Job Description

Join us as Head of Operations and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity!
As the Head of Operational Excellence, you will lead the strategic and day-to-day deployment of Fera Group's operational business support systems/ processes across multiple sites, for maximum benefit in business efficiency and resilience. This role includes leadership of the central IT Department (including cyber-security) and critical support team for all matters relating to the portfolio of Fera Group's property footprint.
What you'll be doing:

• Deliver key cross-functional objectives in Operational Excellence aligned with Fera's 5 Year Growth plan, including supporting financial delivery and improving utilisation rates across all operational inputs
• Monitor performance metrics and identify opportunities for ongoing business operational performance improvement through data analysis, stakeholder feedback and innovation, to maximise revenues and margin% delivered across the business
• Oversee efficient management of central IT infrastructure, property footprint and wider operational systems, ensuring system, process and supply chain resilience and overseeing data integrity and compliance with regulatory standards and SLAs.
• Manage and mentor IT and property teams, fostering a culture of excellence, robust security, and continuous improvement across Fera's systems architecture to ensure all operational and scientific needs are met.
• Lead cross-functional projects including lab expansions, technology upgrades and process innovation, supporting the adoption of automation and drive digital transformation. Collaborate with internal stakeholders, external partners, and government clients to ensure successful delivery of operational requirements.
• Support Merger & Acquisition Due Diligence and Integration activities to optimise the roll-out of Fera best practice into newly acquired businesses (UK and overseas).

What we're looking for:
Essential:

• Proven senior leadership experience in operations and IT infrastructure within a scientific, technical, or laboratory environment
• Strong knowledge of IT architecture and systems/digital platform integration (e.g., LIMS, ERP, cloud-based tools).
• Demonstrated success in delivering best in class operational efficiency leading complex projects and multi-disciplinary teams
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong analytical, planning, and problem-solving capabilities: Professional qualification in Project Management practice.
• Experience with compliance frameworks and quality systems in regulated environments

Desirable:

• Experience working with government agencies or public sector clients
• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, Kaisen or other continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience of Merger & Acquisition Due Diligence and integration

What's in it for you?

• ?25 days' holiday (rising to 29) with the opportunity to buy & sell extra leave.
• Flexible working hours, on-site gym, restaurant, and free parking
• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice
• Company matched pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks' fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks...and plenty more.
• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle - from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology
• Fera operates a LTIP ( Long Term Incentive Plan) under which all employees are awarded points towards shares in the Employee Benefits Trust on an annual basis. The Employee Benefits Trust holds shares on behalf of our employee, at the point of an equity event the shares will realise a cash value.

What we hope you'll do next:
Choose 'Apply now' to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you. If you have any questions you'd like to ask before applying, you can contact
We're an equal opportunity employer, which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. We're committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. If you need the job description or application form in an alternative format or if you'd like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward, please email at and we'll get back to you.
At Fera, we're making the world a better, healthier and safer place. We're a joint venture partnership between Bridgepoint and Defra and we're working proactively to protect the world we live in and the food we eat. Our teams are investigating plant and bee health, crop protection and sustainable agriculture. Join us and discover better as you deliver world-class science for the future.

Skills Required