Lab Manager

At BioFire Defense, our workplace is as vibrant as our mission: casual vibes, intense execution, and a passion for IMPACT.

Job Title: Lab Manager

Department: Molecular R&D - Dept 30

Reporting Relationships

Direct Supervisor: Director of R&D Operations

No. Positions Supervised: 1-2

List:

Assistant Lab Manager, Intern, Research Associate

Description and Responsibilities

Position Summary:

The Lab Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational management of BioFire Defense's Research and Development laboratories, ensuring laboratory facilities, equipment, supplies, and support systems remain safe, compliant, organized, and fully operational to support research, product development, and quality control activities. The position oversees laboratory operations, coordinates laboratory maintenance, manages laboratory resources, and ensures compliance with company Quality Systems, biosafety requirements, and laboratory safety standards.

The Lab Manager exercises independent judgment in prioritizing and coordinating laboratory operations and resources. This position continuously works on process improvements to enhance laboratory efficiency and readiness when identified. Working collaboratively with Quality, Health, Safety & Environment (HSE), Facilities, Materials Management, Manufacturing, R&D and Regulatory personnel, this role supports the successful execution of scientific programs by maintaining a productive, compliant, and well-managed laboratory environment.

This position also provides day-to-day management of other Lab Management personnel, promotes operational excellence, and fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and laboratory safety. May provide guidance to other laboratory employees.

This is a full-time exempt position reporting to the Director of R&D Operations.

Principal Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Laboratory Operations

• Manage the daily operations of the Research and Development laboratories to ensure laboratory facilities remain safe, organized, compliant, and operational.
• Coordinate Laboratory Management resources and operational priorities to support research activities and departmental objectives.
• Oversee routine laboratory maintenance and ensure timely resolution of facility and operational issues.
• Develop and maintain laboratory cleaning schedules and contamination practices to ensure laboratory readiness.

Quality, Safety, and Compliance

• Collaborate with Quality to ensure laboratory operations comply with applicable Quality System requirements, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instruction Documents (WIDs), and other controlled documentation.
• Develop, maintain, and revise laboratory procedures and support documentation.
• Collaborate with HSE and Biosafety Officers (BSOs) to maintain compliance with laboratory safety, biosafety, and environmental requirements.
• Support laboratory readiness for internal audits and inspections.

Equipment and Laboratory Infrastructure

• Coordinate equipment installation, maintenance, calibration, preventative maintenance, and repair activities with internal departments and external vendors.
• Monitor laboratory equipment uses and performance, including environmental monitoring systems and responds appropriately to operational alarms or excursions.
• Coordinate contamination monitoring activities, including environmental swabbing and implementation of contamination prevention procedures.

Inventory and Resource Management

• Manage laboratory inventories of consumables, reagents, and general laboratory supplies to ensure uninterrupted laboratory operations.
• Research and evaluate laboratory equipment, supplies, and vendors to improve operational efficiency and optimize costs.
• Coordinate purchasing activities with internal stakeholders and external vendors.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance, and support to Laboratory Management personnel
• Coordinate laboratory training and certification programs for employees that will use the laboratories
• Collaborate with cross-functional departments to support implementation of new laboratory processes, equipment, and operational improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory organization, workflow efficiency, and operational effectiveness.

Principal Decisions:

Related to the principal job duties above

Core Competencies: BioFire Defense has adopted three core competencies that are expected of employees. In this management role, the following are expectations:

Belong

Builds trust-based relationships and fosters an inclusive, collaborative team environment where diverse perspectives are valued and individuals are empowered to contribute. Effectively partners across functions to achieve shared company and team goals and acts with integrity.

Dare

Demonstrates accountability, sound judgment, and a growth mindset when addressing complex technical and operational challenges. Encourages innovation, continuous learning, and thoughtful risk-taking while empowering team members to develop and succeed.

Impact

Drives execution and delivers high-quality results aligned with organizational priorities. Effectively balances scientific rigor, operational efficiency, and business objectives to achieve measurable outcomes and to support the company's success.

Supplemental Data: (Information that will enhance the understanding of the nature of the job; e.g., number of people directly supervised; total staff supervised; sales volume impacted; operating budget, extent of travel required, etc.)

• Interacts with multiple company departments to coordinate implementation of new projects, processes, and procedures impacting the R&D labs
• Support laboratory expansion, equipment installations, and facility improvement initiatives as assigned.
• May include travel to conferences, training, or vendor meetings as required.

Qualifications

Training and Education: (Minimum education and/or training requirements for this position; i.e., high school diploma, college degree, certification.)

Bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience: (Minimum time and type experience required for this position.)

• 3-5 years of laboratory experience in a related life-sciences environment
• Preferred to have 1-3 years of supervisory, team lead, or people leadership
• Prefer previous experience coordinating laboratory operations and/or laboratory resources. Experience working within a regulated laboratory or Quality System environment.

Skills: (Special skills required; e.g., negotiation, technical writing; statistical evaluation.)

Leadership and Organization

• Demonstrated organizational, planning, and leadership skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple priorities in a dynamic laboratory environment.
• Ability to provide guidance, coaching, and support to laboratory personnel.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities

Technical

• Experience with PCR-based techniques and general molecular biology laboratory practices.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety, contamination prevention, and biosafety practices.
• Experience coordinating laboratory equipment maintenance, calibration, and inventory management
• Understanding of Quality Systems and controlled documentation practices.

Communication

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard laboratory software applications.

Physical Requirements: (List any special physical requirements needed to perform the job, such as ability to lift specific weight. List "None" if there are no special requirements.)

• Ability to safely lift and maneuver ~50 lbs.
• Must have sufficient manual and visual dexterity for standard laboratory practices (e.g., pipetting, micro centrifuge tube capping/uncapping, syringe manipulation, etc.).
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and work in a Biosafety Level 2/2+ laboratory environment.
• If unable to meet these requirements, reasonable accommodation will be made if supervisor is notified.

Benefits:

Medical

Dental

Vision

Bonus eligible

9/8/80 work schedule (every other Friday off)

401k - company match of 5% regardless of participation and up to a total of 9.5% company match if contributing

160 Hours of PTO (prorated from date of hire)

9 Paid Holidays

Paid Winter Break from the work week between December 24 thru December 31

Participation in Companys Wellness Program (discounted medical premiums)

Multiple Company Sponsored Events Each Year (catered breakfast/lunch, holiday parties, snacks)

Convenient location near I-15 and Trax Station

Free Parking

Our EEO Policy

BioFire Defense is an equal opportunity employer (M/F/D/V). We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law. BioFire Defense complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.