Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Lab Operations Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The Lab Operations Coordinator is a pivotal team member responsible for the day-to-day management and operational efficiency of our state-of-the-art laboratory. You will act as the central point of contact for lab-related needs, from procurement and inventory management to equipment maintenance and safety compliance. This position requires a blend of technical know-how, meticulous organization, and a collaborative spirit to empower our scientists and accelerate our research and development goals. You will be instrumental in creating and maintaining a world-class lab environment where groundbreaking science can thrive.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Lab Technician
Research Assistant
Operations Associate

Advancement To:

Lab Manager
Senior Lab Operations Specialist
Facilities Manager

Lateral Moves:

EHS (Environmental Health & Safety) Specialist
Procurement Specialist
Scientific Project Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Manage and maintain a comprehensive inventory system for all lab consumables, reagents, and chemicals, ensuring stock levels are optimized to prevent workflow disruptions.
Oversee the entire procurement lifecycle, including sourcing new vendors, generating purchase orders, tracking shipments, and receiving and stocking incoming materials.
Serve as the primary point of contact for all laboratory equipment, scheduling preventative maintenance, coordinating repairs with external vendors, and maintaining detailed service records.
Conduct routine lab walkthroughs to ensure operational readiness, identify potential hazards, and maintain a high standard of organization and cleanliness in all common lab areas.
Champion and enforce Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) policies, manage chemical inventories and safety data sheets (SDS), and ensure the lab is always in compliance with local and federal regulations.
Coordinate the proper segregation, storage, and disposal of chemical, biological, and hazardous waste streams in accordance with established safety protocols.
Onboard and train new scientific staff and team members on laboratory-specific procedures, equipment usage, and safety guidelines.
Act as the key liaison between the scientific team and other departments, including Facilities, IT, Finance, and EHS, to resolve operational issues promptly.
Manage service contracts and relationships with key laboratory suppliers and service providers, negotiating pricing and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
Maintain and organize shared laboratory resources, including media, buffers, and stock solutions, to support ongoing research activities.
Oversee the lab's shipping and receiving logistics for sensitive biological samples, research materials, and equipment, ensuring proper documentation and handling.
Troubleshoot minor equipment malfunctions and provide first-line operational support to researchers to minimize downtime.
Develop, update, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for lab equipment and common operational workflows.
Manage the organization and maintenance of shared lab spaces, including tissue culture rooms, cold storage units, and equipment rooms.
Administer and maintain laboratory management software systems for inventory, ordering, and equipment scheduling.
Support lab space planning and coordination for new projects, personnel, and equipment installations.

Secondary Functions

Assist the Lab Manager and Finance department in tracking operational spending, reconciling invoices, and contributing to the annual budget planning process.
Coordinate and lead laboratory safety meetings and training sessions to foster a strong culture of safety and compliance.
Support the organization of lab-wide events, team meetings, and seminars, including scheduling and logistical arrangements.
Evaluate and recommend new technologies, equipment, and process improvements to enhance laboratory efficiency and capabilities.
Maintain a digital and physical archive of critical laboratory documentation, including equipment manuals, warranties, and compliance records.
Collaborate with the research team to forecast future needs for consumables, equipment, and space based on project pipelines.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency with inventory management systems (e.g., Quartzy, Benchling) and procurement platforms (e.g., Coupa, SAP Ariba).
Working knowledge of Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA) and best practices in a laboratory setting.
Hands-on experience with the operation and basic maintenance of common laboratory equipment (e.g., centrifuges, incubators, biosafety cabinets, microscopes).
Strong computer literacy, with advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and/or Google Workspace.
Experience with handling and disposing of chemical and biological materials and waste.
Familiarity with managing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and conducting chemical inventory audits.
Basic understanding of scientific principles in biology or chemistry to effectively support research staff.

Soft Skills

Exceptional organizational skills with a keen attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities effectively.
Proactive problem-solving abilities, capable of identifying potential issues and implementing solutions before they impact lab activities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for coordinating with internal teams, management, and external vendors.
Strong interpersonal skills and a customer service-oriented mindset to effectively support the needs of the scientific team.
Ability to work both independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively as part of a dynamic team.
High degree of adaptability and flexibility to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving research environment.
Meticulous record-keeping and a commitment to maintaining accurate and organized documentation.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a scientific discipline or equivalent practical experience in a laboratory setting.

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in a related scientific or operational field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry
Life Sciences, Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of hands-on experience in a laboratory environment, with at least 1-2 years focused on operations, coordination, or management.

Preferred:

Experience in a fast-paced biotech, pharmaceutical, or research and development (R&D) environment is highly desirable.