Operational Implementation Project Manager

2020 Recruitment is delighted to be recruiting for an Operational Implementation Project Manager on behalf of our client for a 12-month contract supporting the implementation of operational services across multiple European sites.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong operational project management experience who understands laboratory or scientific environments and can coordinate complex implementations involving multiple stakeholders. While project management experience is important, our client is particularly interested in candidates with practical operational knowledge, particularly within laboratory operations, sample dispatch and regulated logistics.

The Role

You will be responsible for coordinating the successful implementation of operational services across multiple European locations, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations.

Working closely with internal operational teams, customers and subject matter experts, you will oversee implementation activities from planning through to successful go-live.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Implementation Management

• Lead the implementation of operational services across multiple European sites.
• Develop and manage implementation plans, timelines and key deliverables.
• Coordinate onboarding, training and deployment of operational processes and systems.
• Monitor implementation milestones and ensure successful delivery against agreed objectives.
• Ensure readiness for successful go-live across all sites.
• Identify, manage and escalate project risks and issues where appropriate.

Stakeholder & Governance Management

• Support the Programme Manager with overall governance and customer engagement.
• Build strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders throughout each implementation.
• Coordinate communication across laboratory, logistics, quality and operational teams.
• Prepare implementation updates, status reports and governance documentation.

• Experience of import/export and Dangerous Goods compliance.
• Ensure operational systems, documentation and workflows are fully established ahead of implementation.
• Support the transition from implementation into business-as-usual operations.

Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

• Proactively identify implementation risks and operational challenges.
• Manage day-to-day issue resolution throughout implementation and stabilisation.
• Support root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective action planning where required.
• Minimise disruption to customer operations during implementation and transition.

You must have:

• Experience delivering operational implementation projects or service transitions.
• Previous experience within a scientific, laboratory or life sciences environment.
• Knowledge of laboratory operations and/or sample dispatch processes.
• Experience working with Dangerous Goods regulations, including IATA and ADR.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience working across multiple operational teams and functions.
• The ability to identify risks and drive practical solutions.

Formal project management qualifications are welcomed but are not essential. Our client is happy to consider candidates with strong operational implementation experience who have successfully coordinated projects within laboratory, scientific or regulated environments.

Desirable Experience

• Pharmaceutical or Life Sciences industry experience.
• Laboratory operations or sample logistics.
• Import/export or regulated supply chain experience.
• Multi-site or European implementation experience.
• Knowledge of GDP, GMP or other regulated operating environments.