Specialist, Business Consulting (Onsite)

MSD; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD is seeking a Laboratory Operations Manager to lead and coordinate essential lab services, maintain equipment, and support a dynamic discovery environment. You will partner with scientists and site teams to ensure high-quality service delivery aligned with division processes.

The role requires a strong operations background, hands-on problem solving, and excellent communication to manage priorities and drive continuous improvement in a multidisciplinary setting.

Qualifications

• B.S./B.A. degree required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in research science operations.
• Experience with lab equipment maintenance and safety compliance.
• Strong communication and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee capital asset lifecycle for laboratories.
• Provide hands-on support for equipment maintenance programs.
• Coordinate chemical stockroom, consumables logistics, and material shipments.
• Collaborate with Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities, Lab Computing and other support functions.

Skills

Lab operations

Communication

Project management

Problem solving

Computer skills

Lab equipment knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Lab equipment maintenance tools

Job description

Job Description

Laboratory Operations Manager

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines, consumer health products, and animal health products. Today, we are building a new kind of healthcare company—one that is ready to help create a healthier future for all of us.

Our ability to excel depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, skill, unique perspective, and teamwork of individuals like you. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement, and collaboration. As part of our global team, you will have the opportunity to work with talented and dedicated colleagues while developing and expanding your career.

Our research & development Division Operations is seeking a Laboratory Operations Manager to support research laboratories across Discovery sites. This role enables the efficient execution of research activities and contributes directly to the advancement of our company’s Discovery pipeline. As an individual contributor working with minimal supervision, the Laboratory Operations Manager will lead and coordinate key aspects of research laboratory operations, serving as hands‑on resource and liaison between scientists, local stakeholders, site support teams, and global support functions to ensure high‑quality service delivery in alignment with established research & development Division processes.

Key responsibilities include oversight of the capital asset lifecycle, hands‑on support for common laboratory equipment maintenance programs, chemical stockroom supply and laboratory consumables logistics, coordination of research material shipments, and operational support for laboratory modifications, planned facility downtime, IT requests, and ad hoc laboratory furniture needs. The role will partner closely with scientists to understand and represent laboratory needs while collaborating with Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities, Lab Computing, and other support functions. The Laboratory Operations Manager may also represent end‑user needs in Safety and Facilities meetings, support inspections, and ensure timely follow‑up on action items.

The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of laboratory operational support and a continuous improvement mindset. In a multidisciplinary, dynamic early discovery environment, this individual must be flexible, highly organized, collaborative, and comfortable providing hands‑on operational support in the laboratory while managing shifting priorities. The ideal candidate will proactively resolve or elevate issues in a timely manner while maintaining a strong focus on quality, compliance, and customer service. Excellent interpersonal communication, project management, problem‑solving, and computer skills are essential.

Education Minimum Requirement

• B.S./B.A. degree

Required Experience and Skills

• Minimum of 3 years of experience with knowledge of research science functions and operating models
• Knowledge of laboratory, facilities, and work environment needs within a research or drug discovery organization
• Ability to identify appropriate resources for troubleshooting and operational project support with minimal supervision
• Willingness to take on new challenges and learning opportunities
• Familiarity with the maintenance and use of biological research laboratory equipment, including cell culture hoods, incubators, centrifuges, imaging systems, and liquid handling instruments
• Strong communication, project management, problem‑solving, interpersonal, and computer skills

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience with process improvement and change management
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving capabilities
• Passion for learning, growth, and continuous development
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Required Skills

Business Process Analysis, Business Process Improvements, Business Requirements Management, Cell Cultures, Change Management, Environmental Health And Safety, Global Health, Information Technology Applications, Interpersonal Communication, Lab Equipment Maintenance, Laboratory Maintenance, Mammalian Cell Culture, Manufacturing Automation, Operational Quality, Primary Cell Culture

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

San Francisco Residents Only

We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

10%

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

09/11/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFOREthe listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

The salary range for this role is

$98,000.00 - $154,300.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.