our own employees and empowering them to achieve their goals, focusing on continuous improvement, and supporting the strong collaboration and inclusiveness that exist in our teams. You will be joining an innovative and fast-paced work environment with a strong focus on employee culture and development. The Operations Manager role in Columbia, MO is responsible for overseeing the direct management and day to day operations of a core location in our BioAnalytics division, where we support over 4,000 research organizations with innovative bioanalytical solutions.

Requirements

5+ years experience leading lab teams in a regulated environment.
Bachelor’s degree or higher in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related scientific field.
Experienced change agent, with Lean experience, and applied/implemented this experience in a Lean environment.
Proven successful track record of managing multiple teams with a focus on meeting customer expectations, capacity planning, employee performance, and development skills.
Developed and/or implemented strategies in place for keeping frontline employees engaged.
Ability to adapt departmental plans and priorities to address resource and the operational challenges of a global company.
Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with an ability to effectively present information to various audiences including senior management and those who report to you.
Proficient in the use of CoPilot (and other GenAI tools), Excel, Word, PowerBI, and other applications and are comfortable with high computer use.
Excel at organizing, prioritizing and directing work activities.
Track record of successful project management skills and abilities.
Must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this role.

Responsibilities

Provide Operational Leadership: Lead daily laboratory operations to ensure timely and accurate processing of customer samples.
Optimize workflows, staffing models, and resource allocation to meet volume demands and service level commitments.
Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including TAT, throughput, quality metrics, and cost efficiency.
Partner cross-functionally with logistics, customer support, IT, and scientific teams to ensure seamless operations.
Provide People Leadership & Development: Oversee diagnostic testing teams, including Supervisors and individual contributors in a fast-paced, high-throughput work environment.
Manage, coach, and develop a team of supervisors, technologists, scientists and technicians.
Foster a high-performance, inclusive, and safety-first culture.
Drive employee engagement, retention, and career development through IDPs and ongoing feedback.
Ensure appropriate staffing coverage, including after-hours/weekend operations as needed.
Foster a Quality & Compliance culture: Ensure adherence to all applicable regulatory and quality standards (e.g., GLP, ISO, USDA, CAP/CLIA as applicable).
Maintain audit readiness and lead internal/external audits and inspections.
Oversee investigation and resolution of deviations, non-conformances, and customer complaints.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality and reduce errors.
Ensure strong Customer Experience focus: Partner with commercial and scientific affairs teams to ensure exceptional customer service.
Proactively address service disruptions and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Support onboarding of new assays, technologies, and customer programs.
Focus on Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, scalability, and automation.
Support digital initiatives including LIMS enhancements and data integrity improvements.
Contribute to strategic initiatives such as lab expansions and new service offerings.
Provide Financial & Business Management: Manage operational budgets, including labor, consumables, and capital investments.
Drive productivity improvements while maintaining quality and compliance.
Support forecasting, capacity planning, and long-term growth strategies.