Lab Operations Associate Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

About the role

The Lab Operations & Supply Chain Associate is a versatile, hands-on lab operations role reporting to the Lab Manager and supporting the Quality, Manufacturing, Fermentation and R&D teams. This is a blended role in a fast-paced startup environment where the focus is managing vendors, shipping, receiving, and ordering while supporting laboratory functions and operations. The workday will be a mix of day-to-day tasks, short-term & longer-term projects, and helping in a department on short notice.

This is a full-time onsite role. We're located in Berkeley, CA. We are only able to consider applicants local to the area.

What You'll Do

Shipping, Receiving, & Procurement (50%)

• Package and ship small production lot orders ensuring proper labeling, CoAs, specifications, and traceability are in place under our ISO 9001 system.
• Responsible for shipping and receiving materials between Aralez Bio and CMOs.
• Maintain inventory of final products, raw materials, and consumables, by performing inventory checks, ordering, and updating the Inventory and Order Request systems.
• Assist with sourcing materials, qualifying primary and secondary suppliers and maintaining approved supplier lists aligned with Quality.
• Proactively resolve delays and logistical issues with vendors to ensure materials arrive on time.
• Receive incoming deliveries throughout the day, distribute materials to the appropriate teams, coordinate returns in a timely manner, and keep the Production Procurement Log updated.
• Be the contact for onsite vendors and receiving shipments.
• Organize and maintain the shared consumable and raw material storage areas.
• Pick up and drop off supplies and materials at offsite locations.

Operations, EHS, and Project Support (30%)

• Support the lab manager with coordination and execution of operational and facility-related projects.
• Maintain the equipment log, receiving new equipment, and disposition of out-of-service items.
• Perform weekly inspections of hazardous waste and report nonconformances.
• Be responsible for the control and organization of documents such as equipment maintenance and calibration reports, hazardous waste manifests, and SDSs.
• Provide operational support to the manufacturing team during critical periods.

Laboratory Functional Support (20%)

• Support laboratory teams with routine tasks such as media preparation, material aliquoting, and regular glassware cleaning.
• Assist with routine in-house preventative maintenance and calibration of equipment, such as thermocouples and cold storage units.
• Coordinate with service vendors to schedule equipment preventative maintenance and calibrations.

Physical requirements: This is a role where you may likely be on your feet for long periods of time during the workday. There will be times when equipment and materials need to be moved, so you must be able to exert up to 40 lbs of force. There will be times when you will need to kneel, stoop, squat, reach upwards, and climb ladders.

Safety requirements: This role requires an understanding of and adherence to protocols and best practices for safety in production and manufacturing environments. Some areas you will be handling toxic chemicals, required to wear steel toed shoes and at times a face shield or respirator. You will receive appropriate training and PPE.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or a related field is preferred. 
• At least two years working in a production laboratory or manufacturing environment, ideally operating under a quality system such as ISO 9001 or cGMP.
• Direct experience handling shipping, receiving, and procurement, managing inventory and ordering consumables.
• Experience coordinating with vendors and suppliers, including following up persistently to resolve delays, obtain quotes, and ensure on-time delivery of materials or services.
• Organization of shared areas such as consumable and raw material storage areas.
• Preparing lab materials such as media, buffers, and reagents.
• Document control and document audits for regulatory compliance, such as hazardous waste manifests, PM and calibration reports, and SDS.
• Handling and dealing with hazardous materials and waste.
• Using a project management system such as ClickUp or Asana.
• Strong knowledge of using Google Suite and Microsoft Suite.

Nice to have:

• Hands-on experience with minor utilities issues (e.g. plumbing, electrical) within safe practices.
• Working knowledge of EHS and OSHA requirements.
• Logistical and international shipping experience.
• Project management or similar experience.

Essential traits:

• Excellent organizational skills: Enjoys setting up an organizational system and maintaining or improving the current system for materials and documentation.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and curious problem-solver: Ideally, you'll seek out more ownership in your workdays, expand your responsibilities, and provide helpful input as issues arise.
• Clear, open, and proactive communicator: It's essential for team interactions (in meetings, during day-to-day work, and written comms and documentation) to be top-notch. You know when to reach out for guidance, and you speak up when there are issues the team needs to know about.
• Agile: You are comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment and shifting between different functions and flexible when goals pivot, priorities change or something goes awry.

Compensation 

Aralez Bio's compensation range for this position is $28-$32 per hour, based on your performance and experience. In addition, your total rewards package will include equity and benefits.

Benefits at Aralez Bio

• Medical / dental / vision insurance coverage
• 401k
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid time off
• Weekly catered lunch
• Professional Development opportunities
• Annual company retreat