Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Cold Room/Freezers -22degreesF/-6degrees C, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Warehouse, Will work with hazardous/toxic materials
Job Description
The Director, US Sample Management & Site Services provides dedicated operational leadership for the Covington operation and is accountable for the end-to-end US pre-analytical sample journey, including specimen receipt, accessioning, sample processing and routing, exception management, and associated Site Services. The role ensures samples move accurately, compliantly, and predictably from receipt to a testing-ready handoff to Laboratory Operations.
The Director leads a high-volume, regulated operation requiring strong people leadership, process discipline, quality execution, and continuous improvement. This role establishes clear operating standards and performance management while partnering closely with Laboratory Operations, Client Delivery, Quality, Supply Chain, IT/Data, Scientific Affairs, and other GCL functions to resolve sample issues, reduce handoff failures, improve turnaround time, and strengthen the customer and study experience.
The RoleThe Director, US Sample Management & Site Services provides dedicated operational leadership for the Covington operation and is accountable for the end-to-end US pre-analytical sample journey, including specimen receipt, accessioning, sample processing and routing, exception management, and associated Site Services. The role ensures samples move accurately, compliantly, and predictably from receipt to a testing-ready handoff to Laboratory Operations.
The Director leads a high-volume, regulated operation requiring strong people leadership, process discipline, quality execution, and continuous improvement. This role establishes clear operating standards and performance management while partnering closely with Laboratory Operations, Client Delivery, Quality, Supply Chain, IT/Data, Scientific Affairs, and other GCL functions to resolve sample issues, reduce handoff failures, improve turnaround time, and strengthen the customer and study experience.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities- Develop and execute the Sample Management & Site Services operating strategy aligned with GCL business priorities, customer commitments, quality requirements, and growth plans.
- Own end-to-end performance for specimen receipt, accessioning, sample processing, routing, storage/handling, testing-ready handoff, and associated pre-analytical workflows within the US operation.
- Lead US Site Services and establish effective processes for investigation, triage, resolution, and communication of problem samples and other sample-related exceptions.
- Establish and actively manage operational KPIs including turnaround time, backlog/WIP, accessioning accuracy, exception aging, productivity, quality events, service levels, and other measures of sample-flow performance.
- Build a robust operating management system with clear standard work, escalation pathways, tiered accountability, root-cause problem solving, and sustained continuous improvement.
- Ensure operations are performed in accordance with applicable quality systems, regulatory requirements, safety standards, SOPs, and client/study requirements; partner with Quality on deviations, CAPA, audit readiness, and inspection responses.
- Own workforce planning, staffing, scheduling, training, onboarding, qualification, performance management, and leadership development for the organization.
- Design and continuously improve onboarding and training systems to accelerate time-to-proficiency, strengthen first-time-right performance, and sustain workforce capability.
- Partner with Laboratory Operations to define and continuously improve the testing-ready handoff, resolve cross-site flow constraints, and ensure clear accountability for issues spanning Sample Management and laboratory testing.
- Partner with Client Delivery and other customer-facing teams on significant sample issues, escalations, study risks, and corrective actions while ensuring timely and accurate operational communication.
- Develop operating plans, budgets, forecasts, capacity plans, and resource requirements for the Covington operation; identify and execute productivity and cost-improvement opportunities.
- Lead change initiatives, technology/process improvements, and automation opportunities that improve sample flow, quality, employee experience, scalability, and customer outcomes.
- Recruit, develop, coach, and retain high-performing leaders and teams while fostering a culture of safety, quality, accountability, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
Key Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic/vocational qualification in life sciences, operations, business, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
- Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (typically comparable to 12+ years), including significant leadership experience in high-volume regulated operations, clinical laboratory/sample management, logistics, healthcare, life sciences, or a comparable environment. Experience leading operational transformation and large teams is strongly preferred.
- 5+ years of management responsibility
- Strong leadership skills
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Executive-level operational leadership and change management
- Clinical laboratory sample/specimen management and pre-analytical operations
- Quality systems, regulatory compliance, and audit readiness
- High-volume workflow, capacity, and workforce management
- Data-driven performance management and operational analytics
- Lean/continuous improvement and structured problem solving
- Cross-functional and cross-site process integration
- Customer and study delivery orientation
- Budgeting, forecasting, and business/financial acumen
- Talent development, coaching, and organizational capability building
- Executive communication, influencing, and stakeholder management
- Ability to lead effectively in a fast-paced, regulated environment
Work Environment
Thermo Fisher Scientific values the health and wellbeing of our employees. We support and encourage individuals to create a healthy and balanced environment where they can thrive. Below is listed the working environment/requirements for this role:
- Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.
- Able to work upright and stationary for typical working hours.
- Able to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with proficiency.
- Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities.
- May require travel up to 25%
