Director of Operations (Life Sciences Automation)

At JSat Automation we believe that by providing our customers with the resources they need to overcome obstacles in their quest for scientific discovery and change, we can more broadly improve the daily lives of everyone in our world. It is our mission to provide our clients with a strategic, efficient cost-effective approach to implementation of their projects. Our goal is more than to just deliver a solution but to foster a long-term relationship as a technical partner and to invest in their continued success.

Our highly diverse and talented team of engineers, project managers and process specialists are encouraged to channel their passion, innovation, and leadership to help enable us to provide unique, superior turnkey solutions for our customers. We are dedicated to finding the best person for every role at JSat because the solutions and tools that we develop together will help revolutionize numerous industries. If you think you have what it takes, but don’t necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch. We'd love to have a chat to see what skills/experience you are able to bring to this team. Apply Today to find out how you can join JSAT Automation and make an impact.

We are seeking an exceptional leader to take on the challenging and rewarding role of Director of Engineering Operations for JSat. This individual will play a pivotal role in guiding our company's growth and success, operational profitability, driving both operational excellence and technical innovation in the exciting field of life sciences automation. You will bridge the gap between business strategy and technical execution, ensuring our solutions not only meet client needs but also push the boundaries of what's possible in the industry.

The Director of Engineering Operations in a services-based company plays a critical role in overseeing various operational aspects to ensure the effective, profitable, and efficient delivery of services. The Director of Engineering Operations plays a key role in translating the company's strategic vision into actionable plans, optimizing processes, managing resources efficiently, profitability, and ensuring the overall success of service delivery. The exact responsibilities may evolve based on the specific needs and goals of the services-based company.

If you are a highly motivated and experienced with a passion for automation and the life sciences industry, we encourage you to apply for this exciting position!

1. Operational Strategy

   1. Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with the overall business goals and objectives.

   2. Work closely with the executive team to ensure operational plans are integrated into the broader organizational strategy.

   3. Identify and qualify new project opportunities.

   4. Develop proposals and negotiate contracts.

   5. Represent the company at industry events and conferences.

   6. Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for teams and company as a whole.

   7. Take action on key performance indicators (KPIs) for teams and company as a whole.

2. Process Optimization

   1. Identify opportunities to streamline and optimize business processes to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

   2. Implement best practices and continuous improvement initiatives.

   3. Responsible primarily for planning, coordinating, and executing company processes from the beginning to the end.

3. Resource Management

   1. Oversee resource allocation, including staffing, technology, and infrastructure, to meet service delivery requirements.

   2. Ensure adequate training and development programs for employees.

4. Quality Assurance

   1. Establish and monitor quality assurance processes to maintain high standards in service delivery.

   2. Implement performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and improve service quality.

   3. Ensure the technical quality and reliability of all solutions are delivered to clients.

5. Client Satisfaction

   1. Collaborate with client-facing teams to understand client needs and expectations.

   2. Implement strategies to enhance client satisfaction and retention.

   3. Develop and maintain relationships with key accounts in the life sciences industry.

   4. Provide ongoing communication with clients and resolve issues.

   5. Interact with client personnel to identify and analyze continuous improvement through system upgrades, studies, collaboration, etc.

6. Risk Management

   1. Identify and assess operational risks and implement risk mitigation strategies.

   2. Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards.

   3. Maintain all required training to ensure job responsibilities can be performed daily.

7. Technology Integration

   1. Evaluate and implement technology solutions to improve operational efficiency.

   2. Stay updated on industry trends and technological advancements to maintain a competitive edge.

   3. Lead the engineering team, setting the technical vision and direction for the company's automation solutions.

   4. Stay abreast of emerging technologies in the life sciences and automation fields, driving continuous innovation.

   5. Lead conversations with clients in the designing, development, installation and support of systems in respective field of interests (Automation, Validation, IT, etc.).

   6. Technical oversight of individual projects.

8. Financial Management

   1. Collaborate with the executives team to manage budgets and control costs.

   2. Implement financial controls and reporting mechanisms.

   3. Oversee all engineering departments and functions, ensuring efficient and profitable operations.

   4. Implement and maintain robust project management processes, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.

   5. Responsible for profitability of all verticals and company.

   6. Oversight of individual projects using Earned Value Management (EVM) for measuring project's cost and schedule performance by comparing work performed with the work planned.

9. Communication and Collaboration

   1. Foster effective communication and collaboration between different departments.

   2. Work closely with other executive team to ensure alignment across all functions.

   3. Collaborate with VP of Technology to manage the development and implementation of new automation technologies and products.

   4. Collaborate closely with the sales and marketing teams to understand client needs and translate them into technical solutions.

   5. Collaborate with other departments within the company to ensure that clients' needs are met.

   6. Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, partners, and investors.

10. Crisis Management

    1. Develop and implement contingency plans to address potential crises or disruptions.

    2. Lead the company through challenging times with resilience and adaptability.

    3. Responsible for managing and resolving client and vendor grievances.

11. Strategic Partnerships

    1. Identify and nurture strategic partnerships and vendors that can enhance service delivery or expand market reach.

12. Talent Management

    1. Oversee talent acquisition, retention, and development strategies.

    2. Foster a positive organizational culture and employee engagement that attracts and retains top talent.

    3. Effectively direct and deploy resources that support client and customer requirements for the delivery of projects and services.

    4. Oversee administrative and operational processes that ensure the right engineers are available to successfully complete scheduled and specialty project. requests.

• Proven track record of success in a leadership role within a technology or engineering company.
• Deep understanding of the life sciences industry and the challenges and opportunities in automation.
• Strong operational skills, including experience in project management, resource allocation, and financial analysis.
• Excellent technical acumen and experience in software development, automation technologies, or related fields.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders.
• Visionary leadership style with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Strong focus on innovation and a passion for bringing cutting-edge solutions to market.
• 15 + years of direct life science industry experience.
• 5+ years of experience in sales, preferably in the life sciences industry
• Ability to travel as needed
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with key decision-makers
• Excellent client communication skills.
• Clear, strategic thinker with vision, with the ability to execute on priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Must have strong project management skills (Scheduling, Budgeting, & Resourcing)
• Experience managing proposal creation processes.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and proactive relevance to company interests
• Experienced in the application of engineering best practice, methodologies, tools, software, and principles in the advancement of process improvements and complex project execution
• Solid understanding of job financial reporting with ability to apply cost control measures for projects
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Experience with automation, commissioning, qualification, or operations in a cGMP environment.
• Knowledge of current industry standards such as GAMP5 and ASTM E2500.
• Experience in Computer System Validation (CSV) for manufacturing systems.
• Strong technical knowledge of automation systems; Emerson DeltaV, Emerson Syncade, Rockwell, Ignition, and Sepasoft.
• Proficient/ thorough knowledge of validation, manufacturing processes, quality systems, engineering design fundamentals, regulatory agency expectation and industry trends.
• Tactical thinker with experience working with customers developing testing, validation and/or quality strategies.
• Strong technical writing, verbal communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Strong computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft office suite programs.
• Demonstrate good record keeping practices and attention to detail.
• Excellent collaboration and ability to communicate information to a varied audience.
• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field

Salary DOE: The pay range for this position is $145k - $180k per year; however, base pay may be higher or lower depending on the candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This figure does not include additional compensation such as health benefits, vacation, etc.