Research Stockroom Manager

Research Stockroom Manager

The Research Stockroom Manager is responsible for establishing, organizing, and managing a centralized research stockroom that serves faculty, staff, and students in STEM disciplines across Syracuse University. Reporting to the Director of Research Operations within the Office of Research's Core Facilities department, the successful candidate will build the stockroom infrastructure from the ground up, implement efficient operational systems, and ensure researchers have timely and reliable access to the materials and supplies needed to support their work. The Research Stockroom Manager will also collaborate with Environmental Health & Safety Services (EHSS) in managing and executing the campus-wide chemical receiving and delivery program. The position may also supervise student and temporary workers who assist with day-to-day stockroom operations.

Education and Experience - Bachelor's Degree in Life sciences, natural sciences, or engineering discipline or a field closely related to research operations and supply management. Minimum of two (2) years of experiences in a laboratory stockroom, research operations, or scientific supply/procurement.

Skills and Knowledge - Experience establishing or significantly restructuring a stockroom, warehouse, or research support operation. Familiarity with academic research environments and the supply needs of multiple scientific disciplines. Prior supervisory experience, including oversight of student workers or part-time staff. Experience with enterprise resource planning systems (e.g., Workday, SAP) or laboratory information management systems. Knowledge of controlled substances handling procedures and DEA compliance requirements. Certification in laboratory safety, hazardous materials handling (e.g., HAZWOPER), or supply chain management is a plus.

Responsibilities - Stockroom Establishment and Inventory Management: Lead the creation and ongoing operation of a new, centralized research stockroom. Design layout and storage systems suited to diverse research disciplines, including chemical, biological, and physical sciences materials. Source and maintain inventory of commonly used consumables, reagents, and lab supplies; monitor stock levels and proactively reorder to prevent shortages. Implement and maintain an inventory tracking system (barcode/RFID, database, or ERP-integrated) to ensure accurate, real-time stock visibility. Develop and enforce stockroom policies, safety protocols, and access procedures in compliance with university guidelines and applicable regulations.

Receiving, Procurement, and Chemical Receiving Partnership: Manage the full cycle of supply procurement and receiving for the stockroom. Serve as the primary receiver for deliveries, ensuring accurate verification, logging, and distribution of incoming items. Partner with the Environmental Health and Safety Services chemical receiving coordinator to jointly manage campus chemical receiving operations, establish shared workflows and documentation standards, and maintain mutual backup coverage. Coordinate with principal investigators and departmental staff on supply needs; build and maintain vendor relationships in coordination with Procurement; ensure compliant handling of hazardous, temperature-sensitive, and regulated materials in accordance with applicable requirements.

Customer Service and Cross-Disciplinary Support: Provide high-quality, responsive service to a broad research community spanning Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Biology, Physics, and Engineering. Operate a customer-facing service counter or request portal; fulfill orders and walk-in requests accurately and promptly. Develop familiarity with supply and material needs across supported disciplines to provide informed assistance and proactive suggestions to researchers. Gather and act on feedback from research groups to continuously improve the stockroom's product offerings, service quality, and operational efficiency.

Supervision, Safety, and Compliance: Oversee the safe and compliant operation of the stockroom environment. Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise student workers, providing clear direction, performance feedback, and development support. Maintain accurate records of chemical inventories, safety data sheets, and hazardous material handling logs in compliance with OSHA, EPA, and university standards. Conduct routine audits of stock, storage conditions, and safety equipment; coordinate with Environmental Health and Safety Services to ensure ongoing compliance. Develop and deliver onboarding and safety training for all stockroom personnel.

Physical Requirements - Ability to lift and move packages up to 50 lbs. and perform physical tasks associated with receiving and stockroom operations