Lab Operations and Project Manager

About the role

VARITE is looking for a qualified Lab Operations and Project Manager in Foster City, CA. The client is an American biopharmaceutical company that focuses on researching and developing antiviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, influenza, and COVID-19. VARITE, established in 2000, is an award‑winning minority business enterprise providing global consulting & staffing services to Fortune 1000 companies and government agencies, with 850+ global consultants delivering scientific, engineering, technical, and non‑technical staff augmentation and talent acquisition. Location: Foster City, CA (Onsite). Contract Duration: 18 months.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Lab Operations partner providing operational leadership and issue resolution support.
• Lead cross‑functional projects including laboratory moves, infrastructure improvements, equipment relocations, and facility initiatives.
• Manage laboratory assets and equipment through planning, procurement, installation, maintenance, service coordination, and decommissioning activities.
• Coordinate stakeholders across Facilities, Procurement, Information Technology, Environmental Health and Safety, Finance, scientists, and external vendors.
• Support capital planning, operational budgets, purchase orders, invoice management, and project financial tracking.
• Monitor operational performance, identify risks, and implement corrective actions to improve laboratory efficiency and reliability.
• Develop and maintain operational metrics, dashboards, project plans, and governance processes to improve visibility and execution.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that reduce non‑scientific work, improve service delivery, and enhance the scientist experience.
• Support implementation and refinement of the Technical Development operating model, including standardization, stakeholder engagement, and scalable service delivery processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Business, or a related field with significant experience supporting laboratory operations, technical operations, project management, or research environments.
• Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex initiatives, influence stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and deliver operational improvements.
• Preferred experience includes laboratory infrastructure projects, equipment lifecycle management, capital planning, vendor management, operational excellence programs, and biotechnology or pharmaceutical laboratory environments.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement Plans: Participation in a company‑sponsored retirement savings plan
• Legal Service Plans: Offering access to attorneys for legal advice and representation

Pay

Pay Rate Range: $40.00 - $44.17/hr on W2