At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations, improve processes, and build a high-performance culture.
- Company: Join the fast-growing Scientific Safety Alliance, focused on innovation in life sciences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity ownership, 401k match, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a founder- and employee-owned company with exceptional growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping the future of modern medicine.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in operations, strong leadership skills, and a passion for continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Lancaster, UK
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. 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.
Operations Manager 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
✨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 tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online resources to refine your answers. Focus on showcasing your leadership skills and how you've driven operational success in past roles.
✨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 mission to accelerate science delightfully!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in leading teams and driving operational results, especially in fast-paced environments. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to accelerate science delightfully!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the life sciences industry and how you can contribute to our high-performance culture. Be genuine and let your personality come through—this is your opportunity to connect with us.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: In your application, make sure to showcase your leadership style and how you've built and developed high-performing teams in the past. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and motivate others, so share specific examples of how you've done this before!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team 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 managed teams in the past. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to build high-performance cultures and drive accountability, as these are key aspects of the Operations Manager role.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Think of a few operational bottlenecks you've encountered in previous roles and how you resolved them. Be ready to share these stories during the interview, as they will illustrate your capability to identify issues and implement practical solutions.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Since the role values Lean and Continuous Improvement, come prepared with examples of how you've applied these principles in your work. Discuss specific tools like Kaizen or 5S that you've used to enhance efficiency and productivity.