Operations Manager, Chemistry*

About the role

As a trusted partner, Merieux NutriSciences’ Public Health mission is to make food systems safer, healthier and more sustainable. With a global network in 32 countries, we provide a wide range of testing and innovative solutions to prevent health risks related to food, environment and consumer goods. External growth has been a key pillar of our history, with over 40 acquisitions in the last 10 years. If you want to contribute to an inspiring long‑term purpose, be part of a fast‑growing company in a high‑value market with significant build‑up opportunities, and grow in an entrepreneurial and warm environment, join us. You will contribute to an inspiring Public Health purpose supported by long‑term and visionary shareholders, impact our strategic pillars built on 60 years of experience, be part of an enthusiastic and skilled community that loves co‑building and serving a purpose bigger than itself, be welcomed as you are in a diverse and open‑minded environment rich in singularities and differences, and grow within an international group of more than 10,000 team members with ample opportunities to learn and share.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute operational strategies specific to food chemistry testing services.
• Align chemistry laboratory capabilities with evolving regulatory requirements and client demands.
• Partner with commercial and technical teams to expand service offerings and support business growth.
• Lead cross‑site harmonization of chemistry methods, instrumentation platforms, and quality practices.
• Oversee daily operations of chemistry departments, ensuring efficient workflow from sample receipt through data reporting.
• Monitor turnaround times, backlog, instrument utilization, and staffing capacity.
• Ensure proper scheduling, maintenance, calibration, and performance verification of analytical instruments.
• Support financial performance through cost control, productivity optimization, and capital planning for instrumentation.
• Serve as the senior technical authority for chemistry testing, ensuring scientific validity and data integrity.
• Oversee method validation, verification, and implementation of new analytical technologies.
• Review and approve corrective actions related to out‑of‑specification (OOS), out‑of‑trend (OOT), and non‑conforming results.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to maintain ISO 17025 accreditation and audit readiness.
• Maintain authority to suspend analytical testing if quality systems or data integrity are compromised.
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, and workflow optimization initiatives within chemistry operations.
• Identify automation opportunities in sample preparation, extraction, and data processing.
• Implement best practices for analytical efficiency, solvent reduction, and sustainability initiatives.
• Utilize KPI dashboards and analytical data trends to improve laboratory performance.
• Oversee workforce planning for chemists, analysts, and technical supervisors.
• Establish performance metrics aligned with quality, service, cost, and safety goals.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching to department leaders.
• Ensure proper training and competency assessments for complex instrumentation and methodologies.
• Support client‑facing technical discussions related to chemistry testing methodologies and results interpretation.
• Participate in client audits and regulatory inspections as the chemistry subject matter expert.
• Provide technical guidance during method transfers, validations, and large‑scale client projects.
• Ensure effective use of LIMS and chromatography data systems for data traceability and compliance.
• Oversee instrument lifecycle management including procurement, qualification, and retirement planning.
• Support digital transformation initiatives to enhance data analytics and reporting transparency.