Senior Product Operations Manager

About Chemify

Chemify is revolutionising chemistry. We are creating a future where the synthesis of previously unimaginable molecules, drugs, and materials is instantly accessible.

Job Description

Chemify is looking for a Senior Product Operations Manager to lead the delivery of our commercial projects, acting as a technical and operational bridge between Business Development, Commercial Clients, Hardware and Software Engineering, Chemistry/Lab teams, and Quality. Reporting to the Lead Product Operations Manager, you’ll own client relationships end-to-end — from scoping and onboarding through to delivery and close-out — while supervising and developing a team of four within Product Operations.

Key Responsibilities

- Own the end-to-end management of Chemify’s commercial projects, from initial scoping and onboarding through to delivery and close-out - Act as the primary point of contact for clients, managing expectations, providing regular progress updates, and handling escalations - Translate client requirements into actionable project plans, coordinating resources and timelines across internal teams - Monitor project milestones, identify risks early, and implement corrective actions to keep deliverables on track - Produce accurate and timely project documentation, reports, and client-facing deliverables - Work closely with Hardware and Software Engineering to coordinate test plans for hardware revisions and software updates as they relate to commercial delivery - Collaborate with Business Development to ensure smooth handovers from sales to delivery and feed client insights back into product development - Interface with Chemistry/Lab teams to understand operational constraints and champion Chemify’s technology capabilities to clients - Partner with the Quality team to ensure project deliverables meet required standards and compliance obligations - Identify and implement more efficient processes and systems for digitising chemistry workflows - Supervise and mentor a team of four Product Operations staff, assigning projects and tasks to ensure balanced workloads and timely delivery - Carry out line management duties including recruitment, appraisals, and performance management, liaising with HR as required - Develop and deliver training to team members on Chemify’s products, processes, and client engagement standards - Oversee accurate reporting of process, hardware, and software issues observed during project delivery, ensuring timely resolution - Maintain and improve project tracking systems, dashboards, and reporting tools to provide visibility on portfolio status - Contribute to the development of internal KPIs and metrics that drive operational excellence - Ensure compliance with Chemify’s Health & Safety and Quality policies, supporting audits, investigations, and continuous improvement activity across the team

Essential Qualifications

One of the following: - MSc in Chemistry or a closely related discipline, with significant post-qualification experience in a relevant operational, project management, or client-facing role - PhD in Chemistry or a closely related discipline, with demonstrable (typically 5+ years) experience in a relevant operational, project management, or client-facing role

Essential Experience and Knowledge

- Substantial experience managing commercial or client-facing projects in a scientific, technology, or operational environment - Proven ability to manage client relationships, including onboarding, expectation management, and escalation handling - A broad understanding of chemistry and curiosity for laboratory and automated chemistry processes - Demonstrable experience leading, mentoring, and developing a team, including line management responsibilities - Experience training others - Strong communication skills (fluent in English), with the ability to interface effectively across technical and non-technical stakeholders - Strong interpersonal and organisational skills - Experienced in using Microsoft Office and comfortable working with data and reporting tools - Able to work as part of a diverse, cross-functional team across multiple sites - Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities - Resilient and solution-oriented, with the ability to drive delivery under pressure

Beneficial Skills

- Suitable professional qualifications - Experience with project management tools such as Jira or Asana - Familiarity with data analysis and reporting tools (e.g. Excel dashboards, Python) - Experience with CRM or client management platforms - Experience with ELN (Electronic Lab Notebook) or LIMS systems - Experience with automated or digital chemistry platforms - Familiarity with software tools such as VS Code or Linux environments - Enthusiasm for pushing automation approaches in chemistry