Operational Excellence Project Lead

ARUP Laboratories, Inc; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ARUP Laboratories, Inc is seeking an Operational Excellence Project Lead to drive projects that enhance efficiency, quality, and performance across operations. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or a related field, along with five years of experience in project management within complex environments. Responsibilities include overseeing projects from planning to implementation, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, and engaging diverse stakeholders. Experience with enterprise systems in a lab context is essential. Preferred qualifications include Lean and Six Sigma certifications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business, or a related field.
• Five years of experience leading cross-functional projects in complex or regulated environments.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage diverse stakeholder needs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full lifecycle of assigned projects.
• Translate high-level priorities into actionable tasks supporting strategic goals.
• Support adoption of new processes through effective communication and training.

Skills

Project management

Strong communication

Relationship-building

Cross-functional collaboration

Managing timelines and risks

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Life Sciences or related field

Tools

Enterprise systems (e.g., LIMS, ERP, QMS)

Job description

Schedule

Monday - Friday (40 hrs/wk) 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Department

Program Management - 816

This position is on-site.

Job Description/Primary Purpose

The Operational Excellence Project Lead is responsible for executing projects that improve efficiency, quality, and performance across operational functions. This role leads initiatives from planning through implementation, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and cross-functional collaboration delivering measurable results. The Project Leader will work with a wide range of stakeholders including teams across Labs, IT, R&D, Sales & Marketing, Finance, Facilities, and more bringing structure, accountability, and visibility to key initiatives and ensuring teams work toward shared goals while supporting a culture of continuous improvement. This is a hands‑on role requiring strong collaboration, clear communication, and the ability to manage competing priorities while keeping teams focused and results‑driven

Essential Functions

• Oversee the full lifecycle of assigned projects—defining scope, setting timelines, tracking progress, and ensuring successful implementation. Ensure goals are clear, progress is steady, and results are measurable.
• Translate high‑level priorities into actionable projects that directly support the organization’s strategic goals.
• Bring together diverse teams and perspectives to ensure all areas of impact are considered.
• Support adoption of new processes and ways of working through effective communication, training, and stakeholder engagement.
• Establish clear roles, track performance metrics, manage risks, and keep all stakeholders informed and engaged.
• Apply common tools, templates, and methods to create structure, transparency, and consistency across initiatives. Contribute to initiatives that enhance project management processes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical and Other Requirements

• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Mobility: The person in this position needs to occasionally move between work sites and inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Communicate: Frequently and effectively communicate with others.
• PPE: Biohazard laboratory environment that requires use of personal protective equipment in accordance with CDC and OSHA regulations and company policies.
• ARUP Policies and Procedures: To conduct self in compliance with all ARUP Policies and Procedures.
• Fine Motor Control: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Travel: Ability to travel 30% of time.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's Degree or better in Life Sciences or related field.

Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Business, or a related field
• Five (5) years of experience leading cross‑functional projects in a complex or regulated environment
• Strong project management skills with an ability to manage timelines, risks, and diverse stakeholder needs
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills across all levels of the organization
• Experience with enterprise systems (e.g., LIMS, ERP, QMS) in a regulated or lab operational environment

Preferred

• Certification in Lean, Six Sigma, PMP, or similar methodologies

Licenses & Certifications

• Lean Six Sigma

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.