Lab Manager

This is an opportunity to join a rapidly growing company at an early stage and to have an impact on the development of its products, markets, processes, people, and culture.

We are seeking a highly motivated Lab Manager who thrives in the startup environment to support Elegen’s growth and our commercialized products. As part of the Operations team, your primary responsibilities include all things related to lab operations, environmental health & safety (EH&S), and facilities with some support for supply chain, and logistics.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a highly motivated self-starter looking to utilize their lab operations expertise to ensure lab compliance and best practices at a uniquely innovative, rapidly moving, high impact start-up. In addition to lab operations, you will be responsible for facilities management and partnering with the supply chain & logistics team. You will help us establish a strong culture of mutual respect, integrity, and collaboration while working alongside some of Silicon Valley’s best scientists and engineers.

Essential Responsibilities:

Lab Operations & EHS (Environmental Health & Safety):

• Manage day-to-day lab operations and functions.
• Implement improvement initiatives and efficiencies, and continuous improvements within lab operations.
• Manage external service vendors for chemical waste, biohazardous waste, and lab coat laundering services, etc.
• Maintain, review, and update all EH&S plans according to health and safety guidelines.
• Identify potential safety hazards and implement strategies/ solutions to continuously promote a safe working environment with the ability to effectively enforce rules to non-compliant personnel.
• Manage the proper storage of chemicals.
• Maintain stock of general/ commonly used lab ops supplies and small tools.

Lab Equipment:

• Manage lab equipment which includes equipment ordering/ purchasing, tracking, and coordinating logistics and receipt of new lab instruments.
• Maintain and log lab equipment into internal Equipment Inventory Master List, including asset tagging and tracking current and new lab CapEx (Capital Expenditure) instruments.
• Schedule all equipment service requests (preventative maintenance), and equipment repairs with external vendors in a timely manner to ensure no disruption for both Production and R&D workflows.
• Manage and maintain service contracts for all critical lab equipment used for both Production and R&D workflows, including documentation storage of all contracts.

Facilities:

• Ability to assist in lab space planning activities, including moving/relocating facilities.
• Manage and schedule service requests with external vendors as needed (e.g. janitorial, HVAC, electrical, etc.).
• Carry out physical lab tours for all new hires during the onboarding process.

Supply Chain & Logistics:

• Assist in supply chain activities which include inventory management of materials used for both R&D workflows and commercial products as needed.
• Effectively source alternatives for reagents and consumables used within the Life Sciences industry.
• As needed, assist in generating Customer Shipping Manifests (packing slips) and FedEx Shipping labels for all outgoing customer shipments.
• As needed, coordinate with the internal Production team to schedule FedEx pick-ups/ drop-offs, including packing of customer outgoing shipments.

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• B.S. degree in Life Sciences required.
• Minimum of 3 years of Lab Management experience required.
• Demonstrates accountability and knowledge regarding best lab practices and safety guidelines and procedures.
• Extensive knowledge on various chemicals used in standard Chemistry Labs is required. Including commonly used plastics and reagents in the Life Sciences industry.
• Ability to lift approximately 30-50 lbs. intermittently.
• Have strong communication skills and experience working with various external vendors.
• Experience with excel, procurement systems, and equipment tracking systems preferred.
• Ability to multitask, enjoys the start-up environment (being the jack/ jill of all trades).
• Highly organized and ability to prioritize overall workload, resourceful problem solver, and exudes strong time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment across 2 facilities (<1 mile apart).

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

• 3+ years of Lab Management experience required.
• Extensive knowledge on EH&S practices and guidelines.
• Extensive knowledge on various chemicals used in standard Chemistry labs is required.
• Ability to effectively function and thrive in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment (highly adaptable).

Salary and Benefits:

The annual base salary compensation for this role, if based in California is: $110,000 - $120,000. Compensation may be different in other locations.  Final compensation also includes bonus, equity and benefits.   Specific offer packages are determined by multiple factors, including candidate skill, experience, expertise, and location. 

✓ Healthcare    ✓ Dental    ✓ Vision    ✓ Learning Allowance

✓ 401K    ✓ Flexible PTO   ✓ Short Term Disability    ✓ Fitness Allowance