Research Lab Manager Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

Lead the Lab That Powers Our Products and Our Future

Why This Role Matters
A great lab doesn't run on autopilotit runs on great management. At Filtrous, our laboratory is where quality is built, products are validated, and innovation begins. As our Lab Manager, you'll lead the daily operations of our laboratory and production teams, ensuring quality control, inventory, and compliance standards are consistently met or exceeded. You'll also have the unique opportunity to build out our St. Petersburg lab from the ground up: selecting equipment, designing workflows, and hiring the team that brings it all to life.

What You'll Do
Run Day-to-Day Lab Operations: Manage daily lab workflows and scheduling. Ensure instruments, equipment, and software are properly maintained and calibrated. Oversee sample tracking, reagent preparation, and data documentation.
Own Inventory and Procurement: Monitor inventory levels for reagents, consumables, and equipment. Order supplies, manage vendor relationships, and track usage trends to forecast purchasing needs.
Lead and Develop Your Team: Supervise lab technicians, researchers, and interns. Coordinate training on lab protocols, safety procedures, and equipment use. Set work schedules and evaluate team performance.
Ensure Safety and Compliance: Ensure the lab meets all regulatory and safety standards (e.g., OSHA, CLIA, ISO). Maintain SDS documentation and chemical hygiene plans. Conduct regular safety audits and trainings.
Drive Quality Control: Implement and monitor QC protocols to maintain experimental consistency. Maintain accurate lab records, SOPs, and data logs. Support audits and inspections with up-to-date documentation.
Manage Budget and Resources: Manage the lab's budget and approve purchases. Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
Build the Lab from the Ground Up: Design and build out the new St. Petersburg lab: equipment, utilities, people, and hiring. Create the foundation for a world-class laboratory operation.

Problems You Will Solve
No lab exists here yet: The St. Petersburg site has no working lab at all, so the company cannot run its own equipment, workflows, or testing there until someone designs and builds the whole operation from nothing.
No team in place: There are no technicians, researchers, or interns hired and trained for this site yet, so the lab has no one to staff the bench or carry out daily work until a team is recruited and brought up to speed.
Daily lab work lacks an owner: Routine workflows, instrument upkeep, calibration, and sample tracking have no single person responsible for them, which risks broken equipment, slipped schedules, and unreliable results.
Supplies run out unpredictably: Reagents, consumables, and equipment are not tracked against how fast they get used, so the lab can hit work-stopping shortages and be forced into rushed, overpriced ordering.
Safety and quality gaps invite risk: Safety, regulatory, and quality standards such as OSHA, CLIA, and ISO are not being consistently maintained, leaving the company exposed to failed inspections, fines, unsafe conditions, and inconsistent results.

How Success is Measured
Lab operations running efficiently with properly calibrated instruments and on-time workflows
Inventory levels maintained with zero critical stockouts and optimized purchasing
Team trained, scheduled, and performing at high standards with documented evaluations
Full compliance with OSHA, CLIA, ISO, and internal safety standards
QC protocols implemented and maintained with consistent experimental results
Lab budget managed within targets with cost-saving initiatives identified
New St. Petersburg lab built out and operational on schedule

Why You'll Love It Here
At Filtrous, you won't just manage a labyou'll build one. This is a rare opportunity to design a lab operation from scratch, hire your own team, and set the standards that will define quality at Filtrous for years to come. You'll work closely with R&D, manufacturing, and quality assurance, with direct visibility into how your lab's work impacts customers and products. If you thrive on organization, leadership, and building systems that work, this role is made for you.

Who You Are
Bachelor's degree in a life sciences field or equivalent experience
23+ years of lab management or supervisory experience
Strong understanding of ISO standards and lab safety protocols
Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills
Experience using project and task management tools like Asana
Comfortable managing budgets, vendor relationships, and procurement processes
Bonus points if you have:
Experience building out or setting up a new lab facility
Background in PCR, reagent manufacturing, or quality control testing
Familiarity with OSHA, CLIA, and GMP compliance requirements
Experience in a fast-paced startup or high-growth environment

About Filtrous
Founded in 2017, Filtrous delivers speed, quality, and value to agile labs. We're a lab supplies distributor serving laboratories across a wide range of scientific and industrial sectors. Our secret? We combine uncompromising product quality with customer service that actually picks up the phone.

Position Details
Compensation $50,000 $70,000 annually
Job Type Full-time
Benefits Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, PTO
Location St. Petersburg, FL (in-person)
Schedule Monday to Friday, weekends as needed
Travel Some travel may be required

Ready to Join Us?
If you're passionate about lab operations, love building things from scratch, and want to lead the lab at a fast-growing science company, we'd love to hear from you.

Filtrous is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.