Lab Operations Specialist

Actalent; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

PTO / Vacation / Sick Leave

Job summary

Actalent is hiring a Lab Operations Specialist in Emeryville, CA. The role supports inventory movement, storage, control, and protection of materials, ensuring adherence to processes, quality standards, and safety.

This onsite, contract-to-hire position partners with Manufacturing Operations, QA, and other teams to optimize material handling. Responsibilities include cycle counts, SOP development, training, and continuous improvement initiatives, with an emphasis on PPE compliance and accurate

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in lab management or lab operations.
• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams in lab and manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of ERP systems and inventory transactions.
• Ability to write clear and accurate SOPs.
• Strong computer skills, including Excel.
• Physical ability to move moderately heavy materials safely.
• Commitment to safety requirements and PPE usage in lab.
• Experience with inventory control systems and cryo-frozen materials is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate inventory movements, storage, and disposition per SOPs.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Operations, Donor Center, and QA.
• Receive, inspect, release, store, monitor, and issue materials.
• Schedule and perform cycle counts; address discrepancies.
• Maintain storage space and optimize lab material handling.
• Update material handling SOPs and related guidelines.
• Support Manufacturing Operations metrics and reporting.
• Train staff in material handling and lab operations; assist recruitment.
• Comply with safety requirements and use PPE at all times.
• Ensure equipment is maintained and report issues to manager.
• Drive continuous improvement in material handling efficiency.
• Participate in special projects related to lab operations.
• Use PPE during all lab activities and handling of biological products.

Skills

Cross-functional teamwork

ERP systems

SOP writing

Excel proficiency

Safety & PPE adherence

Physical movement of materials

Lab operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, or related

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Job Title: Lab Operations Specialist

Job Description

The Lab Operations Specialist serves as a key liaison between internal and external stakeholders for all inventory-related activities. This role provides accurate and efficient laboratory support for the movement, storage, control, and protection of raw materials, supplies, work-in-process products, and finished goods, ensuring that materials are handled in accordance with established processes, procedures, and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Manufacturing Operations, Donor Center, and Quality Assurance, to receive, inspect, release, store, monitor, and issue materials internally and ship finished goods to customers.
• Ensure the final disposition of materials and finished goods takes place in accordance with established processes, procedures, and quality guidelines.
• Schedule and perform cycle count activities, ensuring that all counts are completed accurately and on time.
• Investigate and troubleshoot inventory discrepancies identified during cycle counts and update designated metric reports to reflect findings and corrective actions.
• Monitor storage space availability within the laboratory and material handling areas and make recommendations for improvement and optimization as needed.
• Participate in the review and updating of material handling Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and company guidelines to maintain compliance and operational efficiency.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of Manufacturing Operations metrics, providing data and insights to support performance tracking and continuous improvement.
• Assist with training existing and new employees in material handling and lab operations, and support recruitment activities for new material handlers as requested.
• Comply with company policies and adhere strictly to safety requirements when handling materials and working in designated areas.
• Ensure equipment used in material handling and lab operations is maintained to the highest operational standards and promptly report any discrepancies or issues to the direct manager.
• Support management in driving continuous improvement initiatives aimed at optimizing and increasing the efficiency of material handling operations.
• Participate in special projects related to lab operations and inventory management and perform other related duties as required.
• Perform all responsibilities using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), particularly when working with biological products and lab operations activities.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in lab management or lab operations.
• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, or a related scientific discipline.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams in a laboratory and manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of ERP systems and inventory transactions.
• Ability to write clear and accurate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Excel.
• Physical ability to move moderately heavy and bulky materials safely.
• Commitment to following safety requirements and using appropriate PPE when handling materials and biological products.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with electronic and paper-based inventory control systems.
• Experience handling cryo-frozen materials.
• Knowledge of quality standards such as ISO 9001.
• Working knowledge of creating pivot tables in Excel.
• Experience contributing to the development and maintenance of operational metrics.
• Background working with donated biological specimens or in a research-support environment is beneficial.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role based in Emeryville, working Monday through Friday with flexible working hours. The environment involves active work in laboratory and material handling areas, including the movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process products, and finished goods. You will use ERP and inventory control systems, standard lab equipment, and computers with Excel-based reporting. The role requires regular use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling biological products and working in designated lab areas. The organization focuses on collecting and processing donated blood and bone marrow specimens into samples used immediately by researchers worldwide, supporting access to biologically relevant samples and accelerating the pace of research.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Emeryville, CA.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $38.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Emeryville,CA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.