COO

Today, precision medicine coupled with advanced diagnostics is taking over. However, those innovations in medicine come with an ever-increasing price tag driven by more expensive and complicated solutions making them less accessible unless we do something about it.

Signatur Biosciences was established with the mission of making cutting-edge diagnostic tools accessible to more patients around the world. As a startup we have developed a technology to profile complex molecular signatures in a single reaction using qPCR machines already in place in every biomedical lab around the world. Signatur Biosciences is a startup with a remote workforce, predominantly in London, UK, and is establishing a new laboratory facility in Liège, Belgium.

We're worried about accessibility in precision diagnostics and are building a team of individuals who share our passion for solving this problem through close collaboration and a sense of urgency. We're building a different kind of company, where employees think like owners, act with authority, and collaborate closely with one another.

We are seeking a highly motivated and driven COO to join our team. In this role, reporting to the CEO, you will be responsible for operationalising the strategy and ensuring the company runs efficiently, predictably, and at speed as we transition from development to commercial-stage operations. You will work closely with the entire team, including quality, regulatory, R&D, HR, laboratory operations and finance and further build on these existing competencies to develop a fully integrated manufacturing capability.

If you are a hands-on, execution-driven operator with deep experience in regulated IVD environments, a strong sense of ownership, and a bias for action, we’d love to speak with you.

About the role:

As COO, you will take full ownership of operations, manufacturing execution, and quality system implementation at the Liège site, ensuring that Signatur Biosciences scales efficiently while remaining compliant with ISO 13485 and IVDR requirements.

You will be accountable for the on-site team in Liège (currently ~6 people and expanding), providing senior leadership to translate company strategy into concrete execution and ensuring a high-performing and motivated team as part of an international organization

As COO, you will be an integral part of the executive team, working closely with the CEO, to help shape and develop the organization to ensure the successful execution of the company's strategy.

This is not a corporate or purely strategic role — it is a hands-on leadership position, embedded in the lab and close to the work.

Success in this role means that teams are empowered, decisions are taken at the right level, and the company operates with clarity, speed, and confidence.

Technical Expertise

Strong operational understanding of IVD manufacturing processes and constraints

Handson experience operating within ISO 13485compliant quality systems

Ability to balance regulatory requirements with speed and pragmatism in execution

Sound judgment in scaling manufacturing processes while maintaining quality and compliance

Comfortable engaging on technical topics with scientists, clinicians, and external partners

Skills, Experience & Attributes

Strong experience in IVD or medical device operations, ideally molecular diagnostics

Solid hands-on knowledge of ISO 13485 and regulated manufacturing environments

Startup experience from early development through early commercial stages

Pragmatic, hands-on operator with a strong bias for action

Comfortable being present on site and close to execution

Senior leadership in a dynamic environment

Direct experience with IVDR implementation or preparation

Manufacturing scaleup experience in diagnostics or medical devices

Main Responsibilities:

End-to-end operational execution across manufacturing, quality, and internal processes

Ownership of manufacturing operations, including day to day execution, scaleup readiness, commercial distribution and alignment with quality and regulatory requirements,

Operational interfaces with suppliers, partners, and external vendors, including supplier agreements, cost control, and active management of COGS

Ensuring successful interface with development to enable efficient transfer of products into routine manufacturing and distribution

IVDR readiness by coordination of regulatory driven operational activities

Internal operating cadence and prioritisation, keeping processes lean and fit for purpose

People and Functional Development

Lead, coach, and develop the on-site operations team, providing hands-on support where needed

Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and delivery

Working with external HR providers ensure compliance, and seamless