Lab Operations Specialist / Facilities Operations Specialist

VARITE • Philadelphia, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

VARITE is seeking a Lab Operations Specialist / Facilities Operations Specialist for an onsite role in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The position supports laboratory operations in a biotechnology environment, helping ensure equipment, facilities, supplies, and safety systems are maintained and operational. This is a 12-month contract with a possible extension, paying $35.97–$41.00 per hour on W-2.

The specialist maintains equipment inventories, coordinates preventive maintenance, certifications, calibrations, and repairs, and monitors cold storage systems. The role also supports emergency planning, vendor and delivery coordination, laboratory procurement, operational troubleshooting, compliant procedures, and laboratory safety. The specialist works with laboratory personnel and cross-functional partners, and ensures visiting external technicians follow company policies.

Requirements

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or Facilities Management with a management or technical emphasis.
• At least 1 year of pharmaceutical, life sciences, or biotechnology experience in an academic or industry setting.
• At least 2 years of experience implementing maintenance and repair programs in a research and development facility.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with cross-functional team members.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to solve problems while anticipating downstream impacts.
• Highly organized, with strong attention to detail, clarity, accuracy, and conciseness.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with project management activities and vendor management.
• Experience working within an R&D team while establishing and enforcing laboratory operations best practices.
• Experience training or teaching new employees relevant technical and conceptual skills.
• Experience with laboratory supplies procurement.

Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate and promptly updated equipment inventory information.
• Regularly evaluate fixed laboratory equipment, including fume hoods, exhaust fans, and biosafety cabinets, to ensure proper function.
• Manage laboratory vendor service contracts and ensure preventive maintenance visits occur on schedule.
• Coordinate timelines across laboratories for certifications and calibrations of critical equipment.
• Help resolve equipment issues and coordinate repair visits between service providers and laboratory teams.
• Review cold storage monitoring software to minimize the risk of freezer failure; escalate issues and troubleshoot as needed.
• Participate in laboratory emergency planning and management, including power outages and infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate with technicians, users, IT, and leadership to meet equipment and operational needs.
• Chaperone external supplier technicians and ensure they follow company policies while onsite.
• Coordinate receipt of packages and gas deliveries, and logistics for laboratory equipment installations.
• Support procurement of laboratory consumables and supplies.
• Troubleshoot laboratory operations issues as they arise.
• Support development and maintenance of procedures for compliant laboratory operations.
• Work with the lab safety officer to manage safety systems and compliance and ensure personal protective equipment is current and available.
• Perform laboratory maintenance tasks as needed, such as stocking supplies, flushing eyewashes and safety showers, and removing waste.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Participation in a company-sponsored retirement savings plan.
• Legal service plans providing access to attorneys for legal advice and representation.
• Eligible employees may receive the listed benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree