Manager Lab Operations Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Solugen

Houston, TX 77035

Position

Lab Operations Coordinator

About Solugen:

Solugen is a groundbreaking technology company on a bold mission to decarbonize the physical world. At the heart of our innovation is the world's first sustainable molecule factory-the Bioforge. This unique manufacturing platform uses a chemienzymatic process to convert plant-derived substances into essential materials that have historically been made from fossil fuels-all with minimal emissions and no hazardous waste. A highly scalable and localized alternative to conventional approaches, the Bioforge enables us to produce a range of high-performance, cost-competitive, and sustainable solutions to meet the diverse needs of our customers.

Mission

Solugen's mission is to decarbonize chemicals manufacturing. As a first step, Solugen has built a 10,000 tpy first commercial plant with the potential to offset up to 37,000 tpy of carbon dioxide equivalents.
This role directly supports Solugen's mission by ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient laboratory operations that enable the R&D team to execute at scale.

Responsibilities

Key Outcomes

• Establish and maintain full ownership of laboratory chemical inventory, ensuring accurate tracking, labeling, storage, and compliance.
• Own chemical and consumables ordering and vendor coordination to ensure uninterrupted lab operations while managing cost, lead times, and approvals.
• Manage chemical waste handling, storage, documentation, and disposal in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Manage R&M contracts and vendor relationships for critical instruments.
• Function as the interface between the laboratory and facilities to coordinate repairs and upgrades, ensuring communication for lab downtime with scientific managers and staff.
• Lead routine laboratory inspections (internal and external), ensuring readiness for audits and corrective action closure.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for lab safety, compliance, and operational readiness.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inspection-ready laboratory environment at all times.
• Partner with EHS to continuously improve lab safety practices and operational efficiency.
• Develop, maintain, and improve SOPs related to chemical handling, storage, waste management, and lab operations.
• Support onboarding and training of new lab personnel on chemical safety, waste procedures, and lab best practices.

Key Competencies

Job Specific

• Strong working knowledge of chemical inventory systems, chemical compatibility, and storage requirements.
• Strong communication skills to be able to coordinate between vendors, scientific staff, EHS, and facilities management.
• Experience managing chemical waste streams, including hazardous, non-hazardous, biological, and specialty waste.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements (EPA, OSHA, TCEQ, RCRA, DOT, USDA) related to laboratory operations.
• Ability to prepare for and lead laboratory inspections and audits.
• Experience with chemical procurement, vendor management, and supply chain coordination.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and documentation accuracy.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe workplace and enforcing safety policies consistently.
• Proficiency with Office products and comfortable using digital tools such as Google Docs, Dropbox, Slack, and inventory management systems.

Company Specific

• Ask questions, be curious, and proactively identify opportunities to improve lab operations.
• Ability to self-manage and prioritize work in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Comfortable operating with ambiguity while maintaining compliance and safety rigor.
• Strong ownership mindset with accountability for lab readiness and compliance.
• Emphasize safety above all else.
• Respect for others and ability to collaborate across disciplines.
• Willingness to learn and adapt as the company and lab infrastructure scale.

Qualifications

• BS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related scientific field.
• 3+ years of experience in a laboratory operations, lab management, or EHS-adjacent role.
• Hands-on experience managing chemical inventory and waste in an R&D or pilot-scale lab.
• Experience supporting or leading laboratory inspections and audits preferred.

Solugen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.