Lab Manager (Safety & Operations)

PHNX Materials; San Leandro (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity to shape a facility tackling environmental challenges.

Dynamic startup environment with growth opportunities.

Chance to revolutionize heavy industries.

Job summary

PHNX Materials is seeking a Lab Manager to oversee daily laboratory operations, ensuring safety, inventory management, and compliance. The role involves support for pilot-scale experimentation, enabling efficient and safe lab practices. Candidates should have 5+ years of relevant experience in materials or chemical R&D with a strong focus on lab safety and communication. This position is pivotal in promoting a disciplined operating culture while tackling critical environmental challenges.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience as a Lab Manager or similar role in a chemical, materials, or industrial R&D environment.
• Strong experience ordering, storing, and managing chemicals and lab inventories.
• Working knowledge of lab safety and hazardous materials handling.

Responsibilities

• Own day‑to‑day laboratory operations across R&D and pilot activities.
• Implement and maintain lab safety standards, protocols, and SOPs.
• Lead lab safety onboarding for new hires and contractors.

Skills

Lab management

Chemical safety

Inventory management

Strong communication

Detail-oriented

Job description

About PHNX Materials

PHNX Materials refines coal ash waste into critical products. Our proprietary technology extracts titanium, alumina and rare‑earth elements from ash while selling the residual feed as a cement substitute (SCM). Our cost‑effective, scalable technology delivers a triple win: securing domestic critical mineral supply chains, helping power producers manage coal ash liabilities, and providing concrete companies a cheaper, greener alternative to cement. Founded by Stanford, McKinsey, and Tesla alumni, PHNX is on a mission to mine this abundant domestic natural resource.

Role

PHNX Materials is seeking a hands‑on Lab Manager to own daily laboratory operations, inventory, and safety across our lab and pilot environments. This role is responsible for keeping the lab running smoothly, safely, and efficiently, while supporting pilot‑scale experimentation and early production activities. The Lab Manager will serve as the operational backbone of the lab, ensuring chemicals, equipment, PPE, and materials are available and properly managed, while embedding strong safety practices into everyday work.

Key Responsibilities

Lab Operations & Management

• Own day‑to‑day laboratory operations across R&D and pilot activities
• Order, receive, label, and store all laboratory chemicals, reagents, and consumables
• Maintain accurate chemical and materials inventory, including:
  • Minimum stock levels
  • Kanban or card‑based reordering systems
  • Tracking of usage and lead times
• Manage lab equipment organization, readiness, and cleanliness
• Perform routine checks to ensure lab spaces are functional and safe
• Support hands‑on lab and pilot work as needed, including material handling, scooping, sieving, and sample preparation
• Ensure proper storage and segregation of raw materials, intermediates, and finished samples

Safety & EH&S (Integrated into Lab Operations)

• Implement and maintain lab safety standards, protocols, and SOPs
• Own PPE selection, ordering, stocking, and compliance
• Conduct daily safety walk‑throughs and pre‑work safety checks
• Perform safety checks and sign‑offs prior to pilot production runs
• Lead monthly safety inspections and maintain inspection records
• Maintain and update the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP)
• Create and update safety policies as lab and pilot operations evolve
• Manage hazardous materials programs, including:
  • Chemical labeling and SDS management
  • Hazardous waste handling and disposal coordination
  • Safe operation of machinery and physical equipment
• Coordinate external safety support or consultants as needed

Training & Team Enablement

• Lead lab safety onboarding for new hires, contractors, and visitors
• Develop and deliver recurring safety and lab best‑practice training on a monthly cadence
• Reinforce a culture of shared responsibility, cooperation, and accountability in the lab
• Serve as a go‑to resource for safe experimental setup and execution

Facilities & Pilot Support

• Support setup, renovation, and commissioning of new lab or pilot spaces
• Ensure labs and pilot areas are inspection‑ready at all times
• Coordinate site readiness for visitors, partners, and investors
• Support interaction with city officials or inspectors related to lab and pilot operations

Purchasing, Inventory & Admin

• Own lab and facility purchasing, including chemicals, PPE, consumables, and small equipment
• Coordinate purchasing from facility vendors and suppliers
• Reconcile lab and facility credit card statements
• Maintain organized records for inventory, purchasing, and safety documentation

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience as a Lab Manager, Senior Lab Technician, or similar role in a chemical, materials, or industrial R&D environment
• Strong experience ordering, storing, and managing chemicals and lab inventories
• Working knowledge of lab safety, hazardous materials handling, and EH&S best practices
• Comfortable working in both lab and pilot‑scale industrial environments
• Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and proactive
• Hands‑on mindset with willingness to work on the lab floor daily
• Strong communication skills and ability to coordinate across teams

Nice to Have

• Formal EH&S training or certification
• Experience supporting pilot plants or scale‑up facilities
• Experience with inventory systems or lean lab operations

Why This Role Matters

This role ensures that PHNX’s lab and pilot operations run safely, reliably, and without friction. You will directly enable faster experimentation, cleaner data, safer scale‑up, and a disciplined operating culture from day one.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to shape and build a facility tackling major environmental challenges.
• Dynamic startup environment with mission‑driven team and room for growth.
• The chance to revolutionize heavy industries.

PHNX Materials is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.