Client Operations Manager Jobs in Orange, CA (NOW HIRING)

JOB SUMMARY

Microbac is seeking a strong, experience leader to stabilize and drive performance across laboratory operations. This role is ideal for a confident people manager who can lead through change, build accountability, and develop high-performing teams in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.

The Operations Manager will be responsible for leading department managers and supervisors, ensuring clear expectations, consistent execution, and a culture of ownership across the site. This individual will partner closely with leadership to prioritize work, remove obstacles, and ensure critical operations continue to run smoothly. While laboratory experience is valuable, success in this role will be driven by leadership capability, sound decision-making, and the ability to manage and develop teams effectively.

Essential Functions:

• Oversee and coordinate daily laboratory operations to ensure efficiency, consistency, and adherence to established procedures.
• Lead, develop, and manage Department Leads (Client Services, Food Department Managers, Environmental Department Managers), promoting high accountability and high performance.
• Plan and allocate resources, including personnel, scheduling, and workflow management.
• Monitor workflow capacity and adjust staffing or priorities to meet demand.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance team collaboration and operational effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) in alignment with organizational goals.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor performance metrics, analyze trends, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients regarding operational matters, ensuring clear communication, timely updates, and a high level of service.
• Oversee inventory, equipment utilization, and supply chain coordination to prevent disruptions.
• Oversee facility maintenance: schedule repairs and preventative maintenance appointments from the facility and various lab equipment.
• Assist all departments as needed, include Client Services, Field Services, and Testing Departments.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence.
• Address and resolve operational issues promptly, minimizing impact to productivity and timelines.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in operations management, team leadership, or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree in the chemical, environmental, biological, or related field.
• Previous experience in a laboratory setting required.
• Basic knowledge of principles, terminology, practices, techniques and instrumentation commonly used in a laboratory setting.
• Strong problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a structured, deadline-driven environment.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools; talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision and depth perception.

Working Conditions:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be in a general office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

As a privately held third-party testing company, Microbac operates with a commitment to safety, quality, and compliance. Our diverse work portfolio includes broad accreditation offerings and tested insights across the environmental, food and life science markets.

OTHER:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of all duties an employee may be required to perform. Microbac reserves the right to revise the job description at any time.

Employment is at-will. Microbac, promotes a drug-free, alcohol-free workplace. Applicants considered for hire must pass a drug test before beginning work. Refusal to submit to testing will result in disqualification of further employment consideration.

Microbac is an Equal Opportunity Employer – We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.