(CW) Laboratory Manager / Project Laboratory Move (CONTRACT/TEMPORARY)

BioMarin is a leading rare disease biotechnology company focused on genetically defined conditions. Guided by our purpose to develop medicines that make a profound impact on people’s lives, our global teams have delivered a portfolio of therapies since our founding in 1997. Our revolutionary treatments for conditions like achondroplasia, PKU, CLN2, and several forms of MPS offer new possibilities for patients and families who previously had few options. With the recent acquisition of Amicus, our portfolio now includes therapies for Fabry disease and Pompe disease, expanding our ability to reach more people living with rare genetic conditions.

About Technical Operations

BioMarin’s Technical Operations group is responsible for creating our drugs for use in clinical trials and scaling production for the commercial market. This team of engineers, technicians, scientists, and support staff builds and maintains cutting-edge manufacturing processes, ensures quality assurance and regulatory compliance, and coordinates the global movement of our drugs to patients.

This is a contract role requiring a hybrid schedule: 2 days a week in Novato during move planning and 5 days a week during the actual move. Working hours are 8 am to 5 pm.

About the Role

The Laboratory Move Project Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing complex laboratory relocations involving high-value scientific equipment, sensitive materials, and regulated environments. This role interfaces with MEPT trades to ensure successful lab integration into a new facility while maintaining continuity in current labs. The goal is a seamless transition of laboratory operations with minimal disruption to research activities, while maintaining compliance with safety, regulatory, and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Move Planning & Strategy
  • Define project scope, timeline, milestones, and critical path for laboratory relocation
  • Develop and manage relocation budgets, including vendor costs, calibration services, and waste disposal
  • Assess readiness of the new facility, ensuring alignment with technical requirements (electrical, data monitoring, HVAC, plumbing, ventilation)
  • Attend project OAC and specification development meetings
  • Serve as the primary liaison across stakeholders including laboratory teams, project management teams, equipment owners, EHS&S, Facilities, Real Estate, and Information Management
• Coordination & Communication
  • Lead regular project meetings and status updates to ensure alignment and issue resolution
  • Establish contingency and risk mitigation plans for equipment damage, delays, or operational impacts
  • Assign and coordinate internal team responsibilities, including labeling, inventory tracking, and data management
• Compliance & Risk Management
  • Ensure adherence to safety protocols for decommissioning, decontamination, and clearance of laboratory equipment and spaces
  • Secure and maintain required regulatory permits and approvals (e.g., DEA, EPA, DOT, FDA, CDC)
  • Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards
• Logistics & Execution
  • Maintain a comprehensive inventory of all assets, including equipment, chemicals, biological materials, consumables, spare parts (CMMS), and office supplies
  • Direct and supervise on-site moving activities, including sequencing, logistics coordination, and safety enforcement
  • Coordinate with specialized vendors for packing, transportation, and handling of sensitive equipment
  • Coordinate equipment recalibration, testing, and qualification with OEMs and vendors
• Post-Move Activities
  • Verify proper installation, utility connections, and placement of all laboratory equipment
  • Conduct final inspections and walkthroughs with safety and facilities teams to certify readiness of the new laboratory
  • Support formal closure of the previous space and operational release of the new environment

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Facilities Management, or a related field required. Project Management certification preferred.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 8–10 years of experience in project management, laboratory operations, or facilities-related roles
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience managing complex laboratory relocations, including large-scale moves (e.g., 300+ pieces of equipment)
  • Proven experience working within biologics or regulated laboratory environments preferred
  • Experience coordinating with equipment vendors, OEMs, and cross-functional stakeholders
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet)
  • Strong understanding of laboratory equipment lifecycle (shutdown, transport, calibration, commissioning, and qualification as necessary)
  • Familiarity with facility systems including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, process gases, process waste, and laboratory ventilation systems

Skills

• Strong project and program management skills
• Cross-functional leadership and stakeholder management
• Risk assessment and mitigation capability
• Technical expertise in laboratory operations and equipment
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills

Additional Information

• May require periodic on-site presence during move execution phases
• Ability to manage high-pressure timelines and complex logistical coordination
• Support the organization’s commitment to environmental protection, injury prevention, and continual improvement of EHS management systems
• Actively contribute to a safe and environmentally responsible workplace by identifying hazards, reporting incidents, and participating in EHS initiatives and training