The Role & Your ImpactThis is a highly visible role with a combination of operational, tactical, and continuous improvement responsibilities. The Lab Management Leader is responsible for overseeing laboratory operations, leading environmental health and safety programs, supporting regulatory compliance, and ensuring the overall effectiveness of laboratory support services across the Davis site.
Key responsibilities include:
- 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 to maintain a safe and compliant environment.
- 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.
What We OfferAt Novonesis, you'll have the opportunity to support groundbreaking research and make a meaningful impact on how our scientists work every day. You'll collaborate with a diverse group of professionals, contribute to operational excellence initiatives, and help shape the future of laboratory management and safety at the Davis site.
We offer an environment built on collaboration, trust, and continuous learning, where employees are encouraged to bring ideas forward, develop professionally, and contribute to sustainable innovation. As the laboratory management function evolves, this role also offers the opportunity to help shape future processes and potentially lead a small Lab Services team.
Ways of Working / Working Conditions- This is primarily an on-site position based in Davis, California. Regular on-site presence is essential to support laboratory operations, employees, equipment, and facilities.
- The team works a full-time Monday through Friday schedule. Some flexibility may be required to respond to urgent laboratory, safety, equipment, or site operational needs.
- The role may occasionally involve handling or moving laboratory supplies, equipment, or materials, using appropriate assistance or material-handling equipment when needed.
- Travel requirements are limited and generally include occasional training events, conferences, vendor meetings, regional meetings, or visits to other Novonesis locations. Expected travel is typically less than 10% of working time.
Compensation & Benefits- Starting pay: $100,000-$120,000 based on experience
- 401(k) with up to a 9% company contribution
- Minimum of 3 weeks of vacation plus 12 holidays and 2 weeks of Wellness Time
- Health, Dental, Vision & Life insurance
- Healthcare savings account option
- Employee assistance program
- Parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
- All benefits begin on your first day
Relevant InformationApplication deadline: 11/6/26
