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Laboratory Operations Associate Jobs in Columbia, SC

State of South Carolina

Research Scientist

Columbia, SC · On-site

$76K - $96K/yr

... to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended ... The Research Scientist will oversee daily laboratory operations, maintain specialized research ...

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Laboratory Operations Associate information

See Columbia, SC salary details

$10

$24

$49

How much do laboratory operations associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for laboratory operations associate in Columbia, SC is $24.28, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.44 and $28.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a laboratory operations associate?

Laboratory Operations Associates are professionals who support the daily functioning of laboratories by managing supplies, maintaining equipment, overseeing safety protocols, and assisting with administrative tasks. They play a crucial role in ensuring that lab environments run efficiently and comply with all regulatory standards. Their responsibilities often include inventory management, equipment calibration, and coordinating with scientists and technicians. This position is essential for smooth laboratory workflow and helps enable scientific research and testing.

What does a laboratory operations associate do?

A typical day for a Laboratory Operations Associate involves preparing and maintaining laboratory equipment, managing inventory of supplies, and ensuring that safety protocols are followed. They often coordinate with scientists, lab technicians, and quality assurance teams to support ongoing experiments or production processes. Their role requires strong organizational skills and attention to detail, as well as the ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment. Collaboration and clear communication are key, as they help facilitate smooth lab operations and minimize downtime.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a laboratory operations associate?

To thrive as a Laboratory Operations Associate, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a background in laboratory sciences or related fields, often supported by a bachelor's degree. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), inventory tracking software, and safety protocols is typically required. Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help you efficiently support lab workflows and collaborate with scientists and technicians. These skills are critical to maintaining laboratory efficiency, ensuring compliance, and supporting high-quality research outcomes.

What is the difference between Laboratory Operations Associate vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectLaboratory Operations AssociateLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsAssociate degree or relevant certificationAssociate degree or technical certification
Work EnvironmentLab support, logistics, equipment managementPerforming tests, analyzing samples
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in biotech, pharma, research labsCommon in clinical, research, manufacturing labs
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for entry-level roles in lab supportCompared for technical testing roles

Laboratory Operations Associates focus on supporting lab functions, logistics, and equipment management, while Laboratory Technicians primarily perform testing and sample analysis. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and are essential in lab environments, but they differ in daily responsibilities and focus areas.

What cities near Columbia, SC are hiring for Laboratory Operations Associate jobs?

Cities near Columbia, SC with the most Laboratory Operations Associate job openings:

Laboratory Operations Associate jobs near you

Associate Quality Director

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Sumter, SC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

BD rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 142 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

324th of 494 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

We are the people who give possibilities purpose
BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world. Advancing the world of health™ is our Purpose, and it's no small feat. It takes the imagination and passion of all of us-from design and engineering to the manufacturing and marketing of our billions of MedTech products per year-to look at the impossible and find transformative solutions that turn dreams into possibilities.
Job Description
Reporting to the VP of Quality Management, the Associate Director, Plant QA leads and directly manages technical and managerial staff at the Sumter facility. This role plays a pivotal part in shaping global quality strategy and driving the tactical execution needed to achieve organizational objectives.
Through exceptional communication, proactive problem-solving, and confident navigation of ambiguity, the Associate Director ensures product safety, quality, and full compliance with global regulations and customer expectations.
Success in this role is measured by the minimization of product quality and organizational issues, as well as the continuous improvement of business process effectiveness. By fostering strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders - and investing in the growth and development of people - the Associate Director, Plant QA delivers sustainable, industry-leading results that support key business drivers.
Responsibilities:
As the Management Representative for the Sumter Plant, (as defined per ISO 13485:2003 and 21 CFR 820). you'll serve as the cornerstone of our quality management system, bringing quality standards to life through:
  • Quality System Champion - Establishing, implementing, and maintaining vital quality management processes
  • Executive Quality Liaison - Delivering insightful performance reports to top management through Management Review meetings, highlighting improvement opportunities
  • Regulatory Awareness Ambassador - Fostering a culture where every team member understands and embraces regulatory and customer requirements
  • Inspection Point Person - Serving as the primary contact for FDA, ISO, and third-party audits, representing the Sumter site
  • Compliance Program Overseer - Managing comprehensive quality activities including CAPA, Quality Notifications, Temporary Deviations, Internal and Supplier Audits, Change Control, Calibration, and Complaint Investigations.
    • This includes compliance to applicable regulations and standards for medical devices and pharmaceutical products.
  • Product Release Guardian - Supervising laboratory operations and release personnel to ensure only safe, effective products reach customers, including on-site sterilization quality oversight
    • Responsible for approval or rejection of components, finished products, and documents to achieve this purpose.
  • Strategic Leadership Team Member - Contributing to the Plant Leadership Team and Executive Steering Committee to drive plant initiatives and achieve organizational goals
  • Quality Strategy Architect - Developing and maintaining forward-thinking quality plans and policies that align business objectives with regulatory requirements
  • Continuous Improvement Driver - Directing Quality Assurance projects through leadership teams to maintain regulatory compliance and support plant continuous improvement efforts
  • Talent Developer - Building a high-performing quality team through targeted training and professional development opportunities
  • Financial Steward - Managing the Quality department and laboratory budget with efficiency and foresight
  • Problem-Solving Partner - Collaborating with multi-functional teams to identify root causes of quality issues and customer complaints. Works with the Design Center Quality Management to drive investigations for product issues in the field and assists with the preparation of Situation Analyses.
  • Product Development Collaborator - Supporting new product initiatives and facilitating smooth Design Transfer from development to manufacturing
  • Safety Compliance Advocate - Adhering to all local, state, federal, and BD safety regulations, including RCRA Hazardous waste protocols

Required Qualifications:
  • BS degree in Engineering or Life Sciences
  • 5 years Managerial experience in highly regulated Medical Device Plant

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master Degree in Business or Engineering
  • ASQ Certification
  • Six Sigma Certification

Knowledge and Skills:
  • Exhibits an exceptional degree of ingenuity, creativity, and resourcefulness
  • Applies and / or develops highly advanced technologies, scientific principles, theories and concepts.(Viewed as expert within the field)
  • Provides technical knowledge and expertise related to competitive products as well as process technologies not currently employed at BD
  • Acquires and adapts new techniques and technologies
  • ISO 13485, 21 CFR 820, and MDSAP regulatory and quality system knowledge

Why Join Us?
To find purpose in the possibilities, we need people who can see the bigger picture, who understand the human story that underpins everything we do. We welcome people with the imagination and drive to help us reinvent the future of healthcare. At BD, you'll discover a culture in which you can learn, grow and thrive.
We believe that when people connect in person, we learn faster, collaborate more deeply, and build a stronger culture. Join us and enjoy a culture where face-to-face collaboration supports your learning, your progress, and your success.
To learn more about BD visit https://bd.com/careers.
Becton, Dickinson, and Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Required Skills
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Primary Work Location
USA SC - Sumter
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About BD

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BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. We have over 65,000 employees and a presence in virtually every country around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues.

Industry

Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing and manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Franklin Lakes, NJ, US

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