Operations Manager, Covalent Connect

Role Overview

Covalent Connect enables Covalent to extend its analytical services beyond its own laboratory by engaging a curated and vetted network of qualified partner laboratories and universities. Covalent Connect combines a global network of scientific partners with standardized operational processes and technology-enabled workflows to deliver a seamless outsourced laboratory experience.

The Manager, Connect Operations is responsible for day-to-day operational management of the Connect partner lab workflow, ensuring projects move efficiently from quote acceptance through final delivery while improving the systems, processes, and partner relationships that support Connect growth.

This role serves as the primary operational hub between partner laboratories, Commercial, Technical Leads, Project Managers, Finance, Software, Operations, and customers. The ideal candidate brings strong ownership of project execution, supplier performance, workflow improvement, partner communications, and scalable process development.

Key Responsibilities

Job Tracking & Delivery Management 

• Manage end-to-end execution of partner laboratory projects from acceptance through completion.

• Track project milestones, commit dates, turnaround times, delivery performance, and customer-impacting risks.

• Maintain project dashboards, status updates, operational visibility, and accurate records in internal systems.

• Escalate delivery risks, resolve bottlenecks, and drive corrective actions to closure.

Partner Lab Coordination & Supplier Management 

 • Serve as the primary operational contact for partner laboratories and universities.

• Build and maintain strong partner relationships while holding partners accountable for responsiveness, quality, pricing, and turnaround time.

• Coordinate RFQs, quote follow-up, submission forms, sample requirements, project updates, deliverables, and partner communications.

• Support onboarding, qualification, service capability tracking, and preferred partner development.

PartnerOS & Operational Systems  

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve PartnerOS, Covalent’s operational framework and digital platform for managing partner laboratories.

• Partner with Software and Operations teams to define business requirements for PartnerOS capabilities, including partner onboarding, secure collaboration, document exchange, project visibility, quality management, supplier scorecards, audit workflows, performance analytics, AI-enabled automation, and operational governance.

• Support integration of Connect workflows into Covalent’s Execution Template (BOM) platform to improve visibility, consistency, quality checkpoints, and operational reporting.

Financial & Administrative Operations

• Issue and track purchase orders to partner labs and maintain required project documentation.

• Coordinate NDAs, MSAs/vendor agreements, invoicing support, quote documentation, supplier records, sample logistics, and return documentation.

• Verify project revenue, cost, and margin inputs where applicable and escalate discrepancies.

• Support partner pricing discussions, discount opportunities, and commercial terms for larger or recurring work.

Quality, Audits & Supplier Performance

• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards, partner performance metrics, and operational dashboards.

• Support partner audit programs, qualification reviews, CAPA activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Standardize external deliverables, communication expectations, documentation requirements, and quality checkpoints.

• Use performance data to recommend preferred partner status, sourcing changes, and improvement actions.

Process Improvement & Cross-Functional Support  

 • Identify and implement workflow improvements that increase speed, visibility, scalability, and profitability.

• Support automation, AI-enabled operational tools, reporting improvements, and data accuracy initiatives.

• Partner with Tech Ops, Sales Ops, Operations, Technical Leads, Finance, Software, and Project Managers to improve customer outcomes and operational performance.

• Support strategic initiatives that expand Connect capabilities and strengthen Covalent’s scientific partner network.

Qualifications

Required 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Science, Chemistry, Biology, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience in operations, supplier management, project management, laboratory services, manufacturing operations, technical services, or a related field.

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage many parallel projects, partners, and priorities.

• Experience coordinating external vendors, suppliers, service providers, or technical partners.

• Excellent communication, follow-through, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

• High attention to detail and comfort operating in a fast-paced environment with evolving systems and processes.

Preferred 

• Experience in laboratory services, analytical testing, scientific operations, manufacturing operations, or technical services.

• Familiarity with quoting workflows, purchase orders, vendor onboarding, contract administration, or supplier management.

• Experience with ERP, CRM, LIMS, workflow management, or supplier management systems.

• Exposure to ISO, quality systems, supplier scorecards, SLAs, audits, or CAPA processes.

• Experience supporting operational automation, dashboards, reporting tools, or AI-enabled workflows.

Success Metrics

 • Improved partner responsiveness, quote turnaround time, project turnaround time, and on-time delivery performance.

• Accurate job tracking, sample tracking, data quality, dashboard maintenance, and timely operational updates.

• Initial PartnerOS capabilities launched and adopted by internal teams and selected partners.

• Supplier scorecards, audit workflows, and partner qualification standards implemented.

• Improved operational visibility across active projects, partner performance, costs, and delivery risks.

• Stronger preferred partner relationships, improved supplier utilization, and better margin discipline.

• Timely escalation of operational risks and consistent closure of corrective actions.