Operations Support Manager

Operational Support Management and Planning

• Manage the Equipment Management and Inventory & Logistics functions as two specialist teams within one coordinated operational-support portfolio.
• Plan and allocate workload across the teams, balancing routine activity, maintenance and qualification windows, projects and unplanned issues.
• Work with Study Managers, Scientific/Operational leaders and the Facilities Manager to anticipate demand, identify constraints and prevent avoidable disruption to customer delivery.
• Use performance data, KPI, trends and recurring issues to drive improvements and provide clear updates on risks, service performance and required decisions.
• Own the effectiveness of systems and processes used across the portfolio, including relevant LIMS, inventory, equipment and procurement workflows.
• Ensure new processes are properly designed, documented, trained and embedded rather than relying on informal workarounds.
• Support expansion and site-development projects where equipment moves, new equipment, storeroom capacity, logistics routes, material flows or operational support requirements are affected.
• Take ownership of delegated Operational Support projects and ensure actions, risks and decisions are managed to completion.

Laboratory Equipment Management

• Hold management accountability for the laboratory-equipment lifecycle, ensuring maintenance and qualification schedules are current, risk-based and aligned with operational requirements, with technical work assigned to suitably trained team members.
• Take overall responsibility for the Equipment Monitoring System as a critical part of equipment infrastructure. Ensure the system and associated documentation is up to date and fit for purpose, identify and implement improvements.
• Oversee supplier and engineer performance for equipment service, calibration and repair and intervene where turnaround, quality, cost or reliability is not acceptable.
• Ensure adherence to equipment management and qualification practices and make recommendations on service-contract strategy, supplier choice and cost within agreed authority.
• Coordinate equipment purchasing and installation requirements with Operations, Facilities, Procurement/Finance and Quality, ensuring space, utilities, qualification and operational impacts are considered before commitment.

Materials, Procurement and Inventory

• Ensure minimum-stock approaches, ordering routines and inventory controls are effective, proportionate and adjusted in response to demand, waste, lead times and supply risk.
• Maintain effective relationships with key suppliers and procurement partners, reviewing service, pricing, supply risk and recurring issues and taking action where performance is not acceptable.
• Support financial audits through inventory controls and routine store audit.

Samples, Logistics, Import and Export

• Ensure customer sample receipt, booking, storage, movement, discard and outbound-shipment processes are appropriately resourced, prioritised and completed in line with current procedures.
• Ensure imported and exported materials and samples are managed in line with applicable licences, customs requirements and current legislation, using approved couriers and appropriate specialist advice where required.
• Ensure import-licence and shipment controls remain current and that upcoming or unusual requirements are identified early enough to avoid preventable delays.

Quality, Compliance and Health and Safety

• Ensure processes operate in accordance with the QMS, remain suitable for purpose and changes are implemented effectively.
• Ensure appropriate ownership and timely completion of change controls, deviations, CAPA, risk assessments, COSHH and audit actions within the portfolio.
• Ensure team members understand and follow relevant Health & Safety requirements, including correct handling, storage and disposal of materials and safe equipment-maintenance practices.
• Ensure audit readiness and provide clear management ownership for responding to quality or customer-audit actions affecting the portfolio.

Management and Development

• Set clear expectations for delivery, quality, communication and team behaviours.
• Undertake recruitment and onboarding when required and maintain a forward view of team capacity, skills coverage and succession risk.
• Act as the primary escalation point for day-to-day operational support issues within your area of accountability.
• Work closely with the Facilities Manager and Deputy Facilities Manager to coordinate Operational Support priorities and provide appropriate management cover when required.

• Relevant experience in an operational support, laboratory operations, equipment-management, procurement, materials or logistics environment.
• Previous experience of line managing and developing people.
• Demonstrable experience in at least one of laboratory equipment management/maintenance/qualification or materials/procurement/logistics, together with sufficient operational understanding to manage the combined portfolio.
• Experience managing suppliers, service providers, competing priorities and operational escalations.
• A clear understanding of quality and compliance requirements within a regulated or controlled working environment.
• Experience using operational data or KPIs to manage performance and improve processes.
• Experience within a CRO, biotechnology, laboratory or similarly fast-paced scientific environment would be beneficial.

To support a culture within RoukenBio which is aligned to our company values and behaviours, we would like you to be:

• Able to lead and drive motivation within the team and with wider colleagues and projects in support of achieving the company’s strategy.
• Goal-oriented, able to deliver success for both self and the wider team within required timescales.
• Adaptable to change to achieve the company’s strategy.
• Able to see the big picture and translate this into meaningful decisions/actions.
• An excellent communicator who can foster relationships externally and internally at all levels within the business.
• An engaging and influential leader who will enhance communication and awareness across the company.
• A champion of self-learning and sharing best practice with colleagues in support of employee development.

You will get the chance to learn, grow, develop, and enhance your career within a biotechnology company at the forefront of drug development strategies. In addition, the company offers the following benefits package:

• Competitive salary range of £37,500 to £45,000 depending on experience
• Pension.
• 32 days holiday per annum (inclusive of public holidays) which increases to a maximum of 37.
• Death in Benefit Service which includes access to a 24/7 virtual GP.
• Flexible working.
• Refer a Friend Scheme.
• On-site car parking.
• Free Healthy Snacks.
• Merit Award Recognition Scheme.
• The opportunity to join several committees or focus groups (Employee Engagement, Wellness, Recognition, Health & Safety or Social Committee).