Director of Lab Operations
TATAA Biocenter AB · Göteborg · Tills vidare · Deadline 2026-11-04
TATAA Biocenter AB, part of the Single Cell Discoveries Group, is looking for a **Director of Lab Operations** to lead and oversee its accredited molecular analysis facility in Gothenburg. Reporting directly to the group COO, this senior leader holds **budget responsibility for all Gothenburg site operations**, managing laboratory infrastructure, facilities, and external vendor relations. Duties involve serving as an escalation point for operational issues, driving continuous improvement, supporting capacity planning, and ensuring full compliance with GCLP, GLP, and ISO 17025:2017 standards. The role also requires collaborating closely with scientific teams to deliver client projects and presenting operational strategies to the COO, CEO, and board. Candidates must hold an **MSc or PhD in a relevant field** paired with significant industry experience, alongside substantial experience managing laboratory operations. Essential qualifications include working knowledge of GxP frameworks (such as GLP or GCLP) or accredited quality systems like ISO 17025, experience managing technical vendors and facility contractors, and excellent written and oral English communication skills. Industry background in a CRO or pharmaceutical bioanalytical setting is preferred, as is experience serving as a Test Site Manager, supporting regulatory inspections, and presenting to executive leadership or a board of directors.
Single Cell Discoveries is seeking a Lab Operations Director to lead and oversee all laboratory operations at our Gothenburg laboratory, TATAA Biocenter! This is a senior leadership role for a hands-on operational leader who thrives on responsibility, solving complex challenges, and can make confident decisions in a fast-moving environment while maintaining the highest standards of regulatory compliance. You will be responsible for laboratory operations, facility management, and site-wide coordination. You will ensure the site runs smoothly, the infrastructure and processes needed for compliance are in place, and our scientists have everything they need to deliver exceptional results for sponsors around the world.
Are you energized by accountability, motivated by helping teams succeed, and eager to play a key role in a growing, accredited CRO? We would like to hear from you!
Who Are We?
TATAA Biocenter, part of the Single Cell Discoveries Group, is a specialized molecular analysis CRO supporting pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors worldwide. Our laboratory is GCLP-compliant and accredited under GLP and ISO 17025:2017, with deep expertise in qPCR, dPCR, RNA-seq/NGS, and biomarker analysis. We combine scientific excellence with a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture, helping sponsors accelerate innovations in precision medicine.As Lab Operations Director, you will work closely with laboratory teams, quality assurance, IT, business development, vendors, external partners, and company leadership to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the entire site. You will report directly to the group COO.
What Will You Do?
- Lead and oversee operations of the Gothenburg laboratory site.
- Serve as a key point of escalation for laboratory staff, operational challenges, and project execution issues.
- Ensure laboratory infrastructure, equipment, and facilities are maintained and operate efficiently.
- Coordinate and manage relationships with vendors, service providers, contractors, engineers, and facility partners.
- Support laboratory teams in prioritization, problem-solving, and operational decision-making.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across laboratory operations, infrastructure, and processes.
- Partner with scientific and operational teams to support the successful execution of client projects.
- Support capacity planning, resource allocation, and operational growth initiatives.
- Provide strong site leadership, fostering a safe, compliant, and high-performing environment.
- Represent site operations internally and externally, including during client, vendor, and regulatory interactions.
- Have budget responsibility for all operations in our Gothenburg site.
- Design strategies that fit the group’s goals and present progress to our COO and CEO, as well as our board.
Who Are We Looking For?
Essential
- You hold a MSc or PhD in a relevant field, with significant industry experience (preferably within CRO or pharma bioanalytical setting).
- You are an engaging people leader who motivates colleagues through energy, trust, and collaboration.
- You have significant experience managing laboratory operations, preferably within a regulated environment.
- You have experience working within regulated laboratory environments, including GxP frameworks (e.g., GLP, GCLP) and/or accredited quality systems such as ISO 17025.
- You are comfortable taking ownership and making decisions, including under time pressure.
- You have a proven ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and priorities simultaneously.
- You are a natural problem-solver who enjoys helping others overcome operational challenges.
- You have experience working with external vendors, contractors, facility providers, and technical service partners.
- You possess excellent organizational and communication skills in English, both written and oral.
Preferred
- Experience acting as Test Site Manager, Deputy Test Site Manager, or in a similar regulated laboratory leadership role.
- Experience supporting inspections, audits, and accreditation activities.
- Experience in a CRO, biotech, pharmaceutical, or life sciences environment
- Experience presenting operational matters to senior leadership, company owners, or a board of directors.
Who You Are
- You enjoy responsibility and proactivity.
- You like making things happen.
- You are approachable, and people naturally come to you with questions and challenges.
- You can switch effortlessly between discussions with scientists, engineers, vendors, and leadership teams.
- You bring energy, pragmatism, and common sense.
- You are decisive, confident, and action oriented.
- Quality and accountability come naturally to you.
Why Join TATAA?
- A highly visible leadership role with significant influence on the future of the organization.
- Ownership of laboratory operations within a growing and internationally recognized CRO.
- The opportunity to work with talented scientists in a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment.
- A role where your decisions directly impact employees, sponsors, and business success.
- The chance to help shape the future of precision medicine and advanced molecular analysis.
Join us in accelerating innovations in precision medicine.
Need more info? For questions about this opening or the recruitment process, please contact us at jobs@tataa.com.
Visit us at https://tataa.com/.