Lab Service Ops (Operations) Lead

Company Description

With manufacturing sites across the US, UK, Germany and Denmark, LGC Biosearch Technologies has plans to continue growing. We deliver mission critical genomics to our diverse customer base in molecular diagnostics, pharma/biotech and agrigenomics. Our integrated portfolio of products, services and expertise supports our purpose of Science for a Safer World and we have embodied our mission by working with customers to enable research into life-altering treatment for disease and illness worldwide. We are currently seeking candidates who are up for the challenge of operating in a high-growth, purpose-driven organisation.

Job Description

The Lab Services Ops Lead will provide key support to the North American NGS Services business in the following areas: lead coordination of service laboratory DNA library preparation wet lab activities by consulting directly with Lab Services Project Management, provide general mentorship and guidance to a team lab services technicians, lead process improvement efforts and/or the onboarding of new services through coordination with other departments, and spearhead efforts to onboard new methods and new technologies as directed by key stakeholders. The Lab Services Ops Lead will aid the Project Management team as needed, which may include occasional start-to-finish management of NGS Services projects, and troubleshooting in coordination with the larger team.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the following essential functions satisfactorily:

• Coordinate the regular lab services workflows and operational processes, including scheduling of tasks and identifying project priorities; provide day-to-day guidance to members of the lab services team in these areas as needed
• Lead on-the-job training of new Lab Services employees
• Identify and implement process improvements based on first-hand observation, team recommendations, and data review; lead efforts to drive improvements to increase quality, throughput, and workflow simplicity
• Ensure Lab Services team adheres to approved protocols and good documentation practices
• Lead efforts to evaluate onboard new technologies in the service lab with guidance from Lab Services Management, R&D, and other stakeholders; represent Lab Services group in structured NPD projects as necessary
• Generate high-quality documentation consistent with LGC’s quality systems
• Perform Lab Services activities in a manner consistent with established quality systems; independently perform assigned duties in these areas
• Support the Lab Services Project Management team as needed to ensure timely delivery of customer data.
• Effectively communicate results to the Lab Services team
• Perform other duties as required to meet business needs

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree or applicable industry training in relevant life sciences field (molecular biology, microbiology, biochemistry, etc.) with 2+ years’ experience in an operations role within the life sciences industry (biotech, pharma)
• Demonstrated experience with next generation sequencing (NGS) workflows including library preparation, and data interpretation/analysis
• Demonstrated experience in molecular biology/NGS manufacturing and/or laboratory services
• Proficiency in management, troubleshooting, and analysis of large datasets
• Technical competency to understand and to clearly discuss fundamental theory and principles of experimental design, techniques and results with and Lab Services team and leadership; to stay current in technical knowledge; to troubleshoot and provide feedback to the NGS laboratory team.
• Demonstrated ability to work well within a fast-paced, dynamic, and team-oriented environment
• Effective communication skills with technical staff, peers, and customers
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a high-throughput service laboratory
• Experience mentoring and guiding junior laboratory staff
• Experience using ERP systems
• Experience onboarding and operating laboratory automation equipment

 Competencies & Behaviours:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an aptitude for mentoring junior employees in technically complex workflows
• Ability to gather and organize information, interpret and develop appropriate recommendations for effective action
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions to effectively meet production needs
• Demonstrated autonomy: ability to self-start and drive whilst recognising the ap