Operational Excellence Senior Coordinator

Operations Senior Coordinator

R&D Port Sunlight & Liverpool Laboratories
Fulltime | Onsite

Job Purpose

The Operations Senior Coordinator plays a keyhands-onrole in ensuring our R&D laboratories and pilot plants run safely, smoothly, and efficiently. You will oversee theday to dayfunctioning of our scientificlabs and pilot plant, making sure equipment, materials, and operational resources are available and ready when needed.

Working closely with laboratory users, programme teams, andthird partypartners, you will helpmaintainhigh operational standards whileidentifyingopportunities to improve workflows and enhance the user experience.

The successful candidate will be proactive andhands on, bringing strong attention to detail, clear communication, and a calm, practical approach to problem-solving. They will work with discipline and reliability while helping to drive meaningful improvements that support an efficient and positive laboratory environment.

Objectives of the role

Lead daily laboratory and pilot plant operations

• Overseeday to dayfunctioning of labs and pilot plants,ensuring operational readiness.

• Work with laboratory users to ensure equipment, materials, and resources are in place to support planned scientific work.

• Act as a key interface between Unilever andthird partypartners involved in operational services andlogistics.

• Ensure laboratory equipment is booked, prepared, and ready when needed so scientific work can run smoothly.

Ensure high operational standards and compliance

• Set andmaintainUnilever’s operational standards for laboratory and pilot plant environments.

• Oversee stock management of raw materials, consumables, PPE, substrates, prototypes, and other experimentalmaterials. 

• Deliver training and refreshers on operational excellence systems and protocols.

• Liaise with Health andSafetyteamtomaintainstandards andimplement continual improvements

Enable digital, data-driven operations

• Use data tools (e.g., Excel, LIMS, Power BI/Tableau) to extract insights and support operational decision-making. 

• Champion digital ways of working to enhance connectivity, workflow efficiency, and data management.

Drive operationalimprovementsand workflow optimisation

• Streamline operational processes to improve speed, consistency, and user experience, spotting inefficiencies, frustrations, or repeated problems

• Ensure operational KPIs set by site leadership are met

Essential qualifications & experience

• Degree (or equivalent) in Science or Engineering.

• A minimum of 3-5 years’experienceworking in laboratory and/or pilot plant environments.

• Strong organisational, time management and project coordination skills.

• Excellent communication skills with confidence engaging diverse stakeholders.

• Comfortable operating in a flexible,fast changingenvironment and making practical decisions quickly.

• IT/digital skills including data extraction,manipulationand visualisation; familiarity with Excel, LIMS, PowerBIor Tableau.