Laboratory Management Leader

The Role & Your Impact

This is a highly visible role combining operational, tactical, and continuous improvement responsibilities. The Lab Management Leader oversees laboratory operations, leads environmental health and safety programs, supports regulatory compliance, and ensures the effectiveness of laboratory support services across the Davis site.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day laboratory operations and support activities across research laboratories and shared laboratory spaces.
• Drive a strong EH&S culture by ensuring compliance with OSHA, Cal/OSHA, environmental, biosafety, and company requirements.
• Manage laboratory equipment programs, including maintenance, calibration, certification, asset tracking, and lifecycle planning.
• Conduct risk assessments, inspections, audits, incident investigations, and corrective action follow-up.
• Partner with researchers, Quality, Facilities, Procurement, IT, and Site Leadership to improve laboratory effectiveness, operational efficiency, and compliance.
• Manage laboratory purchasing activities, including consumables, chemicals, laboratory supplies, equipment, and service contracts.

What You'll Need to Be Successful

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Health & Safety, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience supporting laboratory operations, EH&S, compliance, or research support organizations.
• Experience managing safety and regulatory compliance programs.
• Working knowledge of laboratory safety, chemical safety, biosafety, emergency preparedness, and occupational health and safety principles.
• Experience conducting risk assessments, inspections, incident investigations, and corrective-action management.
• Experience with purchasing, inventory management, and vendor relationships.
• Strong project management, organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently while building strong partnerships across multiple functions.
• Strong commitment to safety, compliance, operational excellence, and customer service.
• Proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple activities in a dynamic R&D environment.

Additional Skills & Interests We Value

• Experience within biotechnology, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, food ingredients, fermentation, or research environments.
• Knowledge of Cal/OSHA regulations, California workplace violence prevention requirements, hazardous materials management, biosafety principles, and laboratory compliance requirements.
• Experience managing laboratory equipment programs and service contracts.
• Professional certifications such as ASP, CSP, CHMM, CIH, OSHA 30, or similar.
• Previous supervisory or team leadership experience.
• A continuous improvement mindset combined with strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

Ways of Working / Working Conditions

This is primarily an on-site position based in Davis, California. Regular on-site presence is essential. The team works a full-time Monday through Friday schedule, with some flexibility for urgent needs. Travel is typically less than 10% of working time.