Biobank Operations Lead

The Biobank Operations Lead drives the day-to-day operation and continuous improvement of the Clinical Research Biobank, with ownership of biospecimen management, inventory systems, repository organization, data integrity, process standardization, and training. This is a full-time, onsite position reporting directly to the Biobank Manager. The role is a key operational and technical resource connecting Biobank Operations with Sample Acquisition, Discovery, New Product Development, Assay Dx, Reference Laboratories, and other Research groups. 

Why this role matters: 

In this role, you safeguard the availability, integrity, and traceability of the research biospecimens used across Clinical Research and diagnostic-development programs, protecting high-value and difficult-to-replace samples through sound storage, documentation, monitoring, and emergency planning. 

As the primary technical resource for BSI and Biobank processes, you shape the workflows, inventory-system configuration, repository organization, and data standards that multiple teams depend on, and you coordinate across upstream sample-acquisition groups and downstream research teams to keep specimen movement timely and accurate. You exercise independent judgment on complex specimen, data, and system issues and lead initiatives spanning multiple departments, research programs, and locations that advance the Biobank as a scalable, reliable research-support function. 

In this role, you will: 

• Lead daily Biobank activities including specimen receipt, processing, storage, retrieval, transfer, distribution, shipment, and disposition, while prioritizing workload against research timelines, operational capacity, and urgency.  

• Maintain specimen identity, integrity, and traceability, including accurate alignment between physical inventory and associated data. 

• Serve as system administrator and subject matter expert for the Biological Sample Inventory (BSI) system, including workflow development, configuration, troubleshooting, reporting, imports, and user support. 

• Safeguard data quality through validation, reconciliation, standardized identifiers, and inventory audits; support barcode and labeling workflows, including BSI/BarTender integration. 

• Manage freezer, refrigerator, archive, and staging-area organization, including repository mapping, storage-capacity planning, and legacy sample integration. 

• Coordinate incoming and outgoing specimen logistics, including manifests, shipment reconciliation, inter-facility transfers, and domestic and international shipping. 

• Support research programs through specimen selection, preparation, pooling, and retrieval, in coordination with research and instrument-development teams. 

• Identify and implement process improvements that reduce turnaround time, improve traceability, and standardize operations; monitor capacity, volume, and workflow performance to inform planning. 

• Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, training materials, and other operational documentation. 

• Train and support employees and collaborators on Biobank systems, workflows, specimen-handling practices, and data standards. 

• Lead cross-functional initiatives, including system implementation, repository improvements, legacy inventory, workflow standardization, and resolution of operational issues spanning multiple teams, systems, or locations. 

• Serve as the primary business-hours contact for freezer emergencies and specimen-storage events, coordinating response, relocation, communication, and business continuity; promote safe specimen handling and laboratory safety. 

What you need to succeed: 

• BS in a life science with 5+ years of biorepository or laboratory operations experience, or equivalent, preferred. BA with comparable experience will be considered. 

• Strong knowledge of biospecimen handling, storage, traceability, repository management, and research-support workflows. 

• Experience administering laboratory or biological inventory management systems; proficiency with BSI, Excel, and barcode and labeling tools. 

• Strong data-management skills, including validation, reconciliation, import preparation, inventory tracking, and large dataset organization. 

• Ability to translate operational requirements into practical system workflows, standardized processes, and clear documentation. 

• Process-improvement and problem-solving skills, including root-cause analysis and workflow optimization, and the ability to troubleshoot specimen, system, data, and repository issues. 

• Strong organizational skills and attention to specimen identity and data accuracy, with the ability to manage multiple priorities under changing research demands. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to train and mentor users and to lead initiatives across teams without direct supervisory authority. 

• Working knowledge of laboratory safety, frozen-storage environments, emergency response, and business-continuity practices; familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies preferred. 
  

What you can expect from us:  

• Salary range starting at $70,000 based on experience
• Opportunity for annual cash bonus 
• Health / Dental / Vision Benefits Day-One 
• 5% matching 401k 
• Additional benefits including but not limited to financial support, pet insurance, mental health resources, volunteer paid days off, employee stock program, foundation donation matching, and much more 

If you’re looking for a role that’ll challenge you, offer a variety of work and learning, while helping an amazing industry, we’d love to hear from you!  

Why IDEXX:

We’re proud of the work we do, because our work matters. An innovation leader in every industry we serve since 1983, our team members help pet owners worldwide keep their companion animals healthy and happy, ensure safe drinking water for billions, and help farmers protect livestock and poultry from disease.

We have customers in over 175 countries and a collaborative global workforce. Our culture embraces challenges and encourages learning and discovery. At IDEXX, you’ll be supported by competitive compensation, incentives, and benefits while enjoying purposeful work that drives improvement.

If meaningful work and a sense of purpose are at the top of your list, you’ll find it here. Let’s pursue what matters together. 

About the job location:

If you’re thinking about relocating for this role, here are a few things to know about living in Maine (often called “Vacationland”). The Westbrook, ME area provides great access to active downtown areas and the outdoors, with the coast and numerous mountains and hiking trails nearby. You’ll also find a number of large companies like ours in the area, creating a vibrant work culture.

You can learn more on the Portland tourism website:  https://www.visitportland.com/visit/resources/moving-to-maine/

IDEXX values a diverse workforce and workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

IDEXX is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.

While we appreciate our staffing partners, we are unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes.

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