Office Manager

Watchmaker Genomics; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative life science company in Cape Town is seeking an Office Manager to maintain operations and oversee vendor services. The ideal candidate should have a bachelor's degree and 4-5 years of office administration experience, preferably in a biotech or laboratory environment. Responsibilities include managing office upkeep, coordinating administrative support, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. The role offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• 4-5 years of experience in office administration or facilities coordination.
• Experience in biotech/pharmaceutical/laboratory environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the office environment and common areas.
• Serve as the site’s front-office coordinator.
• Oversee third-party facility service providers.
• Administer site access with IT/security teams.
• Manage budgets for office supplies and services.
• Uphold health and safety standards.

Skills

Excellent organization and multitasking abilities

Strong communication and people skills

Experience managing vendors or service contracts

Familiarity with office software

Understanding of basic safety and security practices

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Facilities-related tools

Job description

Overview

Position: Office Manager
Position Type: Full time, permanent
Department: R&D - CT
Location: Cape Town
Experience: 4-5 years in office administration, facilities coordination, or a similar role. Prior GMP-regulated or laboratory experience is beneficial or demonstrated ability to follow strict procedural compliance.

Watchmaker Genomics is a global life science company with an R&D and Production facility in Cape Town, South Africa. We design, develop, and produce DNA- and RNA-modifying enzymes for genomics, molecular diagnostics, and personalized medicine.

Responsibilities

• Office Operations & Upkeep: Maintain the office environment and common areas; ensure conference rooms, break rooms, kitchens, and reception areas are presentable and stocked. Manage office supplies, printer and bathroom supplies, and handle facility service requests (lighting, plumbing, coffee machine, etc.) or coordinate repairs as needed.
• Administrative Support & Reception: Serve as the site’s front-office coordinator—greet visitors, manage sign-in and badging, manage mail and shipments, assist with scheduling meetings and on-site events, and supervise administrative staff as the company grows.
• Vendor Management (Soft Services): Oversee third-party facility service providers, including cleaning, waste disposal, plant maintenance, and catering. Negotiate contracts, monitor SLAs, and approve invoices.
• Security & Access Administration: Administer site access with IT/security teams; issue badges/keys, maintain access lists and parking allocations, coordinate with IT on security systems, organize visitor access, and liaise with contracted security as needed.
• Space Planning & Moves: Maintain seating plans and workspace allocations; coordinate moves and setup for new hires; work with Facilities Engineer for infrastructure changes; manage inventory of furniture and supplies.
• Budgeting & Record-Keeping: Manage budgets for office supplies and services; track expenditures; maintain contracts and maintenance records; provide monthly/quarterly facility metrics to management.
• Support Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) & Compliance: Work with the EH&S Manager to uphold health and safety standards, schedule drills, maintain first aid kits, post safety signage, and ensure regulatory compliance in communal spaces. May assist with COVID/biosafety protocols as applicable.
• Site Culture & Employee Experience: Contribute to a positive work culture, assist HR with onboarding, coordinate site communications, and help plan company events from a facilities perspective.

Note: The above responsibilities are not exhaustive and other similar duties may be required from time to time.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business administration, office management, or related field. Experience in biotech/pharmaceutical/laboratory environments is a plus.
• 4-5 years of experience in office administration or facilities coordination; GMP-regulated or laboratory experience is beneficial; experience in biotech/start-up environments is highly desirable.

Skills & Requirements

• Excellent organization and multitasking abilities; capable of managing schedules, vendors, and requests in a dynamic environment.
• Strong communication and people skills; professional reception and customer-service orientation.
• Experience managing vendors or service contracts; basic negotiation and budgeting skills.
• Familiarity with office software and facilities-related tools (ticketing systems, badge management, etc.).
• Understanding of basic safety and security practices; knowledge of OSH acts for offices (and labs, if applicable) is advantageous.
• Ability to lift moderate packages or office equipment and perform light hands-on tasks as needed.

Application Requirements

• Submit a PDF with a letter of motivation and resume/CV highlighting relevant qualifications and experience at watchmakergenomics.com.
• Application deadline: Friday, 10 October 2025. The position may close earlier if high volume of applications is received.
• Applications without a Letter of Motivation will not be considered. Applicants must be South African or eligible to work in South Africa with valid work permits/visas or ability to obtain them before responding.
• If selected for interview, provide three professional references and a current payslip if requested.
• NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES. We are accepting direct applications only; unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters will not be considered.

Equal Opportunity
WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER. Watchmaker Genomics is committed to a diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. South African citizens preferred.

This position may be subject to pre-employment checks, including driving history, drug screening, and a background check relevant to the duties. All checks will comply with applicable laws.