Lab Operations Specialist
About the role
The Lab Operations Specialist serves as a key liaison between internal and external stakeholders to ensure accurate, efficient, and compliant handling of laboratory inventory. This role focuses on the movement, storage, control, and protection of raw materials, supplies, work-in-process products, and finished goods, supporting critical lab operations and contributing directly to high-quality research outcomes.
This is a Contract to Hire, fully onsite position based in Emeryville, CA, embedded in an active laboratory and manufacturing operations environment that processes donated blood and bone marrow specimens into research-ready samples.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Manufacturing Operations, Donor Center, and Quality Assurance, to receive, inspect, release, store, monitor, and issue materials internally, and to ship finished goods to customers.
- Ensure the final disposition of materials and finished goods follows established processes, procedures, and quality standards.
- Schedule and perform cycle count activities, ensuring all counts are completed accurately and on time.
- Investigate and troubleshoot inventory discrepancies identified during cycle counts, and update designated metric reports accordingly.
- Monitor storage space availability within the area and recommend improvements to optimize space utilization.
- Participate in reviewing and updating material handling Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and company guidelines.
- Assist with the development and maintenance of metrics for Manufacturing Operations to track performance and efficiency.
- Support training of existing and new employees and participate in recruitment activities for new material handlers when requested.
- Comply with company policies and adhere to all safety requirements when handling materials and working in designated areas.
- Ensure equipment is maintained to high operational standards and promptly report any discrepancies or issues to leadership.
- Support management in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing and increasing the efficiency of material handling operations.
- Participate in special projects and perform other related duties as required.
- Perform responsibilities using appropriate Personal Prote Equipment (PPE) when required.
- Proactively carry out material handling activities, including shipping and receiving, inspection, tagging, and packaging of materials, discarding boxes appropriately, and maintaining the shipping area.
- Pick, pull, and package materials prior to internal issuance and/or off-site shipping.
- Handle finished goods under cryo-frozen conditions in accordance with established procedures.
- Apply basic inventory management principles, including FIFO and Kanban, to ensure proper material flow and control.
- Perform quality control inspections for incoming raw materials in line with applicable procedures.
Requirements
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in lab management.
- Hands-on experience with lab operations and lab equipment in a GMP or similarly regulated environment.
- Ability to write clear, accurate, and compliant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Strong understanding of ERP systems and inventory transactions.
- Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel.
- Physical ability to move moderately heavy and bulky materials safely.
- Familiarity with basic inventory management systems and methods such as FIFO and Kanban.
Skills
- Experience with electronic and paper-based inventory control systems.
- Experience handling cryo-frozen materials.
- Knowledge of quality standards such as ISO 9001.
- Working knowledge of creating pivot tables in Excel.
- Experience supporting manufacturing operations metrics and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Background in environments that collect and process donated blood and bone marrow specimens or similar biologically relevant materials.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to troubleshoot inventory discrepancies.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills for cross-functional work.
Schedule
This is an onsite role based in Emeryville, working Monday through Friday with flexible working hours.
Pay
The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $38.00/hr. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Benefits
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may include the following for eligible employees:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
- Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
- Short and long-term disability
- Health Spending Account (HSA)
- Transportation benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)