Director of Operations

ARE YOU A PROCESS-DRIVEN PROFESSIONAL WITH A PASSION FOR OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE? LOOK NO FURTHER -

Tentamus North America is seeking a strategic, people-focused, and operationally driven Director of Operations to lead and elevate our laboratory operations at Analytical Food Laboratories in Grand Prairie, Texas.

In this key executive leadership role, you’ll oversee the daily activities of all laboratory areas—ensuring work is conducted safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, GMP requirements, regulatory expectations, and the AFL Quality Management System (QMS).

You’ll champion operational integrity, support the growth and development of our laboratory teams, and drive process efficiency and continuous improvement across the organization. With responsibility for meeting AFL’s turnaround time goals, quality standards, and strategic initiatives, this role is ideal for a leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, science‑centered environment and is passionate about strengthening the people, processes, and systems that keep our labs running at their best.

As the Director of Operations, you will collaborate extensively with the Chemistry Laboratory Manager, Microbiology Laboratory Manager, and Sample Management & Logistics leadership to ensure consistent operational execution, compliance, process development, staff training, and continuous improvement across all laboratory functions.

(Position interfaces with the Quality Unit but does not override QA decisions related to compliance, validity of results, or release of data.)

• Provide executive oversight of all laboratory operations, ensuring efficient workflow execution, operational integrity, and strict adherence to AFL policies, procedures, and all regulatory/accreditation requirements (ISO/IEC 17025, A2LA, USDA, FDA, etc.).
• Monitor and strengthen operational performance across all laboratory areas through structured process improvement, resource planning, workflow standardization, and effective allocation of personnel and equipment.
• Ensure laboratories consistently meet turnaround time (TAT) expectations, quality standards, and operational continuity, including equipment functionality, maintenance, calibration, and documentation of all service activities.
• Identify operational issues or gaps, elevate as appropriate, and present recommended solutions to leadership.
• Conduct regular operational meetings to communicate organizational goals, updates, and performance expectations clearly and consistently.

• Ensure all laboratory operations are executed safely and in full compliance with all regulatory bodies, accreditation standards, and the AFL Quality Management System (QMS).
• Oversee completion and documentation of all required quality activities, including training, internal/external audits, proficiency testing, corrective actions, and method qualifications.
• Review and evaluate nonconforming results; lead or support corrective action investigations and verify the effectiveness of implemented solutions.
• Review and approve laboratory procedures, operational processes, and documentation to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance across all test areas.

• Develop, guide, and support the laboratory leadership team through coaching, structured feedback, performance assessments, succession planning, and ongoing professional development.
• Oversee staffing planning and personnel management, including hiring, onboarding, scheduling, competency verification, and continuous training for laboratory personnel.
• Promote a collaborative, accountable, results‑driven culture that supports communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement across all departments.

• Review operational outputs, data, and reports to ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with internal standards and customer expectations.
• Provide operational summaries, performance metrics, and progress updates on strategic initiatives to the executive leadership team.
• Collaborate with internal…