At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations, improve processes, and build a high-performance culture.
- Company: Join the fast-growing Scientific Safety Alliance, 100% employee-owned.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity ownership, health insurance, and generous paid time off.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with excellent growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in life sciences while driving innovation and efficiency.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in operations, strong leadership skills, and a passion for continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Compensation: Competitive Salary + Ownership Equity
Start Date: ASAP
About Us – Why Join Now
Scientific Safety Alliance, or SSA, exists to Accelerate Science. Delightfully. SSA is growing at an exceptional rate. In a little over 3 years, we have acquired 23 companies, and our growth is only accelerating.
Who do we serve? We serve the life sciences industry, including pharmaceutical, biotech, hospital, and research facilities that rely on us to keep their environments compliant and ready for discovery. Our mission is simple: remove friction so our customers can focus on innovation.
What makes SSA special? SSA is 100% founder- and employee-owned, where every team member has a stake in the outcome. We are one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S., soon to be the fastest growing company in the UK and built on a network of specialized local businesses. Our team takes pride in precision, urgency, and integrity—helping enable the discoveries that shape modern medicine.
The Opportunity:
We are looking for an Operations Manager to lead and scale one of our UK-based businesses in Lancaster. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for owning day-to-day operations, improving processes, building a high-performance culture, and driving the development of a 90% A-Player team. While a background in Lean / Continuous Improvement is preferred, this role is first and foremost about leadership, execution, and achieving successful outcomes.
How You Will Make an Impact
- Own and elevate the day-to-day performance of the business, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery.
- Identify operational bottlenecks and drive rapid, practical solutions that improve speed and reliability.
- Lead process improvement initiatives that increase efficiency, capacity, and scalability.
- Implement a Lean mindset across the organization—reducing waste, improving flow, and standardizing best practices.
- Build and reinforce a high-performance culture rooted in accountability, ownership, and urgency.
- Hire, develop, and retain A-Players, while actively upgrading the team to achieve 90% talent density.
- Coach and develop team members into strong operators and future leaders.
- Drive clear expectations and performance management, ensuring every role is tied to measurable outcomes.
- Improve productivity and utilization across the team to support profitable growth.
- Partner with leadership to support revenue growth and operational scalability.
- Establish and track key operational KPIs, using data to drive decisions and accountability.
- Lead through change and ambiguity, ensuring the team stays aligned and executes with focus.
What We’re Looking For
- 3+ years of experience overseeing operations - preferably within manufacturing, life sciences, cleanroom, HVAC, or technical field service industries.
- Proven ability to lead teams and deliver operational results in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated ownership mentality with a bias toward action and accountability.
- Ability to build, coach, and develop high-performing teams.
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity and rapid growth, with the ability to prioritize effectively.
- Preferred experience in Lean, Continuous Improvement, or process-driven environments utilizing lean tools like Kaizen, DMAIC, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, Kanban, etc.
- Strong leadership and communication skills—able to motivate teams and drive accountability.
- Commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.
- Data-Driven Approach – Ability to analyze customer data and turn insights into action.
Benefits:
- Meaningful equity ownership in SSA.
- 401k Match.
- 100% paid Medical Dental & Vision insurance.
- Health insurance (100% for employee and family).
- Life insurance.
- Generous Paid time off.
- Parental leave.
If you have the skills we are looking for and want to be a part of the rocket ship we are building, we want to hear from you!
Operations Manager in Burnley employer: Scientific Safety Alliance, an Inc. 5000 Company
Contact Detail:
Scientific Safety Alliance, an Inc. 5000 Company Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Burnley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues 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 its culture. Understand their mission and values, especially how they align with your own. This will help you stand out as someone who genuinely cares about contributing to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've improved processes or built high-performing teams in the past. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a fit for the role, but a game-changer.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and being part of the exciting journey at SSA.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Burnley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in leading teams and driving operational results, especially in fast-paced environments like life sciences or manufacturing.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see how you've built and developed high-performing teams. Share specific examples of how you've coached team members and improved processes, as this aligns with our focus on accountability and ownership.
Be Data-Driven: Since we value a data-driven approach, include any relevant metrics or KPIs you've worked with in your previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to analyse data and turn insights into actionable outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at SSA.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scientific Safety Alliance, an Inc. 5000 Company
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the operations of the company you're applying to. Understand their processes, challenges, and successes. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be prepared to discuss your leadership approach and how you've successfully built high-performing teams in the past. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to coach, develop, and retain talent, as this is crucial for the Operations Manager role.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Since the role values a Lean mindset, come ready to discuss your experience with process improvement methodologies. Share examples of how you've implemented tools like Kaizen or 5S to drive efficiency and scalability in previous positions.
✨Prepare Data-Driven Insights
As the role requires a data-driven approach, think of instances where you've used data to make informed decisions. Be ready to discuss key operational KPIs you've tracked and how they influenced your team's performance and outcomes.