Laboratory Operations Manager Jobs in California

Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) Local is a hard services-led, tailored facility management solution. We self-perform hard services while partnering with best-in-class soft service providers to offer custom facility and project management solutions to our clients. We focus on empowering our team with a high-level of downstream accountability, resulting in an agile and efficient service delivery.
In addition to our core facility and project management capabilities, our platform offers direct access to our Best-in-Class services, including ESG, Security Consulting, Workplace Strategy, and Workplace Experience.
About the Role
The Laboratory Operations Manager is the operational backbone of day-to-day laboratory facility services at a cutting-edge life sciences client site. This is a hands-on, client-embedded role that sits at the intersection of facilities management, vendor coordination, lab support, and regulatory compliance.
This role goes well beyond traditional facilities management. You will be responsible for everything from procuring dry ice and lab coats to managing calibration schedules for 100+ freezers, escorting vendors on and off site, ensuring EH&S compliance, and managing critical lab infrastructure. You are the person clients and vendors alike depend on to keep the lab running safely, compliantly, and efficiently - every single day.
A Day in the Life
You might start your morning reviewing the week's PM and calibration schedule across 100 freezers, then head to the lobby to badge in a vendor for a scheduled service visit. By afternoon, you're reviewing bids from suppliers, updating the chemical inventory log, and following up on a corrective action from a recent inspection. No two days are the same - and that's exactly what makes this role rewarding.
Key Traits for Success

• Detail-oriented and organized - you track everything from PPE stock levels to calibration due dates
• Proactive and process-driven - you don't wait for problems; you build systems to prevent them
• Comfortable on the floor - equally at ease in a loading dock, a lab environment, and a vendor negotiation
• Safety-first mindset - you understand what's at stake in a regulated life sciences environment
• Collaborative and client-focused - you're a trusted partner to stakeholders, not just a behind-the-scenes operator

What You'll Do
Lab Supplies & Daily Operations

• Manage procurement and inventory of all lab consumables and support supplies, including dry ice, lab coats, PPE, AEDs, and first aid kits
• Coordinate with client and CBRE to determine vendor selection, then own the ordering and fulfillment process end-to-end
• Serve as the on-site point of contact for vendor arrivals - meeting vendors in the lobby, badging them in, and escorting them during business and after-hours visits
• Monitor and respond to alarms during business hours and after hours as required

Preventative Maintenance & Calibration

• Develop and manage annual PM and calibration schedules for lab equipment (e.g., 100+ freezers), distributing workload evenly across weeks and quarters
• Ensure calibration and certification of all lab equipment is performed on schedule and fully documented
• Perform gap assessments on all facility-related equipment; create and execute action plans to resolve gaps
• Evaluate and approve improvements and upgrades to plant and equipment based on PM findings
• Ensure all out-of-line situations are documented with incident reports and resolved promptly

Vendor Management & Procurement

• Own all aspects of vendor management: sourcing, RFP leadership, contract negotiation, compliance monitoring, and ongoing performance reviews
• Drive cost savings through competitive bidding and proactive supplier management
• Review supplier work procedures prior to project start, ensuring all comments and requirements are incorporated
• Ensure all vendors fulfill COI (Certificate of Insurance) requirements prior to accessing the premises
• Provide accurate and timely fiscal accounting for all expenditures related to subcontractor scope of services

EH&S, Regulatory & Compliance

• Serve as the primary EH&S resource on site, collaborating with stakeholders to ensure lab environments meet all facility operating requirements
• Follow and enforce all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including OSHA, CAL OSHA, and CLIA requirements
• Maintain the site's chemical inventory and manage hazardous and biowaste programs in full compliance with regulatory standards
• Conduct and coordinate inspections; ensure all corrective actions are followed up on immediately
• Prepare for and support audits and regulatory inspections
• Ensure suppliers actively participate in EH&S safety committees and are informed of all hazards and required safe work practices
• Collaborate with Quality to ensure Facility Validations are accurate and maintained post-commissioning

Lab Infrastructure & Critical Systems

• Oversee maintenance of high-purity water systems and perform lab water testing (eyewash stations, safety showers, etc.)
• Receive project handoffs and activate new or renovated lab spaces
• Create and develop work standards for client's Facilities Department to ensure equipment and task work are performed consistently
• Manage process documentation and ensure job plans are followed as described

Stakeholder & Team Management

• Serve as the primary day-to-day operational contact for stakeholders across all facilities-related needs
• Provide formal supervision to on-site staff: coordinate daily activities, assign tasks, conduct performance evaluations, and coach as needed
• Lead by example and model behaviors consistent with CBRE RISE values
• Meet regularly with senior management and key stakeholders to provide status updates and operational reports

What You'll Need
Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent combination of experience and education will be considered
• 3-5+ years of relevant experience in laboratory operations, facilities management, or a related field within life sciences or healthcare
• Direct experience in a life sciences, biotech, pharmaceutical, or clinical lab environment strongly preferred
• Familiarity with CMMS or work order management systems

Technical Knowledge

• Working knowledge of lab equipment (freezers, centrifuges, incubators, etc.) and associated PM/calibration requirements
• Understanding of CLIA requirements, chemical inventory management, and biohazardous/hazardous waste handling
• Familiarity with EH&S standards, including OSHA and CAL OSHA regulations
• Experience with high-purity water systems and lab safety infrastructure (eyewash, safety showers, AEDs) preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Strong vendor management skills: RFP development, contract negotiation, performance tracking, and cost management
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail - able to manage multiple schedules, inventories, and compliance requirements simultaneously
• Effective written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey complex information clearly to stakeholders at all levels
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Ability to lift/carry loads up to 50 lbs.; comfortable with physical requirements including standing, walking, climbing, and stooping

Work Style

• Process-driven and proactive - you build systems, not workarounds
• Comfortable in ambiguity and fast-changing lab environments
• Strong ownership mindset - you see problems through to resolution
• Collaborative and approachable - a trusted partner to scientists, vendors, and leadership alike

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future
Why CBRE:
We lead by example, guided by the needs of the cities we inhabit, the communities we build, and the world we live in. The more perspectives we have, the more dimensions we're able to see. A culture of respect, integrity, service, and excellence shapes our approach to every opportunity.
Our competitive and comprehensive benefits program was designed to make sure you feel valued with benefits that support the mental, physical, emotional, and financial health of you and your family.
Maintain your career momentum with the best tools and training in the industry. You'll have everything you need to thrive in your role: challenging work, dedication to results, fast-paced assignments, and a culture of constant learning.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) are more than just values- they're a competitive advantage. By crafting a place where our employees are recognized for their contribution and given a chance to grow, we regularly open ourselves and our business opportunities.
Applicant AI Use Disclosure
We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI in the application and interview process.

• CBRE carefully considers multiple factors to determine compensation, including a candidate's education, training, and experience. The minimum salary for the Laboratory Operations Manager position is $110,500 annually and the maximum salary for the Laboratory Operations Manager position is $145,000 annually. The compensation that is offered to a successful candidate will depend on the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity: CBRE has a long-standing commitment to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, veteran status, political belief, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
Candidate Accommodations: CBRE values the differences of all current and prospective employees and recognizes how every employee contributes to our company's success. CBRE provides reasonable accommodations in job application procedures for individuals with disabilities. If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request via email at recruitingaccommodations@cbre.com or via telephone at +1 866 225 3099 (U.S.) and +1 866 388 4346 (Canada).
CBRE GWS
CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) works with clients to make real estate a meaningful contributor to organizational productivity and performance. Our account management model is at the heart of our client-centric approach to delivering integrated real estate solutions. Each client is entrusted with a dedicated leader and is supported by regional and global resources, leveraging the industry's most robust platform. CBRE GWS delivers consistent, measurably superior outcomes for our clients at every stage of the lifecycle, and across industries and geographies.
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