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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations, improve processes, and build a high-performance culture.
- Company: Join the rapidly growing Scientific Safety Alliance, a leader in life sciences.
- Benefits: Enjoy equity ownership, generous paid time off, and comprehensive health insurance.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team focused on continuous improvement and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while driving innovation.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in operations with strong leadership and communication skills.
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 & UK Pension.
- 100% paid Medical Dental & Vision insurance.
- Health insurance (100% for employee and family).
- Life insurance.
- Generous Paid time off.
- Parental leave.
Operations Manager in Lancaster employer: Scientific Safety Alliance
Contact Detail:
Scientific Safety Alliance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Lancaster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the life sciences and operations sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share specific examples of how you've led teams or improved processes in past roles. This will help them see you as the Operations Manager they need.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss data! Since this role involves tracking KPIs and making data-driven decisions, brush up on your analytical skills. Be prepared to talk about how you've used data to drive improvements in your previous positions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your experience in lean methodologies and team development. Let’s get you on board at SSA!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Lancaster
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 high-performing teams in the past. We’re looking for someone who can coach and develop 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 out on 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
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the operations of the company. 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 and the company.
✨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 effective solutions.
✨Emphasise Data-Driven Decision Making
Since the role requires a data-driven approach, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to inform decisions in your past positions. Discuss any KPIs you've tracked and how they influenced your operational strategies.