What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Manager position at Trailhead Biosystems?
The Operations Manager will support, optimize, and lead core operational functions that enable both laboratory research, manufacturing and supply chain activities aligned to business needs. This is a fully on-site position based in Beachwood, OH, requiring close, daily interaction with cross-functional teams including scientific, manufacturing, quality and commercial groups.
The Operations Manager will be responsible for implementing and maintaining scalable systems, driving real-time problem-solving, and ensuring the smooth execution of day-to-day lab and facility operations. It will also include developing tools and dashboards, various operational analysis, managing aspects of supply chain and logistics, ensuring regulatory and safety compliance, and supporting various administrative and physical operational tasks.
This role is ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced, early-stage environments and is highly analytical, hands-on, responsive, and committed to building a strong and reliable operational infrastructure with a mindset of continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Develop and manage daily operations through weekly schedules to support and proactively solve issues as needed
- Lead, assist and manage operational systems and procedures across lab, manufacturing, and facilities
- Provide hands-on support for tasks such as equipment setup, inventory handling, and lab logistics. Conduct routine walkthroughs to identify and mitigate risks and operational issues
- Act as a critical integrator across teams—commercial, R&D, QC, and manufacturing—ensuring alignment through S&OP processes
- Translate technical and business needs into actionable operational plans
- Facilitate trainings on continuous improvement, lean principles and standard work practices
- Utilize standard work and visual management to track and analyze performance indicators. Implement corrective actions to enhance quality, reduce waste, and improve efficiency
- Build and maintain operational documentation such as SOPs, work instructions, guidelines, supply plans, and contingency protocols
- Lead initiatives to standardize and automate (where applicable) around new processes being implemented by the company
- Manage vendor and contractor relations and procurement activities related to business operations and capital equipment
- Forecast and manage consumables, reagents, and equipment based on current and upcoming project needs to prevent redundant ordering and limit waste/scrap. Optimize purchasing strategies to reduce costs, minimize waste, and ensure inventory availability
- Maintain internal inventory management system to facilitate inventory tracking and manufacturing support.
- Analyze and report on KPIs pertaining to operations
- Assess, make suggestions, and optimize laboratory workflow and logistics to improve department and laboratory efficiency and productivity
- Manage shipping/logistics inbound and outbound
- Plan and forecast consumption levels of reagents/consumables based on current and upcoming project load
- Conduct cost analyses and generate reports on capacity, productivity, procurement, and spend performance
- Ensure compliance with environmental health and safety (EHS) requirements and operational policies
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering. A master’s degree and commensurate experience may also be considered
- 3 years of experience in operations of biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or a similarly highly regulated industry or a similar role
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Strong ability to multitask
- Deep understanding of Lean/continuous improvement principles
- Self-motivated, adaptable, and comfortable working in dynamic and evolving environments
- Excellent interpersonal and people management skills as well as experience supporting or leading cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced setting
- Familiarity with sample management / lab information management systems, temperature monitoring software, and electronic quality management software
- Willingness to perform physical work and respond to off-hour operational needs as required
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and tools such as Power BI.