As an Operations Manager, based in Columbia, Missouri, you will be part of the IDEXX BioAnalytics (IBA) division. IBA is a dynamic and growing business that has been providing non-clinical pathology services, animal health monitoring diagnostics, and biological testing services for more than 40 years. We serve innovators in the biomedical and life science fields from highly respected educational institutions to world-class pharmaceutical companies and independent researchers developing life-changing therapeutics. This will be an exciting opportunity to leverage your leadership abilities to coordinate daily lab operations, including: planning, people management, and delivering results. The focus on enhancing the lives of people and pets starts with our own employees and empowering them to achieve their goals, focusing on continuous improvement, and supporting the strong collaboration and inclusiveness that exist in our teams. You will be joining an innovative and fast-paced work environment with a strong focus on employee culture and development.
Why this role matters:
The Operations Manager role in Columbia, MO is responsible for overseeing the direct management and day to day operations of a core location in our BioAnalytics division, where we support over 4,000 research organizations with innovative bioanalytical solutions.
In This Role:
- You will provide Operational Leadership.
- You will lead daily laboratory operations to ensure timely and accurate processing of customer samples.
- You will optimize workflows, staffing models, and resource allocation to meet volume demands and service level commitments.
- You will monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), including TAT, throughput, quality metrics, and cost efficiency.
- You will partner cross-functionally with logistics, customer support, IT, and scientific teams to ensure seamless operations.
- You will provide People Leadership & Development
- You will be overseeing a number of diagnostic testing teams, including Supervisors and individual contributors in a fast-paced, high-throughput work environment.
- You will manage, coach, and develop a team of supervisors, technologists, scientists and technicians.
- You will foster a high-performance, inclusive, and safety-first culture.
- You will drive employee engagement, retention, and career development through IDPs and ongoing feedback.
- You will ensure appropriate staffing coverage, including after-hours/weekend operations as needed.
- You will foster a Quality & Compliance culture.
- You will ensure adherence to all applicable regulatory and quality standards (e.g., GLP, ISO, USDA, CAP/CLIA as applicable).
- You will maintain audit readiness and lead internal/external audits and inspections.
- You will oversee investigation and resolution of deviations, non-conformances, and customer complaints.
- You will drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality and reduce errors.
- You will ensure we have strong Customer Experience focus.
- You will partner with commercial and scientific affairs teams to ensure exceptional customer service.
- You will proactively address service disruptions and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- You will support onboarding of new assays, technologies, and customer programs.
- You will focus on Continuous Improvement & Innovation.
- You will identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, scalability, and automation.
- You will support digital initiatives including LIMS enhancements and data integrity improvements.
- You will contribute to strategic initiatives such as lab expansions and new service offerings.
- You will provide Financial & Business Management.
- You will manage operational budgets, including labor, consumables, and capital investments.
- You will drive productivity improvements while maintaining quality and compliance.
- You will support forecasting, capacity planning, and long-term growth strategies.
What You Will Need to Succeed:
- You will have 5+ years experience leading lab teams in a regulated environment.
- You have Bachelor’s degree or higher in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or a related scientific field.
- You’re an experienced change agent, with Lean experience, and you have applied/implemented this experience in a Lean environment.
- You have proven successful track record of managing multiple teams with a focus on meeting customer expectations, capacity planning, employee performance, and development skills.
- You have developed and/or implemented strategies in place for keeping frontline employees engaged.
- You can adapt departmental plans and priorities to address resource and the operational challenges of a global company.
- You have strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with an ability to effectively present information to various audiences including senior management and those who report to you.
- You are proficient in the use of CoPilot (and other GenAI tools), Excel, Word, PowerBI, and other applications and are comfortable with high computer use.
- You excel at organizing, prioritizing and directing work activities.
- You have a track record of successful project management skills and abilities.
- This is a laboratory, so there is potential exposure to biohazards, agents known to cause zoonotic diseases, and hazardous chemicals.
What You Can Expect From Us:
- Salary targeting $140,000 / year, with some flexibility depending on experience
- Health / Dental / Vision Benefits day one of employment
- Opportunity for annual cash bonus
- Opportunity for performance based annual merit increase
- Additional benefits including but not limited to financial support, pet insurance, mental health resources, volunteer paid days off, employee stock program, foundation donation matching, and much more.
Schedule:
- This is a day shift management position; hours will vary depending on business needs. The lab operates from 7 am to 9 pm Monday through Friday.
Why IDEXX?
We’re proud of the work we do, because our work matters. An innovation leader in every industry we serve since 1983, our team members help pet owners worldwide keep their companion animals healthy and happy, ensure safe drinking water for billions, and help farmers protect livestock and poultry from disease.
We have customers in over 175 countries and a collaborative global workforce. Our culture is one that embraces challenges and encourages learning and discovery. At IDEXX, you’ll be supported by competitive compensation, incentives, and benefits while enjoying purposeful work that drives improvement.
Knowing our work makes a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of pets and people is what motivates us every day. If meaningful work and a sense of purpose are at the top of your list, you’ll find it here.
IDEXX values a diverse workforce and workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
IDEXX is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this role.
This Operations Manager position will be based out of our Columbia, MO location.
Does this sound like the opportunity for you? Apply today!
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