Lab Equipment Lead

GSK•Cambridge, MA

8d•$139,425 - $232,375•Onsite

About The Position

The Lab Equipment Lead, within the Lab Operations organization, is co-located with scientists in the Cambridge R&D Labs, working closely on a day-to-day basis to drive operational excellence. The goal is to ensure the smooth running of equipment within the labs to maximize scientific productivity and safety of lab personnel. The Lab Equipment Lead will lead a team of operations professionals through a service partner model to ensure equipment used in the labs is available and functional, and scientists have what they need when they need it to conduct high-quality experiments and deliver the R&D project pipeline. The role involves overseeing equipment commissioning, upgrades, qualification, and decommissioning. The Equipment Lead will work closely with scientific leads and representatives and other stakeholders to drive operational excellence, ensure compliance with quality standards and regulations, and support continuous improvement initiatives. The Lab Equipment Lead will demonstrate strong leadership and influencing skills, effectively communicating with various stakeholders to align goals and drive collaborative efforts. This role requires the ability to navigate and lead within a matrix organization, leveraging cross-functional relationships to successfully implement strategic initiatives. By fostering a culture of development and empowerment, the Lead will ensure that team members are motivated, well-supported, and equipped to excel in their roles, ultimately contributing to a cohesive and productive working environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
Minimum of 5 years of experience managing laboratory equipment projects, commissioning, validation, or maintenance within a research environment.
Two or more years of experience leading technical teams, including coaching, performance management, and employee development.
Two or more years of experience leading complex projects within a matrixed environment, collaborating effectively with Quality, Operations, Procurement, Finance, and scientific stakeholders.
Two or more years of implementing EHS requirements, risk assessment practices, and equipment qualification standards within R&D laboratory environments.
Two or more years of experience managing budgets, vendor relationships, and procurement activities for technical equipment.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in an engineering discipline, such as mechanical, electrical, or biomedical engineering, or equivalent technical training.
At least 8 years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or highly complex research laboratory environments.
Strong problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management capabilities.
Demonstrated project management expertise, including the ability to prioritize team objectives and deliver outcomes aligned with organizational goals.
Experience implementing equipment qualification approaches, including IQ, OQ, and PQ, and developing compliance-ready documentation.
Experience with preventive maintenance programs, CMMS systems, or asset management tools.
Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
Prior hands-on experience as a scientist within an R&D laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

Accountable for Equipment life cycle management for equipment in Cambridge R&D Labs (from URS definition, equipment installation and life cycle management to equipment decommissioning, including inventory update and documentation management)
Ensure Good Scientific Practices and fit for purpose Quality System are embedded within the labs for the proper management of equipment (including quality standards, research practices, documentation, etc.) and labs are designed and setup for optimized use.
Implements and oversees Lab Equipment Lifecyle Management (LCM) program ensuring effective support/coordination within Lab Operations, by internal service partners (e.g. EHS, Facilities & Engineering, Procurement, Lab Systems/Tech, Quality), and external service providers.
Support the business for Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) demand collection for annual 3-year plan, individual Project Investment Proposals (PIPs), and execution oversight (including budget tracking and invoice forecast).
Overall accountable for equipment life cycle management service delivery per KPI targets and problem / issue resolution concerning equipment life-cycle management
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to implement a fit for purpose CAPEX delivery process.
Drives employee engagement within the Cambridge, MA Lab Operations team with emphasis on clear responsibilities & expectations, people development, enriching roles, effective recognition, and open & honest conversations.
Serve as Local Business Owner / Subject Matter Expert for key lab operations processes/systems concerning equipment life-cycle management and propose/lead improvement opportunities in the Vaccines R&D laboratories.