At Wild Bio we are radically enhancing crops to feed the world sustainably and promote a wilder planet. Wild plants have had half a billion years to evolve natural solutions for thriving in almost every environment on Earth. Our proprietary genetics platform harnesses these wild innovations to enhance the world's most important crops. Wild-enhanced crops would simultaneously boost farm yields and promote gigaton-scale carbon mitigation strategies. If you're looking for a start-up that has enormous potential for impact on growers, consumers, and the planet, please read on.
Wild Bio is a well-funded, fast-paced Oxford University spin-out working from state-of-the-art labs and offices at Milton Park, Oxfordshire. We are about to enter an exciting phase of growth and are looking for a driven, and curious Operations Manager to join us and significantly contribute to delivering the change we believe in.
Our values:
Our work is guided by three core values that define who we are and how we approach our mission:
Curiosity: We fuel our desire to explore the unknown, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and sparking innovation. We ask questions, seek answers, and embrace lifelong learning.
Community: We believe in the strength and support gained through collaboration and inclusion. As part of a global community, we nurture connections to drive meaningful impact for both people and planet.
Courage: We face challenges head-on, take calculated risks, and stand up for our beliefs. Our bravery propels us to take action, even in the face of adversity.
If these values resonate with you, we invite you to join our team of passionate scientists and innovators working at the cutting edge of bioscience.
The role:
We are hiring an Operations Manager to oversee laboratory facilities across our three sites. You will lead the design, setup, and daily operations of high-throughput labs, ensuring equipment, infrastructure, and processes meet our scientific, health and safety, and quality standards.
You will be the day-to-day lead for laboratory Health & Safety across our sites, owning the systems and routines that keep our teams safe and ensure we remain compliant (including risk assessments/COSHH, SOPs, training, inspections, incident and near-miss reporting, and corrective actions).
You will have ownership of delivering operational excellence, with a key focus on process execution to enable scientific teams to deliver on the company's R&D goals.
This is a busy, lab-based role where high standards, a focus on delivery, and a problem-solving approach are essential for success. You will work closely with the Lab Assistants to drive continuous improvement, operating more effectively and efficiently. This is a highly collaborative, high-impact role critical to the success of our labs and company goals.
Detailed responsibilities
Facility Design and Development
Work with design and construction teams to build fit-for-purpose research facilities
Liaise with suppliers to procure equipment, consumables, and accessories
Ensure required licences, permits, and regulations are met (e.g., GM compliance where applicable, COSHH, PPE, SOPs, waste handling)
Work with teams to establish and embed systems such as LIMS, QMS, EMS, and BMS
Facility Management
Oversee daily laboratory operations, ensuring efficient workflow and high standards of housekeeping and operational readiness
Own and embed lab H&S routines, including inductions, training records, inspections, and follow-up actions
Monitor critical lab conditions (temperature, humidity, air quality)
Assess and support structural, mechanical, or electrical modifications; optimise space and equipment for diverse research needs
Develop and maintain daily/weekly checks to ensure the lab is kept to a high standard in efficiency, safety, and good working order
Equipment Management
Ensure equipment, consumables, and reagents are maintained and available for research use
Oversee maintenance, calibration, qualification, and troubleshooting of instruments
Manage deep clean schedules for equipment
Maintain lab cleanliness, space optimisation, and operational readiness of all equipment
Work with external vendors for equipment servicing and repairs, including service contracts and engineer visits
Operational Support
Develop, implement, and improve SOPs to ensure consistent and compliant processes
Troubleshoot workflow issues to prevent delays in project timelines
Manage glassware cleaning and autoclaving to ensure teams have what they need
Manage the lab ticketing system, ensuring tickets are assigned, updated, and closed in a timely manner
Work with scientists to prepare stock solutions and media using established lab protocols
Inventory and Supply Chain Management
Manage inventory in collaboration with R&D and Finance
Coordinate procurement to secure necessary materials and resources
Manage consumables stock control with the Lab Assistants to ensure buffer stocks are maintained
Track and document inventory, ensuring timely resupply to avoid delays
Manage goods-in, ensuring deliveries are handled promptly with appropriate COSHH, stock control, and communication steps
Maintain systems for handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials safely and compliantly, including waste disposal in a contained environment
Collaboration with Research and Development Teams
Work with scientific leadership to align facilities with research needs and objectives
Act as a key lab contact, including out-of-hours support when needed
Ensure laboratory operations support scientific timelines and goals; contribute to project planning and strategy
Quality Assurance and Compliance
Ensure compliance with health and safety, regulatory, and quality standards
Support internal and external audits and inspections, including preparation and close-out actions
Maintain documentation of processes, workflows, and sample handling in line with requirements
Lead by example on health and safety, proactively identifying risks and implementing improvements
Knowledge and skills
Essential
Significant laboratory experience, including management or supervisory exposure
Proven experience managing a high-throughput laboratory and overseeing both equipment and staff
Demonstrable experience leading laboratory Health & Safety, including COSHH/risk assessments, SOPs, training and induction, inspections, and incident/near-miss follow-up
Strong leadership and team management skills, capable of motivating and developing diverse teams
Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills in high-tech or complex laboratory environments
Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
In-depth knowledge of laboratory operations, equipment maintenance, and regulatory compliance expectations
Familiarity with quality management systems and regulatory frameworks (e.g., GLP/ISO)
Proficiency with laboratory management software, inventory systems, and data tracking tools
Effective communication skills and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
Detail-oriented, analytical, and able to make critical decisions under pressure
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a flexible, solutions-focused approach
Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient, and compliant laboratory environment
A curious and courageous mindset – someone who enjoys trying new things and taking initiative
A desire to develop your skills, share your knowledge, and support the growth of your teammates
Desirable
Experience working within start-ups, scale-ups, or rapidly evolving R&D environments
Previous responsibility for scaling laboratory facilities or implementing new systems (e.g., LIMS, QMS, EMS, BMS)
Health & Safety qualifications such as NEBOSH General Certificate and/or IOSH Managing Safely (or equivalent), plus certifications such as First Aid at Work or Fire Warden
Benefits:
Group life cover x 4 of base salary
Critical illness cover x 4 of base salary
Pension scheme with a 5% Company contribution
Private medical insurance including dental and optical
Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
Regular company socials
Complimentary refreshments throughout the week
Team meals including breakfast on a Monday and lunch each Friday
Training and development opportunities
Opportunity to work with cutting edge science
Location
We're headquartered in Milton Park, a business and technology park in Oxfordshire. While we do offer flexible and hybrid working, we are also a small, fast-paced team working on cutting-edge science, and we believe the relationships forged and the work we do in-person will be crucial for our success. For this reason, we are asking that applicants be able to work on-site.
The successful candidate will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.