Lab Director – Group Laboratory Services

About the role

The Group Director, Laboratory Services and Systems will lead and build a standardized, scalable laboratory operating model across Zuri Health’s markets. The role oversees the Nairobi reference laboratory, satellite and partner laboratories, laboratory operations, commercial performance, systems and technology, and supplier management.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Nairobi reference laboratory to ISO 15189 accreditation and define pathways for satellite labs.
• Design network logistics, including sample integrity, cold chain, transport, customs, and turnaround times.
• Standardise test menu logic, SOPs, quality thresholds and data structures across all markets.
• Own laboratory revenue, cost per test, reagent yield, instrument utilisation and gross margin.
• Consolidate equipment, reagent and consumable procurement under a qualified supplier list.
• Act as Laboratory Director of record for clinical trials and validation studies, ensuring GCLP compliance.
• Deliver bidirectional instrument interfacing, barcode‑driven sample tracking, reagent lot control and a complete test event ledger.
• Build the laboratory organisation across markets, including structure, competency framework, training, rota discipline and succession planning.

Required profile

• Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, Biomedical Science or equivalent; Master’s or MBA strongly preferred.
• Registered and licensed with the Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board, or eligible for registration.
• 12+ years of clinical laboratory practice, with at least 5 years in senior leadership overseeing multiple sites.
• Demonstrated leadership of an ISO 15189 accreditation cycle as the accountable leader.
• Experience operating a laboratory supporting regulated clinical trials under Good Clinical Laboratory Practice.
• Technical depth across clinical chemistry, immunoassay, haematology, microbiology and molecular diagnostics, with hands‑on experience on major platforms such as Mindray, Roche, Abbott or Siemens.
• Track record of Laboratory Information System (LIS) or HMIS implementation and analyser interfacing.
• Proven cost‑leadership with evidence of reducing cost per test while maintaining or improving quality.

Required skills

• ISO 15189 accreditation
• Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP)
• Laboratory Information System (LIS) implementation
• Bidirectional instrument interfacing
• Barcode‑driven sample tracking
• Reagent lot and expiry control
• Test event ledger management
• Major automated platforms (Mindray, Roche, Abbott, Siemens)