Lab Operations Manager

BioMarin is the world leader in delivering therapeutics that provide meaningful advances to patients who live with serious and life-threatening rare genetic diseases. We target diseases that lack effective therapies and affect relatively small numbers of patients, many of whom are children. These conditions are often inherited, difficult to diagnose, progressively debilitating and have few, if any, treatment options. BioMarin will continue to focus on advancing therapies that are the first or best of their kind.

BioMarin’s Research & Development group is responsible for everything from research and discovery to post-market clinical development. Research & Development involves all bench and clinical research and the associated groups that support those endeavors. Our teams work on developing first-in-class and best-in-class therapeutics that provide meaningful advances to patients who live with rare diseases. Come join our team and make a meaningful impact on patients’ lives.

Responsibilities

Lab Operations

 

• Manage and lead the team of 2+ Lab Operations Associates with full accountability for Research Lab operations. Hire, lead, manage and develop the onsite team. Proactively engage the Lab Operations Associates in building, executing and improving the department. Create opportunities for lab ops associates to problem solve, develop creative solutions, and learn (build skills).
• Manage day-to-day operations in ~80,000 square feet of lab space, including general wet labs, molecular biology, production and purification space and cell culture laboratories.
• Responsible for Lab Asset Management Program for functional area that includes budgeting, purchasing, deploying, service contracts, utilization and scheduling as well as redeployments and retirement.
• Foster relationships and ensure there is a clear communication paths between Lab Operations and lab user groups to continually improve lab operations service models
• Responsible for CTE response program which includes account management on monitoring system and coordinating with response teams.
• Develop best practices, procedures and policies for Lab Operations globally incorporating input and feedback lab users and lab operations teams at other sites
• Drive continuous improvement in Lab Operations processes
• Instruct lab operations staff on procurement, inventory management, shipping and receiving, and equipment moves.
• Managing cryo freezers in a freezer farm: monitoring liquid nitrogen levels daily and connecting new LN2 dewars to cryo freezers as required.
• Communicate operations updates to scientists on a regular basis.

Lab Asset Management Program

• Responsible for establishing, gaining approval and executing a capital project plan within budget.
• Establish common practices to obtain quotes, submit contract for legal review, place orders, prepare for location set-up (Preparation of bench space, request IT support on computer and network, request Facilities support on utilities), manage equipment delivery, installation and set-up for use.
• Maintain Lab Asset tracking system for asset lifecycle management and ensure data accuracy for maintenance/calibration scheduling
• Work with cost center manager on budget for capital expenditures and equipment services.
• Responsible for Equipment utilization program and ensuring hardware and software are working smoothly to provide information around equipment utilization.
• Responsible for Pipette management and calibration program
• System owner for equipment reservation system.
• Collaborate with functional leads to understand and anticipate lab needs (space, equipment, instrumentation, storage, etc.) to develop short- and long-term area improvement plans

Lab Space

• Assist in development of efficient, standardized lab operations workflows
• Assign Lab Benches and CTE space and coordinate on and off boarding for new lab employees
• Responsible for coordinating lab expansion activities with users to meet needs of a growing organization.

Safety

• Serve as a representative on the Safety Committee and ensure that the labs are maintained in compliance with BioMarin policies and best safety practices
• Partner with key stakeholders to develop and continuously strive for a proactive, high bar safety culture.
• Work with EHS&S to help make EH&S programs successful at the site to include, but not limited to, Incident Management, Ergonomics, Exposure Risk Assessments, Chemical Hygiene, Hazard Communication, Biosafety Management, Respiratory Protection, Hearing Conservation and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Ensure the site is compliant with all environmental and safety regulations; including Federal, State and/or City regulations.
• Responsible for ensuring EHS&S conducts regulated waste removal to centralized pick-up sites.
• Triage, respond, and/or route service requests from lab users regarding safety, lab equipment, space, lab supplies, bio/chem inventory and waste

Lab Consumable Program

• Lead vendor managed inventory for lab consumables and media, then provide oversight and direction to vendor technicians regarding supply types, locations, and stock levels
• Ensure that lab issues and requests are addressed in a timely manner
• Establish and manage a service model and contracting strategy across Technical Development for order management, inventory management (including stock locations, stock levels and replenishment practices), and proactively manage supply shortages.
• Work with customers, Lab Operations staff and third-party vendors, to create and manage a master list of managed items onsite (by vendors and internally), stock locations, and stock levels to ensure that scientists have ready access to all basic consumables, critical materials. 
• Oversee adequate supply of specialty gases for the research and early development team

Above and beyond

• Oversight of delivery and commissioning of large capital projects
• Represent Research on cross-functional teams (Facilities, IT, EHS, Site Logistics) to complete projects, address issues and identify system improvements.
• Prior experience in construction delivery or as a tradesperson (carpentry, electrical, plumbing)
• Manage chemical, equipment, consumables and biological sample shipping and receiving
• Assist in sample shipment coordination activities to external vendors
• Actively participate in evaluation and future implementation of the LIMS system
• Other responsibilities may be assigned as needed

What We’re Looking For

• 8-10 years of progressive experience in operational leadership in R&D laboratory, biotechnology or pharmaceutical environment
• 3+ years of proven success leading teams of lab operations staff and vendors. Proven track record in managing and scaling lab operations
• 3+ years of process improvement experience
• Experience managing and prioritizing input from various key stakeholders to deploy a plan that meets the needs of the business
• Experience with managing preventive maintenance and repair of house utility systems (laboratory gases, vacuum, HVAC, electrical, DI water, etc.)
• Sound judgment and troubleshooting skills and the capacity to resolve diverse problems effectively and in alignment with business needs
• Oversight of delivery and commissioning of small capital projects
• Effective interpersonal, negotiation, influence, and communication skills with the proven ability to communicate effectively across all departments and levels of the organization
• Must be a creative and proactive problem solver; keen ability to anticipate needs and solve problems with sound judgment
• Is flexible and adaptable - Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced working environment and work in a diplomatic and tactful manner with others
• Ability to change on a dime, operate in a scrappy manner
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment where results are achieved

Additional Requirements

• This position requires 24-hour response availability seven days per week for emergency situations
• Significant standing, walking, moving, carrying, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling
• Ability to move and lift boxes and equipment up to 45 lbs
• Operate and routinely use hand and power tools

PLEASE NOTE: Absent a Medical or Religious reason that prohibits vaccinations, all our incoming employees must be vaccinated for COVID-19.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.