At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and schedule shifts for clinical trials, ensuring participant safety and project needs are met.
- Company: Join Fortrea, a leading Clinical Research Organisation with state-of-the-art facilities.
- Benefits: Full-time hours, competitive pay, training provided, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and learning.
- Why this job: Be part of groundbreaking research that could save lives and witness new medicines in action.
- Qualifications: Experience in planning or scheduling, ideally for large teams; clinical background is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Have you ever thought that your planning/scheduling skills could save lives? As one of the world’s largest Clinical Research Organizations, Fortrea operates four ultramodern Clinical Research Units in the UK and US. Our crown jewel is Drapers Yard in Leeds—a brand-new, state-of-the-art 65,000 ft² clinic with 100 beds, fully dedicated to Phase I clinical research, just a 7‑minute walk from the train station! Our clinic is expanding, and we're looking for our next Operations Planner/Scheduler.
Role Details
- This is a 12-month contract.
- Office-based, full-time, with 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday during business hours.
- Overtime may be required based on business needs, compensated with either flexi time or enhanced pay.
On a typical day, you will… Work in International Phase 1 clinical trials, where the key question we all work to answer here in Drapers Yard is: Will a new medicine be safe? Under this framework, you will be responsible for day-to-day rota planning and shift scheduling, coordinating the allocation of key teams’ personnel to the different clinical projects, ensuring all clinical procedures and participant safety activities are covered 24/7.
You will:
- Review study tasks daily to assess staffing needs, scheduling team members accordingly to always meet study specific requirements.
- Develop and maintain detailed shift rota covering over 50 colleagues from various teams (physicians, nurses, Lab Techs, screening, etc.).
- Manage emergencies swiftly ensuring the clinic is always staffed.
- Coordinate with the Planning Team and the Clinic’s Leadership to align staffing needs with project timelines.
- Contribute to weekly logistics meetings, discussing staffing needs and study requirements.
Additionally, you may perform taking vital signs and ECG procedures when needed.
Who you are
Clinical background is a plus, but not required - we have a robust training program in place for you to learn the specifics of our operations. What we need is you bring experience as a planner or scheduler performing rota or workloads planning and shift scheduling, ideally for large teams. Where you may have gained your planning expertise? In industries such as: Gas, telecommunications, transportation, water, repair, hospitality, etc.
Key Skills
- Accuracy, attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.
- Confidence (i.e. being comfortable asking colleagues to adjust shifts or take on additional work at short notice).
- MS Office Suite proficiency, especially in Excel as you will use it daily for running reports.
- Excel skills with formulas and formatting are important in this job.
- Educated to GCSE level.
If you are not familiar with blood extraction, taking vitals or using ECGs, don't worry - we´ll train you. However, you should be comfortable with needles and handling biological or radiolabeled materials.
Why Fortrea?
Be part of something extraordinary: only our Leeds site will offer you the opportunity to witness firsthand new medicines being researched in real time. When the drug you worked on gets approved, you’ll know you’ve made a global impact on patient’s lives around the world.
Learn more about our EEO & Accommodations request here. Fortrea is an equal opportunity employer.
Operations Planner / Scheduler in Leeds employer: Fortrea
Fortrea is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at Drapers Yard in Leeds, a cutting-edge facility dedicated to Phase I clinical research. With a strong emphasis on employee growth through comprehensive training programmes and a supportive work culture, you will play a vital role in ensuring the safety of new medicines while enjoying benefits such as flexible working hours and competitive pay. Join us to make a meaningful impact on global health and be part of a team that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Planner / Scheduler in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and role thoroughly. Understand their mission and values, especially how they relate to clinical research. This will help you tailor your answers and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on showcasing your planning and scheduling skills, and how they can contribute to the team at Fortrea.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Fortrea team and making a difference in clinical research.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Planner / Scheduler in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Planner / Scheduler role. Highlight your planning and scheduling experience, especially if you've worked with large teams. We want to see how your skills can save lives!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about clinical research and how your background fits the role. Let us know what excites you about working at Fortrea.
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to mention your MS Office Suite proficiency, particularly in Excel. We love seeing candidates who can handle data with accuracy and attention to detail, so give us examples of how you've used these skills in past roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you one step closer to joining our amazing team at Fortrea!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fortrea
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of an Operations Planner/Scheduler in a clinical research setting. Familiarise yourself with the basics of rota planning and shift scheduling, especially in high-pressure environments. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the position.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with planning and scheduling, particularly for large teams. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate how you've successfully managed staffing needs and handled emergencies. Highlight your proficiency in Excel, as this is crucial for the job.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the clinic's operations and how the planning team collaborates with other departments. This shows that you're not only interested in the role but also eager to understand how you can contribute to the team's success.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
Since the role involves working under pressure, be prepared to discuss how you handle stressful situations. Share examples of times when you've had to make quick decisions or adapt to sudden changes in staffing needs. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.
