About the Role:

We are seeking an experienced Operations Head to oversee the day-to-day operations of our research laboratory and ensure smooth execution of product development initiatives.

This role will act as the operational backbone of the lab, driving project timelines, team productivity, resource allocation, and cross-functional collaboration between researchers and senior leadership.

Similar lab operations leadership roles focus on workflow efficiency, compliance, resource management, and scaling research teams.

The ideal candidate should have prior experience working in a biotech, life sciences, or research-driven environment and possess strong operational, project management, and people management capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

- Oversee daily research lab operations, workflows, and utilization of lab resources.

- Ensure smooth functioning of lab infrastructure, equipment availability, procurement, and vendor coordination.

- Manage operational budgets, inventory, and cost optimization initiatives.

- Maintain proper documentation, SOPs, and operational records.

- Track ongoing product development programs and ensure milestones are delivered on time.

- Create project plans, timelines, trackers, and dashboards for leadership visibility.

- Identify bottlenecks and proactively resolve operational blockers impacting research progress.

- Coordinate with research teams to prioritize deliverables aligned with business goals.

- Set and monitor weekly/monthly KPIs and targets for a team of 10 researchers (MSc/PhD).

- Conduct performance reviews, productivity tracking, and resource planning.

- Support hiring and onboarding as the team scales from 10 to ~15 members in the next 4-5 months.

- Foster accountability, collaboration, and high-performance culture within the lab.

Act as the key operational bridge between:

- Research teams

- CSO

- Prepare periodic operational updates, progress reports, and strategic dashboards.

- Support management in planning expansion, budgeting, and organizational scaling.

- Ensure operational adherence to lab safety protocols, documentation standards, and quality processes.

- Implement workflow improvements, automation opportunities, and process optimization initiatives.

- Support audit readiness, compliance checks, and operational governance.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Education: M.Sc./MBA (mandatory)

8-10+ years of experience in:

- Lab operations

- Research operations

- Biotech/pharma operations

- Product/program management in life sciences

- Research project lifecycle

- Lab resource planning