Lab Operations Associate

Planet Pharma; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Pharma in Redwood City, CA invites a Temp Lab Operations Associate to support lab supply inventory, receiving, and distribution across the campus.

You will work with scientists and vendors, maintain stock records, handle temperature-sensitive materials, and assist with equipment maintenance, waste management, and safety checks.

Qualifications

• HS diploma or GED required; associate/bachelor’s in science or business a plus.
• Strong ability to stand for long shifts and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Experience with lab inventory and safety best practices preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receive, verify, and document incoming laboratory supplies, reagents, and equipment.
• Restock shelves, maintain stock records, and flag low inventory before shortages occur.
• Properly store temperature-sensitive materials and safely handle hazardous goods, dry ice, and liquid.
• Assist with sterile media preparation and agar plates; maintain electronic notebook records.
• Assist with freezer defrosting, biosafety cabinet cleaning, calibration, and preventive maintenance.
• Consolidate waste, manage glassware, and upkeep shared lab and breakroom spaces.
• Monitor temperature alerts to minimize downtime and act as first contact for infrastructure issues.
• Conduct routine safety checks and communicate with building management and contractors.

Skills

Inventory management

Facilities coordination

Lab safety awareness

Team communication

Education

High School Diploma

Associate or Bachelor’s degree (plus)

Tools

LIMS

MS Office

Job description

Temp Lab Operations Associate

The Opportunity:

Seeking an individual with a strong background in laboratory supply inventory, ordering, receiving, and distribution. The position will work closely with cross functional scientists and vendors to ensure continuity of the stocking and the tracking of laboratory supplies across company campus. The position will also work closely with Facilities and EH&S.

• Shipment Processing: Receive, verify, and document incoming laboratory supplies, reagents, and equipment.
• Inventory Management: Restock shelves, maintain accurate stock records in an information management system and flag low inventory before shortages occur.
• Material Handling: Properly store temperature-sensitive materials and safely handle hazardous goods, dry ice, and liquid.
• Media Kitchen: Assist with preparation of sterile media and agar plates as needed. Maintain records in an electronic laboratory notebook.
• Equipment Maintenance: Assist with freezer defrosting and maintenance, biosafety cabinet and incubator cleaning and decontamination, preventive maintenance scheduling, and calibrations.
• Lab Organization: Assist with routine maintenance such as consolidating waste, glassware management, and general upkeep of shared lab and breakroom spaces.
• Troubleshooting: Serve as the first point of contact for infrastructure or utility issues and monitor freezer/refrigerator temperature alerts to minimize downtime.
• Safety: Perform routine lab walkthroughs and hazard checks to ensure the facility meets health and safety guidelines.
• Communication: Communicate and coordinate between building management, internal staff, and external contractors.
• Waste Management: Safely collect, manage, and dispose of laboratory waste as needed in accordance with local, state, and federal compliance rules.

Required Skills, Experience and Education:

• Education: High School Diploma/GED is required; an associate or bachelor’s degree in a scientific or business field is a plus.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to stand for long shifts and frequently lift heavy boxes (often up to 50 lbs.).

Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience in a life sciences lab, warehouse, or facilities management is highly valued.
• Previous experience using an autoclave.
• Management of manual defrost cycles for -80°C and -20°C freezers.
• Experience with monitoring liquid nitrogen (LN2) levels in tank and inspecting vacuum-jacketed piping for frost/leaks.
• Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), inventory databases, and MS Office is a plus.