Director of Operations

Job description

Location: Remote Compensation: $150-180k + Equity Start Date: ASAP About us Scientific Safety Alliance, or SSA, exists to Accelerate Science. Delightfully. SSA is growing at an exceptional rate and is rapidly rising Inc Magazines 2024 and 2025 list of fastest growing privately held companies. How fast? In a little over 2.5 years, we have acquired 19 companies and our growth is only accelerating. What makes SSA special? SSA is a 100% founder and employee-owned company. Every team member has a stake in the outcome, and everyone’s performance directly impacts the value of their ownership. We have grown from a handful of regional teams into one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States through a network of specialized local service companies. We serve the life sciences world, including pharmaceutical, biotech, hospital, and research facilities that rely on us to keep their controlled environments compliant and ready for discovery. Our mission is simple: remove the friction so our customers can focus on innovation. The Opportunity: Director of Operations The Director of Operations – North Carolina is the senior leader responsible for the overall performance, strategy, and growth of the North Carolina operating company. This role carries full P&L ownership, operational leadership, cultural stewardship, and strategic execution responsibility. Reporting directly to the COO and partnering closely with executive leadership, the Director of Operations will drive revenue growth, operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and team development while aligning local operations with SSA’s broader strategic objectives. A strong Lean leadership background is required for this role. Director of Operations must have demonstrated success implementing and sustaining Lean principles to drive measurable operational improvement, cost optimization, and cultural transformation. How You Will Make an Impact Strategic Leadership & Business Growth • Develop and execute the strategic plan for the North Carolina entity in alignment with SSA’s corporate objectives. • Drive revenue growth through customer retention, expansion, and business development initiatives. • Identify and capitalize on market opportunities within regulated industries. • Support integration of future acquisitions as needed. Full P&L Ownership • Own and manage the complete profit and loss performance of the North Carolina business. • Develop annual budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial plans. • Monitor revenue, margins, operating expenses, and cost structure to ensure profitability targets are met. • Drive financial accountability across leadership and functional teams. Operational Excellence & Lean Leadership • Lead the implementation and sustainability of Lean systems across all functions. • Drive continuous improvement initiatives using tools such as Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, 5S, and root cause analysis. • Establish a culture of operational discipline, waste elimination, and process standardization. • Optimize field operations, workforce planning, scheduling, and resource allocation. • Improve operational efficiencies while maintaining exceptional service quality. • Personally champion Lean thinking as a core operating philosophy. Team Leadership & Culture • Build, coach, and develop a high-performing leadership team. • Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement. • Serve as a change agent to drive operational and cultural transformation. • Ensure talent development and succession planning. Performance & Data-Driven Management • Establish and monitor KPIs aligned with financial and operational priorities. • Use data-driven insights to guide decision-making and continuous improvement. • Report performance metrics and strategic updates to executive leadership. • Drive accountability for results across the organization. What We’re Looking For • MBA or advanced degree preferred. • 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations or technical services. • Demonstrated, hands-on Lean leadership experience required. • Proven track record of implementing Lean methodologies that resulted in measurable operational and financial improvement. • Prior full P&L ownership experience. • Strong financial acumen and analytical skills. • Experience leading cross-functional teams in high-growth environments. • Strategic thinker with a hands-on execution mindset. • Strong communication and influencing capabilities. • High adaptability and resilience in complex business environments. Benefits • Equity ownership in SSA • 401k Match • 100% paid Medical Dental & Vision insurance • Health insurance (100% for employee and family) • Life insurance • Generous Paid time off • Parental leave If you have the skills we are looking for, and want to be a part of the rocket ship we are building, we want to hear from you!!