Laboratory Manager

- United States - VWR International; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

VWR International in Cambridge is seeking a Laboratory Manager to lead multifunctional lab operations, ensuring equipment, consumables and facilities run smoothly while scientists can focus on discovery.

You will partner with research teams, manage health and safety, support audits, and drive process improvements across antibody discovery, protein engineering, biology and biopharma development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline or equivalent lab experience.
• Several years of experience in a busy laboratory environment.
• Strong knowledge of health, safety and compliance standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders in a matrix environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary point of contact for laboratory users, visitors, suppliers and contractors.
• Ensure laboratories operate efficiently and remain fully functional at all times.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance and service with minimal disruption to operations.
• Support audits, risk assessments and safety initiatives.
• Manage laboratory consumables and onboarding of new users.
• Identify opportunities to improve lab processes and user experience.

Skills

Laboratory management

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Analytical thinking

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline

Tools

Laboratory equipment management

Inventory management software

MS Excel

Job description

The Opportunity:

Laboratory Manager

Working pattern: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00
Permanent | Cambridge (fully on-site)

Are you an experienced laboratory professional who enjoys creating an environment where scientists can do their best work? We are looking for a proactive and highly organized Laboratory Manager to support our Antibody Discovery, Protein Engineering, Biology, and Biopharmaceutical Development teams.

About the Role

Working closely with research teams, facilities management, suppliers, and service providers, you will ensure laboratory infrastructure, equipment, consumables, and operational processes are fully supported. You will play a critical role in enabling scientific excellence by removing operational barriers and continuously improving laboratory effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Laboratory Operations

• Serve as the primary point of contact for laboratory users, visitors, suppliers, and contractors.
• Ensure laboratories operate efficiently and remain fully functional at all times.
• Coordinate preventative maintenance activities and resolve facility-related issues with minimal disruption to laboratory operations.
• Support visits from internal stakeholders, external collaborators, auditors, and regulatory bodies.
• Manage laboratory consumables and maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Deliver laboratory inductions and support onboarding of new laboratory users.
• Coordinate periodic laboratory cleans and workspace organization activities.
• Maintain and continuously improve orientation and onboarding plans for new starters.
• Identify opportunities to improve laboratory processes, efficiency, and user experience.

Equipment Management

• Coordinate installation, servicing, maintenance, qualification, and repair of laboratory equipment.
• Partner with internal technical teams and external service providers to ensure equipment reliability.
• Monitor equipment utilization and identify opportunities to maximize the use of laboratory assets.
• Act as a super-user for designated laboratory instruments where required.
• Support equipment qualification activities, including IQ/OQ/PQ processes.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Support laboratory compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality requirements.
• Assist with risk assessments, COSHH documentation, and laboratory safety initiatives.
• Participate in laboratory audits and inspections and coordinate follow-up actions.
• Serve as a representative on safety and operations committees.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure relevant health and safety communications are effectively shared with laboratory users.

Stakeholder & Vendor Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with scientists, department leaders, suppliers, contractors, and service providers.
• Manage stakeholder expectations across a complex and fast-paced research environment.
• Support cross-functional projects and operational initiatives.
• Coordinate external vendors to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Act as a trusted operational partner to laboratory leadership.
• Provide clear communication and regular updates to stakeholders.
• Identify operational risks and proactively elevate issues to the appropriate teams and leaders to ensure timely resolution.
• Effectively manage competing priorities while balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders.

Continuous Improvement & Business Support

• Support laboratory-based projects and operational improvement initiatives.
• Monitor laboratory operational activities and identify efficiency opportunities.
• Support change-control activities where required.
• Contribute to cost-saving initiatives and operational excellence programs.
• Assist with the introduction of new technologies, processes, and laboratory capabilities.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline or equivalent laboratory experience.
• Several years of experience working within a laboratory environment.
• Experience supporting or managing busy, multi-user laboratory spaces.
• Knowledge of laboratory operations, health and safety requirements, and compliance standards.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a matrix environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive positi