Chemify is revolutionising chemistry. We are creating a future where the synthesis of previously unimaginable molecules, drugs, and materials is instantly accessible. By combining AI, robotics, and the world’s largest continually expanding database of chemical programs, we are accelerating chemical discovery to improve quality of life and extend the reach of humanity.
Job Description
We are seeking an Operations Development Expert/Operational Excellence Lead to join our rapidly expanding team based at the Advanced Research Centre on the University of Glasgow campus. This role sits at the intersection of operations, process design, and delivery, working closely with chemistry, engineering, software, and leadership teams.
You will play a critical role in designing, improving, and scaling the operational systems that underpin Chemify’s platform-driven manufacturing and research capabilities. While this role does not require a chemistry background, it does require strong operational experience in complex, fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environments.
You will focus on building robust, efficient, and scalable operational processes, identifying bottlenecks, implementing improvements, and ensuring work flows smoothly across teams, systems, and sites. This role will be instrumental in supporting Chemify’s transition from rapid growth into sustainable, repeatable operations.
If you enjoy being hands-on while also thinking strategically, thrive on solving operational challenges, and want to help shape how a deep-tech company operates at scale, we’d love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- Analyse existing operational workflows to identify inefficiencies, gaps, risks, and opportunities for improvement
- Design, implement, and iterate scalable operational processes that improve efficiency, reliability, and throughput
- Enable smooth end-to-end operations by improving handovers and interfaces between Operations, Chemistry, Software, Engineering, and Quality teams
- Reduce friction across workflows by clarifying ownership, sequencing, and dependencies
- Lead structured continuous improvement initiatives, prioritising high-impact changes and ensuring practical implementation
- Support teams through operational changes, new systems, and new ways of working, ensuring changes are adopted and embedded
- Use operational metrics and qualitative insights to inform decisions, identify bottlenecks, and track improvements
- Help define, monitor, and improve KPIs related to operational performance
- Act as a hands-on problem solver, engaging directly with teams to troubleshoot issues during periods of growth or transition
- Work closely with Quality and Safety teams to ensure operational processes support compliance, consistency, and best practice
- Support the creation and maintenance of SOPs, process documentation, and operational standards that reflect how work is actually done
- Contribute to operational strategy and long-term planning as Chemify scales its platform and capabilities
What you’ll bring
- Strong experience in operations, operational excellence, or process improvement within technical, manufacturing, laboratory, or high-complexity environments
- Proven experience designing, improving, and scaling operational processes
- Ability to analyse complex systems, identify bottlenecks, and implement pragmatic solutions
- Experience working across multiple teams and disciplines, influencing without formal authority
- Comfort operating in fast-paced, ambiguous startup or scale-up environments
- Strong organisational, prioritisation, and execution skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (English fluency)
- A hands-on, outcomes-focused mindset with strong attention to detail
Beneficial Skills
- Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, or similar methodologies (formal certification is a plus)
- Background in manufacturing, laboratory operations, engineering, logistics, or technical operations
- Experience supporting change management and driving process adoption
- Strong data literacy and comfort working with operational metrics, dashboards, or reporting
- Calm, pragmatic, and resilient under pressure
- Curious, improvement-oriented, and motivated to make complex systems work better
Comfortable balancing hands-on operational work with strategic thinking