Regional Operations Manager

About New England Lab

For over 30 years, New England Lab, a full-service specialty sub-contractor, providing laboratory furniture systems to some of the leading universities, biotech, government, industrial, and medical research facilities in the Carolinas, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast. Across every project, we are committed to delivering a high level of customer service and position ourselves as the preferred laboratory furniture vendor.

Opportunity

As Regional Operations Manager, you are responsible for overseeing all aspects of projects in the Carolina region, delivering a well coordinated, quality product that upholds our standards of value and service, meets our goals of on-time installation, and maintains or improves profitability.

Role
You will lead the Durham office and project management team, overseeing all operational staff and personnel development—including hiring, training, and scheduling. You are responsible for all aspects of project management across the Carolina territory, including submittals, contracts, schedules, cost control, changes, delivery, installation, and closeout. You will maintain proactive customer relations and collaborate with the sales team on business development and Architect/Contractor relationships. This is a full-time salaried position, standard hours 8am–5pm M–F (subject to workload), reporting to the Vice President of Operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operations

• Manage daily office operations and communication
• Oversee and support warehouse operations and Field Ops personnel
• Hire, train, direct and develop all operations (admin, field ops) & project management personnel
• Oversee office & equipment (accounts: waste, electricity, internet, property management)
• Oversee all company vehicles (registration, inspection, maintenance, etc.)
• Oversee regional office budget to maintain profitability by creating and submitting monthly reports

Project Management

• Manage select company projects, assign projects to the team while providing guidance and support
• Oversee weekly PM meetings covering job action, open items, scheduling, and cost to complete
• Oversee project kickoff meetings
• Ensure delivery and invoicing schedules are current across engineering, purchasing, and accounting to keep projects on track
• Check and confirm shop drawings, order acknowledgements and product data submittals as needed on your projects or to support others projects
• Proactive communication and labor coordination with field operations for scheduling installers or other subcontractors
• Prioritize manufacturing schedules with primary vendors
• Manage cost control, contract status, and profitability by coordinating with accounting and reviewing cost-to-complete reports
• Provide feedback and closeout details to the estimating and sales team regarding project performance
• Maintain job completion open items lists to complete jobs efficiently and on time
• Assist with estimating and business development teams as needed to support sales
• Recruit, build and develop sub-contract installation teams
• Travel as needed for vendor relations, to other company offices, and for factory visits

Sales and Estimating

• Clarify scope of work with sales, estimating, and customers at the beginning of projects
• Review large estimates for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with capabilities before submitting
• Build and maintain relationships with key clients, vendors, and partners to support repeat business and regional growth
• Ensure handoff from sales and estimating to operations is thorough and well-documented to minimize scope gaps and change orders
• Collaborate with sales on business development efforts by offering operational insight during client meetings and presentations

Qualifications

• 10-12 years construction background with installation experience a plus
• 8-10 years construction Project Management experience
• 1-3 years Management experience (hiring, training and development)
• College degree (appropriate field experience may be substituted for this requirement)
• Able to effectively organize information, schedules and people
• Professional and clear communicator through face to face, phone, and electronic communication
• Excellent negotiating skills
• Strong math and computer skills (experience with MS Office suite)

Disclaimer

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

This position requires travel up to 50% of the time within the Carolina region, using both personal and company vehicles. A valid driver's license and a clean driving record are required (employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check). The role also involves physical activity, including bending to take measurements and lifting/moving objects weighing up to and exceeding 50 pounds, using proper OSHA lifting techniques. At times, extended periods of stationary desk work are required, involving significant use of the hands and wrists.

We are an equal opportunity employer; applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability and genetic information (including family medical history), or any other characteristic protected by law.

About the Community

Our team is devoted to creating laboratories that meet the needs of the scientific community. Great leadership and talented team members are the heart and soul of our thriving environment. Guided by our core values, we act with integrity by always doing the right thing, strive to exceed expectations, collaborate to foster shared success, honor our commitments, and pursue purposeful and continuous improvement through growth, training, and mentorship.

Benefits

We offer growth opportunities for motivated professionals and a great compensation package including dental insurance, medical insurance, pre-tax accounts for health and dependent care, 401K employer match, paid company holidays, and paid vacations.