Lab Operations Manager

US Specialty Labs•San Diego, CA

9d•$85,000 - $110,000

About The Position

The Lab Operations Manager oversees laboratory supply chain and operational systems and serves as the operational lead for NetSuite. The role uses hands-on experience in a manufacturing or laboratory environment to improve inventory accuracy, material availability, production planning, and cost visibility. It works with laboratory leadership, Quality, Finance, system administrators, implementation partners, and other stakeholders to maintain reliable workflows, resolve operational issues, and train employees. The manager is also responsible for laboratory information system workflows and performs the role of HIPAA security officer, including developing security policies, implementing procedures and training, conducting risk assessments, and monitoring compliance. The position may support day-to-day sample processing when trained and authorized, and assists with validation studies, new method implementation, customer requests, and service issues.

Requirements

Extensive hands-on NetSuite experience in a manufacturing or laboratory environment, beyond basic data entry, with ownership of inventory, purchasing, operational transactions, and process improvements.
Demonstrated ability to maintain item master data, reconcile inventory, manage purchasing workflows, and troubleshoot transaction errors.
Ability to translate operational requirements into documented system workflows, train users, and coordinate effectively with Finance, Quality, and technical teams.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills.
Strong attention to detail, accurate recordkeeping, and ability to prioritize competing operational requirements.
Bachelor's degree in science.
At least five years of relevant experience in laboratory operations, manufacturing operations, or quality management.

Nice To Haves

Direct use of NetSuite Advanced BOM, including creating and maintaining BOMs and revisions, assigning BOMs to assemblies, managing effective dates, and applying revisions to work orders.
Experience with laboratory reagents or diagnostic collection kits, assembly production, lot and expiration controls, material planning, and inventory or manufacturing cost analysis.
Participation in a NetSuite implementation, optimization, or integration project.
Relevant NetSuite certifications.

Responsibilities

Manage laboratory supplies, reagents, and collection-kit components in NetSuite, including item records, units of measure, inventory locations, replenishment parameters, forecasting, purchase orders, and receipt verification.
Serve as the NetSuite operations subject matter expert for inventory, purchasing, and assembly workflows; resolve transaction and master-data issues, document procedures, and train users.
Maintain bills of materials and, where enabled, Advanced BOM records and revisions for kits and assemblies, coordinating component quantities, effective dates, and approved substitutions with Quality and laboratory leadership.
Manage applicable work orders and assembly transactions, confirm component availability, reconcile actual consumption with expected BOM quantities, and investigate shortages, scrap, and usage variances.
Oversee inventory counts, adjustments, lot traceability, and expiration controls; reconcile physical stock with NetSuite and coordinate material holds, expired stock, and discrepancies with Quality.
Develop NetSuite saved searches, reports, and dashboards to monitor stockouts, inventory accuracy, purchasing lead times, material usage, and operating costs; work with Finance to reconcile operational transactions and explain variances.
Coordinate NetSuite workflow improvements, data imports, and integration testing with system administrators and implementation partners; validate changes before release and maintain documented user training.
Monitor laboratory workload, identify capacity constraints, and adjust staffing and material plans to support timely sample processing.
Maintain laboratory information system workflows by identifying operational needs, prioritizing improvements, testing changes, writing procedures, and training employees; coordinate data handoffs with NetSuite where applicable while maintaining security and confidentiality.
Perform the role of HIPAA security officer by developing security policies, implementing procedures and training, conducting risk assessments, and monitoring compliance.
Assist with onboarding and training laboratory personnel, including NetSuite transaction procedures and inventory controls.
Support day-to-day sample processing when needed and within the employee's training and authorization.
Resolve operational problems with laboratory directors, pathologists, technical coordinators, and other relevant stakeholders.
Use computer systems as required and according to company and departmental policies.
Use personal protective equipment appropriately and demonstrate safe work practices in accordance with laboratory and company policy.
Assist with validation studies and new method implementation; write and revise technical and operational procedures in accordance with applicable requirements.
Communicate professionally with customers about operational requests, supply availability, and service issues.
Assist customers with product and service information and coordinate technical questions with appropriate laboratory personnel.
Investigate customer concerns, coordinate corrective actions, and escalate unresolved issues to the appropriate department.
Maintain customer relationships through timely follow-up and reliable resolution of operational issues.