Lab Operations Manager

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary responsible person for laboratory operation needs and primary contact for special circumstances.   
• Manage procurement and maintenance of supplies, chemicals, and biological inventories - ensure consumables, buffers, reagents, and samples are stocked, created, and shipped as needed. 
• Manage laboratory equipment - including cataloging, surveillance, routine maintenance, and repair.
• Develop and implement quality assurance programs to maintain and calibrate key equipment. 
• Establish, maintain, and enforce laboratory policies and protocols.  
• Onboard new lab staff, including training in standard operating procedures, equipment-specific requirements, and ordering.  
• Manage lab ordering system - including placing and tracking orders, payments, shipping logistics, and invoice management.  
• Act as point of contact for Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), including management of lab permits, protocol, training, and external liaising. 
• Monitoring and overseeing lab safety compliance with established guidelines, including monitoring and maintenance of laboratory waste streams.  
• Generate status reports, including but not limited to, inventory levels, operations expenditure, lab incidents, or deviations from standard protocols. 
• Serve as the primary procurement liaison for vendor database maintenance, vendor relationships, price negotiations, quoting, and purchase of lab equipment. 
• Perform lab duties as needed, such as autoclave, glassware wash, or preparation of common supplies. 
• Proactively seek ways to improve individual and team-wide scientific processes and operations to minimize risk events. 
• Perform other duties as requested.

Basic Qualifications

• BS in microbiology, molecular biology, environmental biology, or related fields is required.
• At least 3 years of proven experience in lab management in a microbiology lab.
• Self-motivated and self-directed, able to make independent and effective decisions in appropriate situations.
• Thorough understanding of microbiology research methodologies.
• Must be familiar with the operation of standard lab equipment and with lab safety and biosafety procedures.
• Demonstrate aptitude for technical problem-solving and budget management.
• Ability to multi-task and work effectively with a diverse group of people.
• Creative thinking, and problem-solving skills. 
• Highly organized with attention to detail.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Drive/documents. Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to adapt to changing projects and goals.
• A positive can-do attitude with initiative and adaptability in a team-based setting.

Advance Qualifications

• Lab management experience in a startup setting. 
• Proficiency with Quartzy ordering system.
• Experience with managing highly automated, high-throughput screening laboratories. 
• Experience in handling vendor legal contracts, MTA documentation, and material shipping.  
• Experience with viral, cell culture, or plant laboratory procedures and equipment.
• Supervisory experience.