Sr. Manager Lab Operations - Analytical Chemistry

Sotera Health Company; Nelson; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Sotera Health Company is seeking a Sr. Manager Lab Operations at Nelson Labs in the UK. In this role, you will oversee the Analytical Chemistry department, ensuring operational excellence and regulatory compliance while managing a team to meet strategic objectives. Ideal candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree, substantial operations experience, and knowledge of Analytical Chemistry principles. The position emphasizes leadership, effective communication, and cross-functional collaboration to enhance laboratory performance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive operations experience with 3+ years of leadership experience.
• Knowledge of Analytical Chemistry principles including Extractables & Leachables testing.
• Experience with gas & liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Analytical Chemistry department's operations and strategic oversight.
• Manage direct reports to meet volume growth and quality standards.
• Work cross-functionally to grow laboratory offerings.

Skills

People management capability

Problem solving

Good communication skills

Project management

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor degree in Laboratory science

Chemistry related scientific education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

At Nelson Labs, our Analytical Chemistry department plays a vital role in conducting chemical characterization and Extractables & Leachable testing to ensure products are safe for patients worldwide. We are looking for a department leader ready to step into a meaningful management role that can help shape the present and future successes of the team. The position is ideal for a leader with a passion for analytical chemistry and for driving operational excellence.

The Sr. Manager Lab Operations will lead the Analytical Chemistry department at Nelson Labs Salt Lake City.

Department Level Operations & Strategic Oversight

• Lead the competitive advantage efforts of your business area with tracking and improvement of the department’s key performance indicators (quality, utilization, turnaround times, etc.) and objectives in accordance with Nelson Labs’ performance goals.
• Lead the effort to improve and maintain quality of services by trending quality issues and by developing action plans with the Quality Assurance Department and employees.
• Work cross-functionally with the Sales and Consulting teams to grow the business offerings of your laboratory and increase profitable volume growth.
• Work with the Director of Laboratory Operations (DLO) to execute the Nelson Labs’ business unit strategy and ensure alignment with One Company values, mission, and goals.

Customer Focus

• Ensure the NL service standard is known and practiced.
• Lead the emphasis to leverage systems and drive overall competitiveness.
• Intervene to address escalated client issues.

Talent Management

• Manage direct reports as they work to carry out the profitable volume growth, quality, service delivery, employee engagement and other department objectives.
• Regularly meet one on one with direct reports.
• Ensure that personnel receive adequate communication and direction to perform their job functions by setting clear performance standards and expectations.
• Work with the HR team to develop succession plans for SME and key roles to maintain business continuity.
• Partner with the HR team to retain talent.
• Support the focus on manager development.
• Preserve the company focus on data and personal integrity. Ensure regulatory compliance is maintained.
• Guide implementation of all company safety initiatives.

Operational Excellence – working with VP Operations & SLT

• Understand and manage business unit P&L, budget and financial metrics.
• Plan for business resources, personnel, CapEx using financial models and ROI.
• Maintain and monitor production metrics in accordance with NL performance goals.
• Scheduling – optimize testing workflow across departments and ensure resources and personnel are adequate to accomplish the work in process and to meet business needs with client expectations for delivery and service.
• Work on continuous improvement to increase efficiencies and reduce waste.
• Manage and control expenditures within agreed upon budgets.
• Manage utilization and key production metrics with visibility to staff.
• Oversee the development and execution of the section training program to ensure resource availability and business continuity.
• Manage and forecast supply chain to minimize or eliminate testing interruptions.

Change Management

• Support the DLOs and other leaders during mergers or acquisitions; provide support to key stakeholders to ensure that integration of new sites are successful.
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts with internal departments.

Regulatory Compliance

• Know and follow applicable regulatory requirements (GMP, GLP, ISO, etc.).
• Know and follow company policies and procedures.
• Complete required training on time.

Professionalism

• Attend work regularly and reliably.
• Adhere to all policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education And Experience Requirements

• Bachelor degree and two or more years applicable supervisory experience required; Laboratory science education, experience, or certifications preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive operations experience with 3+ years of leadership experience is required.
• Chemistry related scientific education and some business/management training is preferred.
• Knowledge of Analytical Chemistry principles including Extractables & Leachables testing, gas & liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, ISO10993, and ISO18562 is highly preferred.

Business/Management Training Required

• Leadership experience and development

Competencies Of This Position

• Strong people management capability
• Ability to manage priorities and organize time
• Good communication skills – written and verbal
• Problem solving – employee issues, laboratory processes, customer challenges
• Must be able to work cross functionally and break down silos to ensure we deliver an excellent customer experience
• Be a change advocate
• Strong project management abilities
• Persuasion and negotiation skills with staff at all levels of the organization
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, especially with Excel and Outlook

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office and lab environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, keyboards, computer mouse, phones, photocopiers, projectors and file cabinets. This role occasionally enters into the lab to perform work.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to move/traverse 10% of the day and remain in a stationary sitting/standing position at a desk while using a computer, keyboard, computer mouse and phone 90% of the day. This position does not require heavy lifting greater than 50 lbs.