About the Role The Laboratory Operations Manager is the operational backbone of day-to-day laboratory facility services at a cutting-edge life sciences client site. This is a hands-on, client-embedded role that sits at the intersection of facilities management, vendor coordination, lab support, and regulatory compliance.
This role goes well beyond traditional facilities management. You will be responsible for everything from procuring dry ice and lab coats to managing calibration schedules for 100+ freezers, escorting vendors on and off site, ensuring EH&S compliance, and managing critical lab infrastructure. You are the person clients and vendors alike depend on to keep the lab running safely, compliantly, and efficiently - every single day.
A Day in the Life You might start your morning reviewing the week's PM and calibration schedule across 100 freezers, then head to the lobby to badge in a vendor for a scheduled service visit. By afternoon, you're reviewing bids from suppliers, updating the chemical inventory log, and following up on a corrective action from a recent inspection. No two days are the same - and that's exactly what makes this role rewarding.
Key Traits for Success- Detail-oriented and organized - you track everything from PPE stock levels to calibration due dates
- Proactive and process-driven - you don't wait for problems; you build systems to prevent them
- Comfortable on the floor - equally at ease in a loading dock, a lab environment, and a vendor negotiation
- Safety-first mindset - you understand what's at stake in a regulated life sciences environment
- Collaborative and client-focused - you're a trusted partner to stakeholders, not just a behind-the-scenes operator
What You'll Do Lab Supplies & Daily Operations
- Manage procurement and inventory of all lab consumables and support supplies, including dry ice, lab coats, PPE, AEDs, and first aid kits
- Coordinate with client and CBRE to determine vendor selection, then own the ordering and fulfillment process end-to-end
- Serve as the on-site point of contact for vendor arrivals - meeting vendors in the lobby, badging them in, and escorting them during business and after-hours visits
- Monitor and respond to alarms during business hours and after hours as required
Preventative Maintenance & Calibration
- Develop and manage annual PM and calibration schedules for lab equipment (e.g., 100+ freezers), distributing workload evenly across weeks and quarters
- Ensure calibration and certification of all lab equipment is performed on schedule and fully documented
- Perform gap assessments on all facility-related equipment; create and execute action plans to resolve gaps
- Evaluate and approve improvements and upgrades to plant and equipment based on PM findings
- Ensure all out-of-line situations are documented with incident reports and resolved promptly
Vendor Management & Procurement
- Own all aspects of vendor management: sourcing, RFP leadership, contract negotiation, compliance monitoring, and ongoing performance reviews
- Drive cost savings through competitive bidding and proactive supplier management
- Review supplier work procedures prior to project start, ensuring all comments and requirements are incorporated
- Ensure all vendors fulfill COI (Certificate of Insurance) requirements prior to accessing the premises
- Provide accurate and timely fiscal accounting for all expenditures related to subcontractor scope of services
EH&S, Regulatory & Compliance
- Serve as the primary EH&S resource on site, collaborating with stakeholders to ensure lab environments meet all facility operating requirements
- Follow and enforce all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including OSHA, CAL OSHA, and CLIA requirements
- Maintain the site's chemical inventory and manage hazardous and biowaste programs in full compliance with regulatory standards
- Conduct and coordinate inspections; ensure all corrective actions are followed up on immediately
- Prepare for and support audits and regulatory inspections
- Ensure suppliers actively participate in EH&S safety committees and are informed of all hazards and required safe work practices
- Collaborate with Quality to ensure Facility Validations are accurate and maintained post-commissioning
Lab Infrastructure & Critical Systems
- Oversee maintenance of high-purity water systems and perform lab water testing (eyewash stations, safety showers, etc.)
- Receive project handoffs and activate new or renovated lab spaces
- Create and develop work standards for client's Facilities Department to ensure equipment and task work are performed consistently
- Manage process documentation and ensure job plans are followed as described
Stakeholder & Team Management
- Serve as the primary day-to-day operational contact for stakeholders across all facilities-related needs
- Provide formal supervision to on-site staff: coordinate daily activities, assign tasks, conduct performance evaluations, and coach as needed
- Lead by example and model behaviors consistent with CBRE RISE values
- Meet regularly with senior management and key stakeholders to provide status updates and operational reports
What You'll Need Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent combination of experience and education will be considered
- 3-5+ years of relevant experience in laboratory operations, facilities management, or a related field within life sciences or healthcare
- Direct experience in a life sciences, biotech, pharmaceutical, or clinical lab environment strongly preferred
- Familiarity with CMMS or work order management systems
Technical Knowledge
- Working knowledge of lab equipment (freezers, centrifuges, incubators, etc.) and associated PM/calibration requirements
- Understanding of CLIA requirements, chemical inventory management, and biohazardous/hazardous waste handling
- Familiarity with EH&S standards, including OSHA and CAL OSHA regulations
- Experience with high-purity water systems and lab safety infrastructure (eyewash, safety showers, AEDs) preferred
Skills & Competencies
- Strong vendor management skills: RFP development, contract negotiation, performance tracking, and cost management
- Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail - able to manage multiple schedules, inventories, and compliance requirements simultaneously
- Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey complex information clearly to stakeholders at all levels
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
- Ability to lift/carry loads up to 50 lbs.; comfortable with physical requirements including standing, walking, climbing, and stooping
Work Style
- Process-driven and proactive - you build systems, not workarounds
- Comfortable in ambiguity and fast-changing lab environments
- Strong ownership mindset - you see problems through to resolution
- Collaborative and approachable - a trusted partner to scientists, vendors, and leadership alike
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future
- CBRE carefully considers multiple factors to determine compensation, including a candidate's education, training, and experience. The minimum salary for the Laboratory Operations Manager position is $110,500 annually and the maximum salary for the Laboratory Operations Manager position is $145,000 annually. The compensation that is offered to a successful candidate will depend on the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience.
