Lab Operations Specialist

Job Title: Lab Operations Specialist

Job Description

The Lab Operations Specialist serves as a key liaison between internal and external stakeholders to ensure accurate, efficient, and compliant handling of laboratory inventory. This role focuses on the movement, storage, control, and protection of raw materials, supplies, work-in-process products, and finished goods, supporting critical lab operations and contributing directly to high-quality research outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Manufacturing Operations, Donor Center, and Quality Assurance, to receive, inspect, release, store, monitor, and issue materials internally, and to ship finished goods to customers.

• Ensure the final disposition of materials and finished goods follows established processes, procedures, and quality standards.

• Schedule and perform cycle count activities, ensuring all counts are completed accurately and on time.

• Investigate and troubleshoot inventory discrepancies identified during cycle counts, and update designated metric reports accordingly.

• Monitor storage space availability within the area and recommend improvements to optimize space utilization.

• Participate in reviewing and updating material handling Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and company guidelines.

• Assist with the development and maintenance of metrics for Manufacturing Operations to track performance and efficiency.

• Support training of existing and new employees and participate in recruitment activities for new material handlers when requested.

• Comply with company policies and adhere to all safety requirements when handling materials and working in designated areas.

• Ensure equipment is maintained to high operational standards and promptly report any discrepancies or issues to leadership.

• Support management in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing and increasing the efficiency of material handling operations.

• Participate in special projects and perform other related duties as required.

• Perform responsibilities using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when required.

• Proactively carry out material handling activities, including shipping and receiving, inspection, tagging, and packaging of materials, discarding boxes appropriately, and maintaining the shipping area.

• Pick, pull, and package materials prior to internal issuance and/or off-site shipping.

• Handle finished goods under cryo-frozen conditions in accordance with established procedures.

• Apply basic inventory management principles, including FIFO and Kanban, to ensure proper material flow and control.

• Perform quality control inspections for incoming raw materials in line with applicable procedures.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in lab management.

• Hands-on experience with lab operations and lab equipment in a GMP or similarly regulated environment.

• Ability to write clear, accurate, and compliant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Strong understanding of ERP systems and inventory transactions.

• Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

• Physical ability to move moderately heavy and bulky materials safely.

• Familiarity with basic inventory management systems and methods such as FIFO and Kanban.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with electronic and paper-based inventory control systems.

• Experience handling cryo-frozen materials.

• Knowledge of quality standards such as ISO 9001.

• Working knowledge of creating pivot tables in Excel.

• Experience supporting manufacturing operations metrics and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Background in environments that collect and process donated blood and bone marrow specimens or similar biologically relevant materials.

• Strong attention to detail and ability to troubleshoot inventory discrepancies.

• Effective communication and collaboration skills for cross-functional work.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role based in Emeryville, working Monday through Friday with flexible working hours. The position is embedded in an active laboratory and manufacturing operations environment that processes donated blood and bone marrow specimens into research-ready samples. Work involves frequent interaction with lab equipment, inventory management systems, and cryo-frozen materials, as well as adherence to GMP-related practices, SOPs, and safety protocols. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used as required, and the role includes physical tasks such as moving moderately heavy or bulky materials within storage and shipping areas.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Emeryville, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $38.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Emeryville,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.