Lab Operations Manager

Precision for Medicine is seeking to hire a Laboratory Operations Manager for our fantastic Berlin location.

The Laboratory Operations Manager provides strategic partnership to laboratory functions, supporting scheduling and overall operational coordination. This role collaborates closely with analytical operations—including fresh processing and analytical assays—and liaises with internal stakeholders to ensure projects are executed within scope and meet agreed delivery timelines.

The role is responsible for overseeing laboratory scheduling, escalating resource conflicts, and coordinating with Project Management to maintain a long-term laboratory forecast and schedule of active and awarded projects. In addition, the individual partners with scientific teams to escalate assay or technology-related issues to appropriate stakeholders.

Essential functions of the job include but are not limited to:

• Collaborate with Operations Leadership, Scientific Teams, Quality, and Biorepository teams to support sample analysis and processing through planning, coordination, and execution of operational activities
• Coordinate laboratory assay scheduling and partner with Project Management to support long-term forecasting, revenue planning, and resource allocation
• Monitor capacity and utilization, identifying and escalating constraints or conflicts as appropriate
• Communicate operational issues, risks, or incidents to laboratory leadership and escalate to senior management when needed
• Partner with laboratory leads to ensure accurate scheduling and visibility within planning tools (e.g., SmartSheet)
• Drive improvements in laboratory efficiency and recommend cost optimization opportunities, including supply usage
• Support QC-related activities, including reagent release, as applicable
• Identify and recommend process improvements related to workflows, systems, and equipment
• Support SmartSheet integration, including implementation, training coordination, and ongoing optimization
• Partner with harmonization teams and laboratory stakeholders to support development and adherence to standardized SOPs across Precision laboratories (including sample processing, inventory systems, equipment maintenance tracking, and LIMS usage)
• Serve as a BMRAM facility user with responsibility for maintaining system data, including equipment records, maintenance activities, and quality events
• Act as an operational SME for LIMS, supporting user acceptance testing (UAT) coordination and ensuring testing activities are completed prior to system releases
• Contribute to the development, modification, and verification of LIMS protocols and data transfer tools
• Support additional local or global operational projects as needed

Qualifications:

Minimum Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of relevant lab experience

Other Required:

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Demonstrated expertise in a relevant scientific discipline, with a solid understanding of GMP and GLP standards
• Experience with ligand binding assays, cell-based assays, and sample processing techniques
• Strong knowledge of specimen collection, processing, and handling considerations that impact sample integrity
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and make decisions with minimal supervision
• Experience supporting clinical studies under appropriate regulatory guidance
• Knowledge of aseptic technique and basic cell culture methods
• Strong attention to detail and documentation skills; ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Experience coordinating multiple projects or operational workflows simultaneously
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and business needs
• Willingness to work extended hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays, and occasional travel as needed
• Ability to meet physical requirements (e.g., lifting up to 15 lbs. independently and up to 50 lbs. with assistance; exposure to freezer environments ranging from -20°C to -196°C)
• Proficiency in English (reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension)

Preferred:

• Master’s degree with 4+ years of relevant laboratory experience
• Experience supporting SOP implementation, process standardization, and system adoption
• Specialized knowledge in biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, or cell biology