Lab Operations Manager/Senior Manager
South San Francisco, California
Operations /
Full-time /
On-site
ABOUT BRIGHTSEED
Brightseed®, the bioactives company is a World Economic Global Innovator that illuminates nature to restore human health. Brightseed’s proprietary AI, Forager®, accelerates bioactive discovery, biological validation, and ingredient formulation from years to months, rapidly revealing new connections between nature and humanity. Brightseed produces clinically proven bioactives for dietary supplements, food & beverage CPG, specialty nutrition and medical foods to power proactive health worldwide. Learn more at brightseedbio.com.
ABOUT BIOACTIVES
Bioactives are compounds found in plants, fungi, and bacteria that also benefit human health. They are an important part of a nutrient dense diet, and their health impact often goes beyond basic nutrition. For example, the bioactive lycopene found in tomatoes has been found to lower the risk of certain types of cancer and heart disease. In addition, there are multitudes of other bioactives that are only accessible through complex interactions within the gut microbiome. One example is the compound salicin found in willow bark, which transforms into salicylic acid when it interacts with gut microbes. Science has long known that bioactives are critical to human health, yet the vast majority remain unknown and are often referred to as the “dark matter” of nutrition.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Lab Operations Manager, you'll report to the Senior Director of Business and Lab Operations while overseeing the daily operations of the R&D laboratory. You'll ensure instrument uptime, compliance, and supply chain efficiency, acting as the primary liaison for R&D labs and guiding cross-functional teams in integrating cutting-edge technologies and best practices. Your responsibilities include implementing policies for organizational efficiency and maintaining high standards of quality to support growth targets and company objectives. This position works in close liaison with Procurement, EHS, and Technical Operations to support the lab by owning and managing the lab space. This is a 5 day a week onsite role and is required to be the primary on-call team member for all urgent lab matters during off hours.
YOUR IMPACT
- Direct responsible owner (DRI) of the laboratory operations and serves as the primary contact for emergencies as required (may require some time out of normal business hours).
- Manage instrument diagnosis, repair, cleaning and calibrations of scientific equipment to maintain 100% uptime per company objective and key results (OKR).
- Manage equipment purchases and relationships with vendors, service providers, and suppliers to coordinate equipment installations, repairs, maintenance and training activities minimizing disruptions to lab operations.
- Monitor and inventory lab consumables supply chain and stock areas to ensure optimal levels.
- Manage hazardous waste compliance and maintain proper documentation in collaboration with external vendors.
- Record and update accurate lab asset information within ERP, containing technical information and service history.
- Package, ship, and maintain steady flow of shipping and receiving of packages and freight for the R&D team.
- Support management of laboratory operations budget, including consumables, scope and implement cost savings measures, including service contracts and preventative maintenance (PM).
- Develop and manage laboratory organization and collaborate with the facilities group on building maintenance, repairs, lab upgrades to optimize process flow efficiency.
YOUR QUALIFICATIONS
- Manager: Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years experience; or equivalent experience.
- Senior Manager: Typically requires a minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years experience; or equivalent experience.
- 3+ years experience managing the servicing instruments with knowledge of instrument software.
- Experienced in calibrating instruments and general knowledge of troubleshooting and maintenance (experience in LC/MS desired).
- ERP experience is preferred.
- General asset and inventory management skills.
- Proactively identifying and implementing lab operations improvements.
- Work independently with minimal supervision.
- Supervisory experience is a plus.
- Ability to problem solve, both independently and with peers, to form and execute actionable plans to solve operational challenges.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills needed for our extremely collaborative environment.
- Experienced at maintaining a safe working environment, ensuring compliance to all local, state and federal regulations.
- Excellent attention to detail, compliance and quality.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills, with ability to manage multiple tasks or projects at a time.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- This position will consist of approximately 50% desk work, and 50% lab work.
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at time.
COMPENSATION
- The salary range for this position is $123,000 - $165,000
- Compensation for this position is commensurate with relevant qualifications and work experience, academic credentials, job related skills, employment location and other factors.
THE BENEFITS YOU’LL ENJOY
As a lab based company, where in person collaboration is key to drive innovation, we encourage all team members to be in our office most days each week. However we appreciate and honor the need and desire for flexibility and have implemented a hybrid working model for some positions which will be outlined on the job description. Our property provides a professional gym onsite, plenty of free parking, weekly tenant events and a state-of-the-art lab and office.
We offer a competitive total rewards package with team-first benefits programs for full-time employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage, unlimited paid time off, life insurance, employee assistance programs, 401(k) plan, a mental health platform, employee discounts, payroll credits for cell phone and commuter costs and a paid parental leave program.
JOIN US, AND BE YOU
We are committed to making transformative discoveries with a team-first mentality. Successful team members are truth-seeking and trusting, with the tenacity required to trail-blaze in uncharted territory. We are a collaborative team that actively seeks input and values differing perspectives. And we produce tangible results, holding ourselves accountable in the process.
We are also committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of connectedness and inclusion. We grow and learn together, respecting professional and personal experiences, areas of expertise, and types of self expression.
In recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that each one of us brings in terms of education, opinions, culture, color, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, religion, different abilities, sexual orientation and beliefs.
Brightseed requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, subject to accommodation. If hired we will require you to provide proof of vaccination.
