Manager, netCAD Blood4Research Operations

About the role

Canadian Blood Services is looking for a Regular full-time Manager, netCAD Blood4Reseach Operations to join the Network Centre for Applied Development (NetCAD) team within the dynamic Innovation and Portfolio Management group of the Innovation division.

The NetCAD team is responsible for supporting product and process development for fresh blood components and providing blood to researchers through the Blood4Research program. 

Canadian Blood Services’ netCAD Blood4Research Facility in Vancouver, British Columbia supports internal product and process development and provides specialized services to internal, affiliated and external researchers, as well as biotechnology and medical device companies. Designed as a “miniature blood centre,” netCAD operates as a flexible development facility, applying varying levels of control depending on the scope of work—from early-stage studies to full process validation.

In this role, you will oversee all aspects of facility operations, including resource management, financial performance, compliance, and the integration of collections, production, and testing to support research and development needs. The role leads staff and volunteer teams, optimizes operational processes, manages the donor base, and ensures the effective execution of development projects through strong stakeholder coordination and risk management. It also ensures the compliant and efficient delivery of blood and blood products to researchers while driving continuous improvement and alignment with organizational strategy.

Formula for success

• Harnessing your exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage changing demands, you will manage the netCAD facility by ensuring the availability and effective use of space, utilities, staff, equipment, and supplies; maintaining compliance with lease, safety, and operational requirements; overseeing budgeting, financial performance, and capital planning; ensuring equipment readiness and reliability; integrating collections, production, and testing activities with project and research needs; balancing capacity and demand priorities; fostering strong stakeholder relationships; and delivering accurate reporting and timely escalation of issues.
• Leveraging your demonstrated experience in leading, coaching and mentoring others, you will manage the netCAD development team by leading recruitment, defining roles, setting and evaluating performance, supporting staff development, and optimizing workforce planning and scheduling, ensuring alignment of skills and resources with project needs, resolving capacity and resource conflicts, maintaining high productivity and quality, and contributing as an active member of the netCAD management team.
• Utilizing your continuous growth mindset, you will oversee and continuously improve netCAD operational processes by implementing and ensuring compliance with national standard operating procedures, developing flexible and user-centric local processes where needed, and monitoring performance metrics to proactively manage risks and drive operational efficiency and improvement.
• Leveraging a strategic, donor-focused approach, you will manage the netCAD blood donor base by aligning donor capacity with current and future research demand, overseeing donor recruitment and retention strategies, integrating with broader donor programs, ensuring donor safety and an exceptional donation experience, and proactively addressing donor needs, feedback, and follow-up care.
• Applying your exceptional communication and prioritization skills, you will oversee execution of netCAD development projects by aligning priorities and resource allocation, applying appropriate operational controls, supporting project design and execution, mitigating risks and capacity constraints, serving as the primary on-site liaison for stakeholders, and ensuring effective communication, coordination, and delivery across all projects.
• Concentrating on your strong attention to detail and problem solving skills, you will manage the provision of blood and blood products to researchers through the Blood4Research program by ensuring ethical, regulatory, and program compliance; overseeing timely application review and approvals; coordinating donor recruitment, consent, and product supply; enforcing material transfer agreements; managing supply–demand allocation and communication; and ensuring appropriate cost recovery.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Desired education and skills

• Technical or life sciences degree (e.g., biological/medical laboratory sciences or engineering) with 10+ years of progressive operations and management experience in research, development, or manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge and experience in blood and blood component collection, production, and/or testing processes is preferred.
• Experience in blood industry product and process development environments is an asset.
• Experience working in and managing teams within matrix and hybrid environments is preferred.
• Experience managing within flexible, risk-based control environments is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.

What we offer you

• 4 weeks' vacation
• Annual performance award up to 10%
• Comprehensive group health, dental and vision benefits for you and your family
• Defined benefit pension plan
• Employee discounts, wellness program, professional resources

What you can expect

• This role requires you to be on site at our Vancouver site office (2150 Western Parkway).
• You may be expected to travel 1-2 times per year, and as required.