Manager - Project & Lab Operations Management

Job Purpose

The Manager Project & Lab Operations Management will work closely with laboratory, quality, medical, technical, supply chain, IT, finance, commercial, and other cross- functional teams to deliver projects within defined timelines, budgets, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.

The position will also drive operational excellence, process standardization, performance monitoring, capacity optimization, and continuous improvement across laboratory operations.

Key Responsibilities

A. Project Management

• Lead end-to-end planning and execution of laboratory and diagnostics-related projects.
• Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, milestones, resources, and budgets.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, trackers, dashboards, and governance mechanisms.
• Coordinate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure timely completion of project activities.
• Identify project risks, dependencies, bottlenecks, and mitigation plans.
• Monitor project progress against agreed timelines, budgets, quality parameters, and KPIs.
• Conduct regular project review meetings and provide structured updates to senior management.
• Ensure effective documentation of project decisions, actions, risks, issues, and lessons learned.
• Support implementation of new laboratories, laboratory expansions, relocations, automation projects, new technologies, and new diagnostic services.
• Coordinate validation, verification, commissioning, and operational readiness activities for new equipment, systems, and processes.

B. Laboratory Operations Management

• Support and monitor day-to-day laboratory operations to ensure efficient workflow and timely turnaround of diagnostic testing.
• Monitor key operational parameters such as sample volumes, TAT, productivity, utilization, rejection rates, repeat testing, pending samples, and equipment uptime.
• Identify operational gaps and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Coordinate with laboratory teams to optimize manpower, equipment, space, workflow, and other operational resources.
• Support capacity planning based on current and projected testing volumes.
• Drive standardization of laboratory processes across locations/functions wherever applicable.
• Monitor operational dashboards and generate periodic management reports.
• Facilitate resolution of operational issues and interdepartmental dependencies.

C. Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure laboratory projects and operational processes comply with applicable quality management systems and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with the Quality team to ensure adherence to relevant SOPs, policies, and quality standards.
• Support internal and external audits, inspections, accreditation activities, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, change control, risk assessment, CAPA, deviation management, and validation activities for applicable projects.

D. New Lab / Expansion / Technology Implementation

• Coordinate feasibility assessment and project planning for new laboratory setups and expansions.
• Support site readiness covering infrastructure, equipment, utilities, manpower, IT/LIMS connectivity, workflow, documentation, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate procurement, installation, qualification, validation, and commissioning of laboratory equipment.
• Support implementation of automation, digital solutions, LIMS, middleware, analyzers, and other laboratory technologies.
• Coordinate user acceptance testing, training, go-live readiness, stabilization, and post-implementation review.
• Ensure smooth transition from project phase to routine operations.

E. Process Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory productivity, efficiency, TAT, quality, and cost effectiveness.
• Analyze operational data to identify trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities.
• Promote automation and technology-enabled process improvements.

F. Stakeholder & Vendor Management

• Act as a central coordination point for project and laboratory operations-related activities.
• Work closely with laboratory heads, pathologists, technical teams, quality, procurement, finance, IT, HR, engineering, commercial, and other functions.
• Coordinate with external vendors, consultants, equipment suppliers, technology partners, and service providers.
• Monitor vendor deliverables, timelines, service levels, and issue resolution.
• Support commercial evaluation and vendor selection activities as required.

G. Reporting & Governance

• Prepare weekly/monthly project and operational performance reports.
• Develop management dashboards covering project status, laboratory KPIs, risks, issues, and action plans.
• Escalate critical risks and operational issues with appropriate recommendations.
• Maintain project governance and ensure timely closure of action items.
• Present project and operational updates to leadership and relevant review forums.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Project delivery within agreed timelines and budgets.
• Project milestone adherence.
• Equipment utilization and uptime.
• Successful implementation of new laboratories, equipment, technologies, or processes.
• Compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.
• Cost optimization and productivity improvement.
• Stakeholder satisfaction and effectiveness of cross-functional coordination.
• Successful transition of projects into stable business-as-usual operations.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Medical Laboratory Technology, Healthcare Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Relevant experience in diagnostics, pathology, healthcare, laboratory operations, medical devices, or a related industry.

Preferred:

• Masters degree in healthcare management, Biotechnology, Life Sciences