VP Operations — Food Lab Growth & Quality Leader

Lever, Inc.; Kannapolis, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

WISEcode Labs, located in Kannapolis, NC, seeks a hands-on VP of Operations to lead end-to-end laboratory operations, drive operational excellence, and ensure quality and safety are built into every process. The role partners with executive leadership to scale throughput, utilization, and cost efficiency while maintaining scientific integrity and data provenance.

The candidate will oversee staffing, scheduling, and capital deployment, while aligning testing capabilities with ISO 17025 standards

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership in analytical laboratory or high-throughput regulated services.
• Experience owning operating budgets, margins, staffing, throughput and quality metrics.
• Proven ability to scale laboratory operations while maintaining scientific integrity.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end laboratory operations from sample receipt to final report.
• Drive quality, safety, and audit readiness in partnership with Quality.
• Lead capability expansion, labor planning, and KPI-driven continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Quality systems

Lab operations

Data-driven

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, microbiology, food science, engineering, operations, or related field

Tools

LIMS

QBench

Job description

WISEcode Labs, located in Kannapolis, NC, seeks a hands-on VP of Operations to lead end-to-end laboratory operations, drive operational excellence, and ensure quality and safety are built into every process. The role partners with executive leadership to scale throughput, utilization, and cost efficiency while maintaining scientific integrity and data provenance.

The candidate will oversee staffing, scheduling, and capital deployment, while aligning testing capabilities with ISO 17025 standards