Manager Clinical Lab San Carlos, CA

Natera, Inc.; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Long-term equity

401(k) with company match

PTO & holidays

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Natera, Inc. in California seeks a Senior Lab Manager to lead a clinical lab team and ensure production goals, quality, and regulatory compliance are met.

You will monitor workflows, manage headcount, drive CAPAs and NCR closeouts, and collaborate with OPS, R&D, Statistics, and Support to implement process improvements.

This role offers a chance to influence the lab's performance and be a go-to leader when senior management is unavailable, with a robust Total Rewards program.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Biological Sciences or related field
• 6+ years of experience in a clinical lab environment with molecular diagnostics knowledge
• California State CLS or CGMBS license (Clinical Genetics Molecular Biologist Scientist)

Responsibilities

• Monitors workflow to meet production goals and deadlines (TAT, SLA)
• Plans and scales employees and equipment as needed
• Gathers and monitors metrics on production deadlines, efficiency, scrap, and error rates
• Oversees quality control programs and test results
• Drives cost reduction and quality improvements
• Manages headcount to meet production goals, including interviewing and PTO/overtime
• Implements continuous improvement projects in the lab
• Leads team operations when senior manager is not present
• Ensures seamless transition of automation into production
• Analyzes and troubleshoots lab processing errors and provides recommendations
• Supports NCR close-out and CAPA initiation/closure
• Ensures regulatory compliance and procedure adherence
• Maintains organized, safe work area
• Collaborates with OPS, Accessioning, Engineering, Stats, R&D, Support
• Addresses employee issues with HR guidance
• Communicates rationale for instructions and changes
• Meets with Supervisors on goals and progress
• Oversees performance reviews for direct reports
• Plans and leads team meetings
• Develops high-performing employees through learning and cross-training
• Rewards talent via merit reviews, promotions, and recognition

Skills

Multi-tasking

Organizational skills

Communication

Problem solving

Independent self-starter

Team building

Education

BS/BA in Biological Sciences

California State CLS license

6+ years clinical lab experience

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Works closely with Senior Manager to ensure company, department, and team goals are met.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitors workflow and ensures production goals and deadlines are met (e.g. TAT, SLA)
• Engages in future planning and scales employees and equipment appropriately
• Gathers and monitors metrics on production deadlines, efficiency, scrap waste, and error rates
• Monitors the quality control/assurance programs, test results, and equipment (if applicable)
• Uses metrics in decision-making and to drive changes across the team (e.g. cost reduction, quality improvement)
• Manages sufficient headcount levels to meet production goals by proactively driving the interview process and managing employee PTO and overtime when necessary.
• Refines current lab process through continuous improvement projects.
• Oversees team specific lab operation.
• Go-to person when senior manager is not present; go-to person for knowledge of process and product.
• Responsible for seamless transition of automation and test improvement/additions into production workflow
• Analyzes and troubleshoots lab processing errors; provides recommendations on how to proceed to lab director, scientists and statisticians as necessary
• Supports Supervisors in close out of NCRs.
• Responsible for the initiation and close out of CAPAs in a timely manner.
• Ensures departmental lab compliance for regulatory bodies
• Ensures tests are being completed according to approved procedures.
• Maintains an organized, safe and efficient work area for the team at all times.
• Actively interacts with interdepartmental teams such as OPS, Accessioning, Engineering, Stats, R&D, and Support.
• Handles employee issues: complaints, disciplinary actions, etc. Collaborate with Senior Manager and/or Human Resources to resolve issues.
• Explains (as much as possible) reasoning behind instructions/processes given/changes that are made. If necessary, explains to team why certain ideas cannot be implemented effectively.
• Meets regularly with Supervisors to discuss goals and progress.
• Responsible for performance review of direct reports and overseeing performance review of entire staff.
• Plans and leads team meetings.
• Develops high-performing employees by providing them learning opportunities, cross-training opportunities and new challenges whenever possible.
• Recognizes and rewards talent through merit reviews, promotions, and recognition programs
• Adheres to Departmental Expectations.
• Manages the training program for direct reports.
• Notifies management of all requirements for tools, supplies, etc.
• Receives assignments in the form of objectives and determines how to use resources to meet schedules and goals.
• Provides guidance to subordinates within the latitude of established company policies.
• Recommends changes to policies and establishes procedures that affect immediate organization(s).
• Manages the coordination of the activities of a section or department with responsibility for results, including costs, methods and staffing.

QUALIFICATIONS

• BS/BA degree in Biological Sciences, related related field, or equivalent
• 6+ years of experience in clinical Lab environment with knowledge in molecular diagnostics preferred. As a pre-req is eligible for delegation as both CAP General Supervisor and NYSDOH supervisor
• Current California State CLS or CGMBS license (Clinical Genetics Molecular Biologist Scientist)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Exceptional multi-tasking, organizational, and communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Excel.
• Able to be detailed oriented and can organize, prioritize.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Independent self-starter comfortable in working in teams at all levels
• Experience in building and managing a high performing group of engaged and motivated employees

Compensation & Total Rewards

This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer at the time of hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

This position is also eligible for additional compensation and benefits through Natera’s robust Total Rewards program, including:

• Annual performance incentive bonus
• Long-term equity awards
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Additional wellness and work-life benefits

Compensation Range: $123,400 - $185,200 USD

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.

WHAT WE OFFER

Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!

Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents.