Join us as a Senior Operations Manager and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity! Reporting to the Head of Business Unit, you'll be accountable for the optimisationg and control of laboratory processes and workflow planning to drive efficiencies whilst ensuring that all quality and safety measures are upheld. What you’ll be doing: You'll lead on all efficiency optimisation activities, including space and energy reduction, in line with Business Unit annual targets. This will involve supporting the development and implementation of laboratory automation and robotization including sample processing, data analysis and reporting. The role also involves managing the performance and delivery of several teams and the direct line management of Team Managers, providing inspiring and visible leadership across the Business Unit. You will be responsible for all staff management functions for your Team managers and for improving their teams’ performance through coaching, mentoring, and setting effective goals and objectives as well as leading, delivering and embedding change to optimise utilisation and productivity. Working with Team Managers, scientists, and the business development team as appropriate, you will deploy innovative approaches to scheduling and service delivery leading to improved customer service (turnaround) and higher sample (revenue) volume throughput per (day/month). The way that Fera delivers its science is extremely important and you will be a role model for your colleagues. You will ensure that your teams fully understand the importance of working to specific quality systems, licensing requirements and health and safety practices and that all work is undertaken appropriately. It is important that all Fera Business Units work closely together, and you will be key in maintaining and enhancing communication to provide support where required and share knowledge across the business. What we’re looking for: A BSc or equivalent level qualification in an appropriate subject, plus significant experience working in an operational leadership role, preferably in a scientific Laboratory setting. Experience of delivering continuous improvement in a regulated laboratory setting, monitoring, and evaluating the performance of implemented solutions and making necessary adjustments to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Ability to lead large groups of people through both stable and changing circumstances. Experience with leading and/or contributing to the delivery of projects, on time and to budget. Working knowledge scientific frameworks under which your teams’ science is delivered (Health & Safety, Quality Assurance, licensing) and ensure that all teams are appropriately resourced and empowered to perform appropriately within this framework. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to maintain strong relationships within the team and with other areas of the business and its customers. An understanding of the full requirements of an effective Business Unit operation; understanding what resources (staff, facilities, equipment) teams need to efficiently deliver such services and projects. What’s in it for you? ?25 days’ holiday (rising to 29) with the opportunity to buy extra leave. Flexible working hours, on-site gym, restaurant, and free parking The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice Company matched pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks…and plenty more. Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle – from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology Access to our Employee Network Groups, which represent every strand of diversity and allow colleagues to connect and learn from each other on an open, inclusive platform Fera operates a LTIP ( Long Term Incentive Plan) under which all employees are awarded points towards shares in the Employee Benefits Trust on an annual basis. The Employee Benefits Trust holds shares on behalf of our employee, at the point of an equity event the shares will realise a cash value. What we hope you’ll do next: Choose ‘Apply now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you. If you have any questions you’d like to ask before applying, you can contact We’re an equal opportunity employer, which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. We’re committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. If you need the job description or application form in an alternative format or if you’d like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward, please email at and we’ll get back to you.