Director of Operations – Drinking Water & Wastewater South Central

Eurofins Drinking Water and Wastewater, South Central is seeking a Director of Operations to join our team. The Director of Operations is responsible for strategic planning and execution across laboratory operations, field services, sample logistics, and client reporting. This leader owns the full operational lifecycle, from field sample collection through final laboratory deliverables, and directly manages a distributed team of laboratory staff, field technicians, and operations coordinators across the Northeast region.

Director of Operations responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Laboratory & Field Operations

Oversee day-to-day laboratory operations and field service activities, ensuring seamless coordination between sample collection, chain of custody, and analytical workflows.
Manage field logistics including sample routing, courier scheduling, cold chain integrity, and turnaround time compliance across multiple collection points and client sites throughout the Northeast.
Coordinate with field teams to ensure proper sample collection protocols, container preparation, and preservation requirements are consistently met in accordance with regulatory and client specifications.
Serve as the operational escalation point for field-related issues including missed pickups, sample integrity concerns, and client site access challenges.
Partner with the Technical Operations team to align laboratory equipment capacity with field collection volume and project demands.

People Leadership & Team Development

Directly manage, mentor, and develop a multi-site team including laboratory analysts, field technicians, sample receiving staff, and operations coordinators.
Build and maintain staffing models that account for geographic coverage, seasonal volume fluctuations, and regulatory reporting deadlines.
Lead performance management processes including goal setting, regular 1:1s, performance reviews, and corrective action where needed.
Develop and execute onboarding and training programs for both laboratory and field personnel, ensuring new hires reach full productivity efficiently.
Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and psychological safety across all levels of the operations team.
Coach individuals within the Operations team to enhance productivity, engagement, and long-term career growth.

Compliance, Quality & Continuous Improvement

Carry out LEAN implementation through close coordination with the LEAN team; champion continuous improvement initiatives in both laboratory and field environments.
Ensure all operations are in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations, laboratory accreditation standards, and Eurofins internal policies.
Ensure all safety standards are upheld across laboratory and field settings, including vehicle safety, PPE compliance, and hazardous material handling.
Coordinate with the Quality team to ensure proper laboratory practices, documentation, and chain of custody procedures are consistently adhered to.
Report operational and analytical metrics on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis to senior leadership.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Basic Minimum Qualifications:

Education: BS/BA in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred but not required.
Experience: Minimum of 5 years of management experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership role managing either laboratory, field operations, or logistics personnel.
Demonstrated experience managing geographically distributed teams and field logistics operations.
Authorization to work in the United States indefinitely without restriction or sponsorship.
Professional working proficiency in English, including the ability to read, write, and communicate effectively.

The Ideal Candidate Would Possess:

Proven ability to lead, develop, and hold accountable a multi-layered operations team across lab and field environments.
Strong logistical thinking with experience managing routing, scheduling, and compliance across a regional or multi-site territory.
Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret operational metrics and drive data-informed decisions.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across field technicians, scientists, and executive stakeholders.
Proficiency in LIMS, routing/logistics software, and standard business productivity tools, a plus.
Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
Working knowledge of EPA methods, drinking water and wastewater regulatory frameworks, and laboratory accreditation requirements, a plus.

Additional Information

As a Eurofins employee, you will become part of a company that has received national recognition as a great place to work. We offer excellent benefits, including comprehensive medical coverage, life and disability insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid holidays, paid time off, and dental and vision options.

*The benefits package offered will vary based on the employee's full-time or part-time regular status.

We support your development! Do you feel you don't match 100% of the requirements? Don't hesitate to apply anyway! Eurofins companies are committed to supporting your career development.

We embrace diversity! Eurofins network of companies believe in strength and innovation through diversity, being an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination against employees or applications based on gender identity and/or expression, race, nationality, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and everything else that makes employees of Eurofins companies unique.

Sustainability matters to us! At Eurofins, we believe sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Guided by our vision to be the Global Leader in “Testing for Life,” our mission to contribute to a healthier and safer world, and our core values, we are building a strong foundation for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. Eurofins’ commitment to sustainability begins within our own companies through a shared responsibility to people and the planet. With climate change posing an imminent threat, Eurofins and its many companies recognize their duty to proactively reduce or offset the environmental impact of essential operations while also helping our clients do the same—serving as a true ESG Enabler.

Find out more in our career page: https://careers.eurofins.com/

Eurofins USA Environment Testing is a Disabled and Veteran Equal Employment Opportunity employer.