Overview
LabConnect improves lives by partnering with pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and clinical research organizations (CROs) to accelerate the development of new medicines around the world.
We are an independent, global, one-stop-shop focused on delivering Central Laboratory Services that are tailor-made, timely and flexible to meet the evolving study demands of traditional to increasingly complex trials. Additionally, we provide Functional Service Provider (FSP) Solutions, supporting our clients with scientific and technical expertise, acting as an extension of their team, coordinating all laboratory related needs, advising on strategies for lab data collection and providing end-to-end analytical and logistical solutions.
Job Summary
The Senior Director, Site Operations is responsible for leading LabConnect’s Germany operations and serving as Site Director for the Cologne location.
Reporting to the COO, this role has end-to-end accountability for operational performance, site leadership, financial results, service delivery, quality, compliance, and continuous improvement. The role partners closely with global functional leaders while ensuring local execution reflects the German operating environment, including effective engagement with employee representatives where applicable, adherence to German and EU regulatory requirements, and alignment with local labor, health and safety, and data privacy expectations. This leader represents the Germany operation internally and externally and ensures the site delivers safe, efficient, scalable, and compliant performance in support of business growth across the region, while championing a culture of quality and continuous improvement.
The salary range for this position is 145,900 - 205,500 euros.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Serve as the senior leader for the Germany operation, setting direction for the site, driving execution, and ensuring alignment with company strategy, values, and performance expectations. Serves as local signature authority as assigned and approved by Corporate.
- Lead day-to-day operations to achieve targets for service, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost while ensuring reliable execution across site activities. Ensures the implementation of site processes per global process standards. Proactively contributes to defining global standards.
- Develop and implement the Germany operations strategy, including annual objectives, business plans, resource priorities, and initiatives that support regional and global growth.
- Accountable for site budget, forecasting, capital planning, and overall fiscal & operational performance, with responsibility for cost discipline, margin improvement, and delivery against operating plan.
- Ensure compliance with applicable company policies and German and EU legal and regulatory requirements, including employment practices, working time, workplace health and safety, data privacy, and quality obligations. Support compliant operational practices related to personal data and business records, with awareness of GDPR and German Federal Data Protection Act expectations and partnership with legal, HR, IT, and privacy stakeholders.
- Partner constructively with employee representatives and, where applicable, ensuring timely information, consultation, and collaboration on matters requiring local engagement under German practice.
- Drive operational excellence through disciplined use of metrics, process optimization, standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives to improve scalability, quality, and efficiency. Partner with Global Quality to ensure site maintains strict adherence to GxPs and Client expectations, and Local vendor governance.
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing local leadership team and broader site organization through clear expectations, coaching, succession planning, and accountability, while supporting an inclusive and compliant employee environment.
- Partner closely with commercial, finance, HR, quality, IT, and global operations leaders to resolve issues, remove barriers, and deliver coordinated outcomes across the business.
- Represent the Germany operation with customers, auditors, regulators, service providers, and local stakeholders as needed, reinforcing LabConnect’s credibility, responsiveness, and compliance standards.
- Identify operational risks, lead mitigation planning, and maintain business continuity and contingency readiness to protect employees, customers, and business performance.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Operations Management, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 15 years of progressive leadership experience in life sciences operations, general management, or site leadership roles, including responsibility for financial performance, team leadership, and cross-functional execution.
- Minimum of 8 years in operation management in manufacturing, laboratory management, logistics or service operations.
- Experience leading operations in Germany within a regulated environment, preferably within life sciences, clinical research, healthcare services, or a related industry.
- Demonstrated experience navigating German labor and employee relations matters, including effective engagement with employee representatives and local HR or legal partners.
- Demonstrated success managing complex stakeholder relationships within a global, matrixed organization while translating enterprise priorities into effective local execution.
Skills and Ability
- Fluent in English and German, with the ability to lead effectively in both local and global business settings.
- Strong general management capability, including operational leadership, financial acumen, and strategic planning.
- Strong understanding of German business culture and the ability to build credibility with employees, local leadership, external partners, and global stakeholders.
- Knowledge of German and EU compliance expectations relevant to the role, including workplace practices, health and safety, data privacy, and regulated operating standards.
- Ability to work effectively in environments requiring consultation and collaboration with employee representatives and cross-functional partners.
- Experience with KPI management, process improvement methodologies, and data-driven decision-making.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage employees, customers, and senior executives effectively.
- Strong organizational judgment, problem-solving capability, and ability to manage competing priorities with urgency and discipline.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and other business systems used to manage operations, reporting, and performance.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Director
While performing the duties of this job, the occupant is regularly required to:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Prolonged use of computer and headphones for conference calls.
- Communicate effectively via phone, video, and email.
- Use hands and fingers to operate a computer and other office equipment.
- Walk and/or reach with hands and arms 15% of the week.
Travel Requirements: Up to 25%
Join our team and discover how your work can impact patients' lives around the world!
Some of the Perks our LabConnectors Love:
- We truly live our values: People First, Quality Focused, Customer Centered, Technology Driven and Accountability Always
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on a passionate and growing team
- Strong communication and collaboration within a smaller sized team
- Access to tools and resources that empower you to excel in your role
In addition to great perks and challenging work assignments, we invest in our people with enriching career growth opportunities, globally. We believe in a friendly and collaborative environment with open lines of communication.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and value the diversity of our workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
LabConnect also prioritizes the privacy and security of your personal data. All candidate information is handled in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For this job posting, all hiring decisions are made with meaningful human involvement and consideration. In this context, no applicant is subject to a decision based solely on automated processing within the meaning of Article 22 of the GDPR.
To learn more, please review our Privacy Notice on our website, by navigating to https://www.labconnect.com/
If you need assistance to complete your job application, search for a job opening, or submit an online application at LabConnect - please email
[email protected] or call +1 (423) 722-3155.
