Lab operations Manager

Job Description – Lab Operations Manager
Position: Lab Operations Manager

Department: Laboratory Operations
Location: Vadodara, Gujarat
Experience: 5+ years in Diagnostic Laboratory Operations
Qualification: B.Sc./M.Sc. MLT, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or relevant qualification
Travel: Willingness to travel extensively across Karnataka
Reporting To: CEO / Operations Head / Management

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Lab Operations Manager to oversee the end-to-end operations of 5+ diagnostic laboratory branches across Karnataka.

The role will be responsible for ensuring smooth laboratory operations, quality compliance, TAT, inventory control, manpower planning, equipment uptime, branch audits, SOP implementation and operational performance.

The ideal candidate should have strong hands-on experience in diagnostic laboratory operations and multi-branch management, with the ability to lead Centre Heads, Lab Supervisors, Technicians and other operational teams.

Key Responsibilities

1. Multi-Branch Operations

• Manage day-to-day operations of 5+ diagnostic laboratory branches.
• Conduct regular branch visits and operational reviews.
• Monitor branch productivity, workload, TAT and service quality.
• Ensure uniform implementation of SOPs and operational processes.
• Identify operational gaps and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate with Centre Heads, Lab Supervisors, Technicians and Phlebotomists.
• Handle operational escalations and ensure uninterrupted laboratory services.

2. Quality & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to laboratory SOPs, quality standards and QC procedures.
• Monitor IQC, sample rejection, testing errors and quality deviations.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and implement CAPA.
• Monitor pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical processes.
• Ensure proper sample collection, identification, transportation, processing and reporting.
• Conduct periodic branch quality/process audits.
• Ensure branches remain audit-ready.

3. Inventory & Cost Management

• Monitor reagents, consumables, PPE and laboratory supplies across branches.
• Prevent stock-outs, overstocking, expiry and wastage.
• Analyse branch-wise consumption against workload.
• Conduct physical stock verification and investigate variances.
• Coordinate with Purchase/Stores teams for timely replenishment.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimisation.

4. Manpower & Team Management

• Plan manpower requirements based on branch workload.
• Lead and manage Centre Heads, Lab Supervisors, Technicians and support teams.
• Monitor attendance, discipline, productivity and performance.
• Coordinate with HR for recruitment and manpower replacement.
• Conduct performance reviews and identify training requirements.
• Develop Centre Heads and Supervisors to independently manage branches.

5. TAT & Productivity

• Monitor branch-wise laboratory TAT.
• Analyse delays in sample collection, transportation, processing and reporting.
• Monitor technician productivity and manpower utilisation.
• Develop action plans for branches that consistently miss TAT targets.
• Improve workflow and operational efficiency.

6. Equipment & Infrastructure

• Monitor laboratory equipment uptime across branches.
• Ensure preventive maintenance and calibration schedules are followed.
• Coordinate with vendors/service engineers for breakdowns.
• Monitor equipment downtime and ensure timely resolution.
• Ensure critical infrastructure and laboratory equipment remain operational.

7. Branch Audits & Performance
Conduct regular audits covering:

• Laboratory operations
• Quality & QC
• Sample handling
• TAT
• Inventory
• Equipment
• Manpower
• Documentation
• SOP compliance
• Safety & housekeeping
• Patient/customer service

Prepare audit reports and ensure timely closure of identified gaps.

8. MIS & Reporting

• Prepare and review daily/weekly/monthly operational reports.
• Monitor sample volumes, TAT, sample rejection and QC performance.
• Track inventory consumption, wastage and stock variance.
• Monitor manpower productivity and equipment downtime.
• Track customer complaints and corrective actions.
• Present operational performance to senior management.

9. Customer Service

• Monitor patient/customer complaints related to laboratory services.
• Ensure complaints are investigated and resolved within defined timelines.
• Identify recurring issues and implement preventive measures.
• Work with Centre Heads and relevant departments to improve patient experience.

Required Experience

Mandatory:

• Minimum 5**+ years of experience in the Diagnostic Laboratory industry**.
• Proven experience in diagnostic laboratory operations.
• Experience managing multiple diagnostic centres/branches.
• Experience managing branches is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Quality Control/Quality Assurance.
• Experience in inventory and reagent/consumable management.
• Experience managing Centre Heads, Lab Supervisors and technical teams.
• Experience in branch audits and operational performance monitoring.
• Strong manpower planning and team management experience.
• Experience handling operational escalations and corrective actions.

Required Skills

• Diagnostic Laboratory Operations
• Multi-Branch Operations Management
• Quality Control & Quality Assurance
• SOP Implementation
• Inventory & Reagent Management
• TAT Management
• Sample Management
• Equipment Management
• Branch Auditing
• Manpower Planning
• Team Leadership
• Cost Control
• Process Improvement
• MIS & Reporting
• MS Excel

Other Requirements

• Good working knowledge of English.
• Willingness to travel extensively across Karnataka.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Comfortable managing multiple branches and priorities.
• Strong ownership and accountability.
• Field-oriented approach with willingness to conduct regular branch visits.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The candidate will be evaluated on:

• Operational performance of branches
• TAT achievement
• Quality/QC compliance
• Reduction in sample rejection and testing errors
• Inventory accuracy
• Reduction in wastage and expiry
• Prevention of stock-outs
• Manpower productivity
• Equipment uptime
• SOP compliance
• Branch audit scores
• Closure of operational issues
• Customer complaint resolution
• Cost optimisation

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a senior diagnostic laboratory operations professional who has already managed multiple diagnostic branches, preferably 5 or more, and has strong practical exposure to laboratory quality, inventory, manpower, TAT, equipment and branch operations.

Pay: ₹600,000.00 - ₹800,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person