Lab Operations Specialist: Equipment & Vendor Coordination

Planet Group; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Planet Group in Philadelphia, PA seeks a Lab Operations Specialist on a 12-month, on-site contract. The role focuses on maintaining equipment inventory, coordinating calibrations, and overseeing vendor services to ensure compliant, smooth lab operations.

The candidate should have a life sciences or facilities management background and experience with maintenance programs in R&D settings, combined with strong communication and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• A.S. or B.S. in Life Sciences or Facilities Management with management/technical emphasis.
• Minimum 1 year of pharmaceutical, life sciences, or biotech experience in an academic or industry setting.
• Minimum 2 years of experience implementing maintenance and repair programs in an R&D facility.
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Ability to solve problems with forward-looking thinking.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Maintain equipment inventory with accurate, timely updates.
• Regularly evaluate fixed lab equipment (fume hoods, exhaust fans, biosafety cabinet) for proper operation.
• Manage vendor service contracts ensuring preventative maintenance visits occur on schedule.
• Coordinate timelines across laboratories for certifications and calibrations.
• Assist in coordinating equipment repairs between service providers and the lab team.
• Review cold storage monitoring software to minimize freezer failure and escalate issues as needed.
• Participate in lab emergency planning/management for power outages and infra projects.
• Collaborate with technicians, users, IT, and leadership to meet equipment and operational needs.
• Chaperone external technicians and ensure policy compliance onsite.
• Oversee delivery logistics for packages, gas deliveries, or equipment installation.
• Support procurement of laboratory consumables and supplies as needed.
• Troubleshoot general lab operation issues as they arise.
• Develop and maintain procedures to ensure compliant lab operations.
• Work with lab safety officer to manage safety systems and PPE.
• Provide miscellaneous maintenance tasks such as stocking, eye wash/safety shower flushing, waste removal.

Skills

Lab Operations

Vendor Management

Equipment Maintenance

Calibration

Education

A.S. or B.S. in Life Sciences or Facilities Management with management/technical emphasis

Job description

Planet Group in Philadelphia, PA seeks a Lab Operations Specialist on a 12-month, on-site contract. The role focuses on maintaining equipment inventory, coordinating calibrations, and overseeing vendor services to ensure compliant, smooth lab operations.

The candidate should have a life sciences or facilities management background and experience with maintenance programs in R&D settings, combined with strong communication and organizational skills.