Shift Manager

A remote life sciences laboratory seeks a Senior Operations Manager to lead and improve round-the-clock workflows in an innovative setting. As part of the Lab Operations Leadership Team, you will ensure reliable, scalable and compliant services, support revenue growth and meet customer commitments.

You will guide teams across all shifts, drive continuous improvement and collaborate across functions to advance scientific progress. Flexible working, pension contributions and training fuel success.

Key Responsibilities:

As Senior Operations Manager, you will oversee seamless laboratory operations across multiple shifts, ensuring consistent performance, rigorous quality, and regulatory compliance. You will lead workforce planning, recruitment, onboarding, training, and professional development while fostering engagement and accountability. By defining and monitoring key performance indicators, you will identify bottlenecks and drive continuous improvement in throughput, efficiency, and turnaround times. You will also manage inventory logistics and supply levels to maintain uninterrupted laboratory functions. Collaboration with department leaders will support root cause investigations, operational readiness, and company-wide growth initiatives.

• Oversee 24/7 laboratory operations, staffing, scheduling, workflow performance, and uninterrupted service delivery.
• Lead laboratory teams across all shifts, including recruitment, onboarding, training, development, and engagement.
• Set expectations, strengthen accountability, and track KPIs for throughput, efficiency, quality, and turnaround times.
• Identify bottlenecks, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
• Manage inventory operations, including receiving, material registration, storage, tracking, and stock control.

Key Requirements:

You will bring senior operations leadership experience in a regulated manufacturing or laboratory environment, with strong knowledge of cGMP, FDA, and ISO standards. A solid academic background and proven success guiding diverse teams through growth and change are essential. You will use KPIs and data-driven insights to improve workflows, performance, and operational efficiency. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills will support employee engagement, inventory control, supply chain coordination, and material registration. A master’s degree, Lean or Six Sigma certification, and familiarity with coding languages are desirable.

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field; a relevant master’s degree is preferred.
• At least five years of operations or manufacturing engineering experience in a regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or laboratory environment.
• Strong knowledge of cGMP, FDA, and ISO requirements, with experience using KPIs and data-driven methods to improve performance.
• Proven ability to lead diverse, multi-shift teams through growth and operational complexity while supporting inclusion, engagement, and retention.
• Strong inventory and supply chain coordination skills; startup leadership, Python, R, or Mathematica exposure, and Lean or Six Sigma certification are preferred.

What sets this company apart:

This organization advances remote life sciences research by enabling scientists to design, run, and analyze experiments from anywhere through a single software interface and state-of-the-art laboratory equipment. Employees receive flexible working options, generous pension contributions, and robust training that supports technical development and career progression. An inclusive, collaborative culture and supportive leadership foster shared success, while dependable service has established the organization as a trusted partner in scientific advancement.

What's next:

If interested in this position, please contact Kevin Rain at kevin.rain@robertwalters.com