(CW) Laboratory Manager / Project Laboratory Move (CONTRACT/TEMPORARY)

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.; Novato (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. in Novato, CA, seeks a Laboratory Move Project Manager to plan, coordinate, and execute complex laboratory relocations involving high-value equipment in regulated environments.

You will interface with MEPT trades to ensure successful lab integration while maintaining continuity in current labs. This role requires 8–10 years in project management or laboratory operations, a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or life sciences, and PM certification preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, life sciences, facilities management, or related field.
• PM certification preferred.
• 8–10 years in project management or lab/facilities roles.
• Experience relocating large laboratory setups with 300+ equipment.
• Experience with biologics or regulated labs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Pre‑Move Planning: define scope, timeline, milestones, and budget.
• Coordination: liaise with lab teams, facilities, EHS, and vendors.
• Compliance & Risk: ensure safety and regulatory approvals.
• Logistics & Execution: manage vendor packing, transport, and installation.
• Post‑Move: recalibration and qualification with OEMs/vendors.

Skills

Project management

Laboratory operations

Cross-functional lead

Regulatory compliance

Equipment lifecycle

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Facilities Management, or related field

Project Management certification

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

CMMS

Job description

Who We Are

BioMarin is a leading rare disease biotechnology company focused on genetically defined conditions. Guided by our purpose to develop medicines that make a profound impact on people’s lives, our global teams have delivered a portfolio of therapies since our founding in 1997. Our revolutionary treatments for conditions like achondroplasia (the most common form of dwarfism), PKU (phenylketonuria), CLN2, a form of Batten disease, and a number of forms of MPS (mucopolysaccharidosis) offer new possibilities for patients and families who previously had few, if any, available options. More recently, with the close of the Amicus acquisition, our portfolio has expanded to include therapies for Fabry disease and Pompe disease, expanding our ability to reach more people living with rare genetic conditions. Our success comes from our unwavering commitment to excellence, our deep understanding of patient needs, our scientific expertise, and our world‑class manufacturing capabilities. At the heart of BioMarin is a dedicated team of the brightest minds in the industry working together to deliver innovative therapies to patients and families around the world.

About Technical Operations

BioMarin’s Technical Operations group is responsible for creating our drugs for use in clinical trials and for scaling production of those drugs for the commercial market. These engineers, technicians, scientists and support staff build and maintain BioMarin’s cutting‑edge manufacturing processes and sites, provide quality assurance and quality control to ensure we meet regulatory standards, and procure the needed goods and services to support manufacturing and coordinating the worldwide movement of our drugs to patients.

Contract Role

This will be hybrid in Novato: 2 days a week during move planning and 5 days a week during the actual move. Working 8 am to 5 pm.

Job Title

Laboratory Move Project Manager

Job Summary / Purpose

The Laboratory Move Project Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing complex laboratory relocations involving high‑value scientific equipment, sensitive materials, and regulated environments. Interface with MEPT trades to ensure successful lab integration into a new facility while maintaining continuity in the current labs. This role ensures seamless transition of laboratory operations with minimal disruption to research activities while maintaining compliance with safety, regulatory, and quality standards.

Required Qualifications

• Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Life Sciences, Facilities Management, or a related field required
  • Project Management certification preferred
• Experience
  • Minimum of 8–10 years of experience in project management, laboratory operations, or facilities‑related roles
  • Demonstrated hands‑on experience managing complex laboratory relocations, including large‑scale moves (e.g., 300+ pieces of equipment)
  • Proven experience working within biologics or regulated laboratory environments preferred
  • Experience coordinating with equipment vendors, OEMs, and cross‑functional stakeholders
• Technical Skills
  • Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet)
  • Strong understanding of laboratory equipment lifecycle (shutdown, transport, calibration, commissioning and qualification as necessary)
  • Familiarity with facility systems including electrical, HVAC, plumbing, process gases, process waste, and laboratory ventilation systems

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Pre‑Move Planning & Strategy
   • Define project scope, timeline, milestones, and critical path for laboratory relocation
   • Develop and manage relocation budgets, including vendor costs, calibration services, and waste disposal
   • Assess readiness of the new facility, ensuring alignment with technical requirements (electrical, data monitoring, HVAC, plumbing, ventilation)
   • Attend project OAC and specification development meetings
2. Coordination & Communication
   • Serve as the primary liaison across stakeholders including laboratory teams, project management teams, equipment owners, EHS&S, Facilities, Real Estate, and Information Management
   • Lead regular project meetings and status updates to ensure alignment and issue resolution
   • Establish contingency and risk mitigation plans for equipment damage, delays, or operational impacts
   • Assign and coordinate internal team responsibilities, including labeling, inventory tracking, and data management
3. Compliance & Risk Management
   • Ensure adherence to safety protocols for decommissioning, decontamination, and clearance of laboratory equipment and spaces
   • Secure and maintain required regulatory permits and approvals (e.g., DEA, EPA, DOT, FDA, CDC)
   • Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards
4. Logistics & Execution
   • Maintain a comprehensive inventory of all assets, including equipment, chemicals, biological materials, consumables and spare parts (CMMS), and office supplies
   • Direct and supervise on‑site moving activities, including sequencing, logistics coordination, and safety enforcement
   • Coordinate with specialized vendors for packing, transportation, and handling of sensitive equipment
5. Post‑Move Activities
   • Coordinate equipment recalibration, testing, and qualification with OEMs and vendors
   • Verify proper installation, utility connections, and placement of all laboratory equipment
   • Conduct final inspections and walkthroughs with safety and facilities teams to certify readiness of the new laboratory
   • Support formal closure of the previous space and operational release of the new environment

Key Competencies

• Strong project and program management skills
• Cross‑functional leadership and stakeholder management
• Risk assessment and mitigation capability
• Technical expertise in laboratory operations and equipment
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills

Additional Information

• May require periodic on‑site presence during move execution phases
• Ability to manage high‑pressure timelines and complex logistical coordination

Note

This description is not intended to be all‑inclusive, or a limitation of the duties of the position. It is intended to describe the general nature of the job that may include other duties as assumed or assigned.

Equal Opportunity Employer

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.