Head of Operations

WHO WE ARE

Parse Biosciences, a QIAGEN company, is a global life sciences company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The company develops and commercializes single-cell sequencing technologies and related products used in biomedical research. Parse products are utilized in more than 3,000 laboratories worldwide and include Evercode™ Whole Transcriptome, Evercode™ TCR, Gene Capture, and associated software solutions.

Founded based on technology developed at the University of Washington, Parse operates a 34,000-square-foot headquarters and laboratory facility in Seattle’s South Lake Union district. 

THE POSITION

The Head of Operations is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and strategic direction of the Seattle manufacturing site and headquarters of Parse Biosciences, a QIAGEN company. This role ensures the reliable supply of products while meeting the highest standards of quality, regulatory compliance, safety, customer service, and operational efficiency.

Reporting to the Vice President, NA Operations / Head of Manufacturing Operations, this position serves as the senior leader for all site operations and is accountable for manufacturing performance, quality culture, financial results, organizational capability, continuous improvement, and long-term growth strategy. The individual will lead a cross-functional leadership team, build scalable capabilities to support continued growth, and foster a culture of compliance, accountability, innovation, agility, and employee engagement.

This position is based at our Seattle, WA headquarters. Regular on-site presence is required, and relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates from within the United States.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Leadership & Strategy

• Provide overall leadership for all site functions, including Manufacturing, Quality Control, Engineering, Supply Chain, Facilities, EHS, and Operational Excellence.
• Support/manage facility, processes and personnel to support significant growth
• Develop and execute the site's strategic plan in alignment with corporate objectives.
• Establish a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, delivery, compliance, and cost competitiveness.
• Lead the Operations Leadership Team and ensure effective communication and collaboration across all functions.
• Represent the site in executive leadership reviews and corporate governance meetings. 
• Ensure seamless product transfer and LCM activities related to Operations
• Support lab services activities and provide facilities support for onsite research and development

Manufacturing Operations 

• Drive production performance to achieve customer demand, inventory targets, and business objectives.
• Optimize manufacturing processes through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead capacity and workforce planning, facility expansion, process scale-up, and technology implementation to support evolving business needs.
• Ensure safe, compliant, and efficient execution of manufacturing operations.
• Ensure business continuity and operational resilience. 

Quality & Regulatory Compliance

• Responsible for process and product change management 
• Partner closely with Global Quality Assurance to maintain a strong quality culture and inspection readiness.
• Lead regulatory inspections, customer audits, and internal compliance reviews.
• Ensure timely resolution of quality issues, CAPAs, deviations, and risk assessments.
• Maintain robust quality systems that support operational excellence and product reliability. 

Financial & Business Management

• Own site operating budgets, capital expenditure plans, and financial performance.
• Drive cost improvement initiatives while maintaining quality and customer service standards.
• Develop annual operating plans and long-range investment strategies.
• Monitor and improve key operational metrics, including productivity, OEE, margin performance, inventory, and service levels.

People Leadership

• Develop and coach site leadership team members and future operational leaders.
• Drive employee engagement, succession planning, and talent development.
• Ensure an inclusive, high-accountability culture focused on collaboration and results.
• Support workforce planning aligned with current and future business demands.
• Lead organizational change initiatives and transformation programs.

Environmental Health & Safety

• Champion a zero-incident safety culture.
• Ensure compliance with all environmental, health, safety, and sustainability requirements.
• Lead risk mitigation, emergency preparedness, and business continuity planning.
• Promote employee wellbeing and safe operating practices throughout the facility.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, Industrial Management, or related field.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated success leading and scaling a manufacturing site or complex manufacturing operation through periods of growth or change.
• Experience managing multi-functional teams including Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and EHS.
• Proven track record driving operational excellence, productivity improvements, organizational growth, and scalable capability development.
• Experience leading regulatory inspections and audits.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing technologies, validation, and quality systems.
• Experience operating effectively in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment where both strategic leadership and hands-on problem solving are required. 

Technical Competencies

• Capacity and production planning
• Manufacturing engineering and process optimization 
• Supply chain and inventory management
• Budgeting and financial management
• Quality Systems compliance  
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma
• Operational Excellence methodologies
• Risk management and business continuity

Leadership Competencies

• Results-oriented mindset
• Customer focus and quality-first leadership
• Ability to lead through complexity and ambiguity 
• Agility, resourcefulness, and a practical approach to building scalable solutions
• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Executive presence and stakeholder management
• Organizational development and talent leadership
• Change management and transformation leadership
• Decision-making under pressure
• Strong communication, influencing, and stakeholder-management skills

Success Measures

The Manufacturing Site Head will be evaluated on:

• Customer service and on-time delivery
• Cost and productivity performance
• Budget performance
• Safety performance
• Quality systems compliance
• Product quality metrics
• Employee engagement and retention
• Continuous improvement results
• Leadership team development and succession readiness
• Achievement of strategic site objectives and development of scalable capabilities to support continued growth

Parse Biosciences is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

As part of our commitment to fairness and inclusion, we do not use artificial intelligence or automated systems to screen job applications. Every application is reviewed by a member of our hiring team to ensure that hiring decisions are made thoughtfully and equitably.

• Medical, dental, vision, and Rx (prescription) coverage beginning on the 1st day of the month following your start date. Parse covers 90% of the monthly premiums for employees, and 60% for dependents.
• A 401(k) program with no waiting period to participate
• Basic life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage. Monthly premiums for both are covered at 100% by Parse.
• Flexible spending account (FSA) options for medical, dependent care, and commuter expenses
• A transportation program (Seattle only)
• 12 paid holidays annually and a winter holiday break
• A generous time off policy