Manager, R&D Operations

Osmo•Elizabeth, NJ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Osmo is a digital olfaction company focused on improving human health and well-being by giving computers a sense of smell. With applications across various industries like fragrance, manufacturing, security, and medicine, Osmo leverages automation and AI/ML to solve complex problems. The company is expanding its operations and is seeking an operational engine for its Scientific Operations team. This role will translate strategy into execution, manage the day-to-day performance of the lab, and oversee equipment, processes, and people involved in physical sample throughput for applications in fine fragrance, laundry, candles, and new categories. The mission includes managing the olfactive team for data generation, leading customer program execution, owning the SOP framework, and fostering a continuous improvement culture.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in lab operations, fragrance/flavor applications, advanced manufacturing, biotech, or a comparable high-throughput physical environment.
2+ years of direct experience managing teams.
Direct experience delivering fragrance (or comparable formulations) into application bases (EtOH, laundry, candles, personal care, or similar).
Experience leading teams that deliver this work at scale.
Comfortable on the lab floor and in a spreadsheet.
Direct management experience across multiple sub-functions.
Track record of developing technicians, applications specialists, and operational staff.
Comfortable with Python and SQL for data pulling and basic analysis.
Ability to pick up new software independently.
Track record of taking complex operational projects from scoping to launch, on time and on budget.
Willingness to get hands dirty and lead by example.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the fragrance industry.
Experience with automation deployments.
Experience with lab reconfigurations.
Experience with new applications bring-up.
Experience with continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

Deliver fragrance into application bases (EtOH, laundry, candles, and new categories) by setting the quality bar and operational standards.
Execute operational commitments for key customer programs, ensuring sample volume, quality, and timing.
Optimize current sample preparation, applications workflows, and lab operations to improve cycle time, equipment utilization, and consumable spend.
Maintain and enforce standard operating procedures for lab logistics, sample handling, applications protocols, testing protocols, and data capture.
Manage and develop the olfactive team, Lab Managers, Applications specialists, and Technicians, including setting goals and running performance management.
Own consumables forecasting and supply chain coordination in partnership with procurement.
Pull and analyze throughput, utilization, and asset performance data using Python, SQL, or equivalent tools to inform operational decisions.
Identify bottlenecks in sample prep, dilution, applications, and stability testing workflows and drive solutions.
Lead R&D Ops projects from scoping through delivery, including automation rollouts, lab reconfigurations, new applications bring-up, and customer program execution.
Build, maintain, and enforce SOPs and testing protocols, training the team and auditing for compliance.
Build the cadence and culture of operational improvement through experiments, measured outcomes, and captured learnings.
Maintain the operational quality bar for applications work, ensuring samples meet standards for evaluation, manufacturing, and customers.
Coordinate internal teams to hit volume, quality, and timing for customer programs.
Own the operational rollout for new application formats, including protocols, equipment, training, and SOPs.
Ensure every sample generated is captured cleanly into Osmo's data systems for model training.
Manage hiring, performance management, and development for Applications specialists and Technicians.
Set work plans, manage workload allocation, and develop the staffing model to meet operational goals.
Own consumables forecasting and supply chain coordination with the procurement team.
Work closely with ML, Software, and Hardware teams for automation deployments and integration of lab output into digital systems.
Partner with the manufacturing team on operational details for moving discoveries and applications from lab to factory.
Monitor equipment uptime, throughput, and utilization, driving decisions on maintenance, reallocation, and upgrades.
Pull and analyze operational data using Python, SQL, or equivalent tools to surface insights that improve throughput and reduce cost per sample.