The posting
THE ROLE
As Operations Support Manager (Equipment, Materials and Logistics), you will be responsible for the management and coordinated delivery of RoukenBio's Equipment Management and Inventory & Logistics functions. Your teams provide the equipment, materials, sample and logistics support required for scientific operations to deliver customer work safely, compliantly and on time.
WHAT WE EXPECT YOU TO DO
Key responsibilities:
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.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR FROM YOU
We would like you to have the following:
• 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.
WHAT YOU’LL GET FROM US
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).
