Area Operations Manager

The Team

The Laboratory Operations (LabOps) team is responsible for managing the logistical execution of our laboratory processes. While all scientifically critical aspects of experiments are performed using robotics and automation, LabOps ensures the robotic instrumentation is set up, maintained, and functioning seamlessly. The team plays a pivotal role in efficiently clearing the queue of customer and internal experiments while keeping the automated systems operational around the clock. By maintaining a focus on precision and efficiency, the LabOps team ensures the CMU Cloud Lab facility operates systematically. Their responsibilities include overseeing all experiments, maintaining and controlling instrumentation, and managing inventory intake and receiving. Additionally, the LabOps team collaborates with various teams at the CMU Cloud Lab, providing high-quality feedback to help streamline internal systems critical to the Cloud Lab’s functionality.

*This is an on-site role at our Austin, TX headquarters*

The Position

As an Area Operations Manager, also referred to as a Laboratory Operations Shift Manager, you will oversee a team of approximately 15-20 individuals during your shift. In this leadership role, you will set high standards for your team while ensuring performance metrics are consistently achieved on schedule and within budget. You will serve as a key business partner to operations leadership and collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to drive efficiency and implement scalable processes. This position demands a results-driven, high-energy professional with the stamina and adaptability to excel in a fast-paced startup environment.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise a shift consisting of approximately 15-20 people while ensuring all company performance metrics are met.
• Plan, direct, supervise and control the execution of all business, technical, and fiscal functions of the Lab Operations department as deemed necessary by senior leadership.
• Manage daily work in the facility and monitor the queue of experiments to ensure that all protocols are addressed in a timely manner.
• Ensure that work produced by shift members is in accordance with company standards.
• Track and manage operator performance, attendance, training, and career development.
• Serve as the point person for any questions that arise on shift.
• Enforce facility policies and procedures including those involving safety and compliance.
• Staffing, scheduling, and approving timecards.
• Maintaining a safe and clean workspace
• Effectively work with other Shift Managers to ensure a smooth transition of shifts in a 24/7 environment.
• All other duties as deemed necessary.

About You

• The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:
• A servant leadership mindset
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced fulfillment, production, or manufacturing environment with defined success metrics
• A demonstrated history of success as leader of small and mid-sized teams
• Exceptional project management skills
• Ability to follow detailed written instructions.
• Excellent communication skills with all levels of management and staff
• Keen attention to detail, highly organized, and diligent
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, nights, and holidays.
• The ability to take the initiative in problem-solving with minimal supervision.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• 1- 4 years of leadership experience working in either:
• A fast-paced fulfillment center environment (Warehouse, Third Party Logistics, etc)
• A regulated manufacturing industry (Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, Biotechnology, Automotive, etc)
• Clinical testing labs or hospital
• Bachelors or master’s degree in industrial engineering or Operations Management
• Six Sigma Certification (Green or Black Belt)
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing or Toyota Production System principles

About ECL

www.emeraldcloudlab.com

The Emerald Cloud Laboratory (ECL) enables life scientists to move out of the lab, and to conduct research entirely from a computer. Stepping away from manual completion of experiments at the bench, scientists on the ECL leverage the remote, automated execution of all standard biology and chemistry experiments in Emerald’s industrial lab facilities, working within a software platform for all stages of research workflows, from experimental design to data analysis.