Associate Director/Director, Laboratory and Facility Operations

Role Summary

Keros Therapeutics is seeking a dynamic, motivated, and hands-on Laboratory and Facility Operations Associate Director/Director to oversee facilities and support lab functions. A successful candidate will have a proven track record in managing laboratories and facilities of increasing complexity, vendors, and teams in a fast-paced and dynamic laboratory environment. The ideal candidate will be working with the landlord and manage lab ops and facilities contractors to support scientific staff, purchasing & inventory management, equipment procurement and maintenance, and vendor management. The successful candidate will be proactive, embrace change, innovation, and initiate process improvements where they see fit.

Responsibilities

• Manage all general laboratory operations, including waste consolidation and removal, gas tank exchanges, PPE program, tissue culture room maintenance, hazardous waste disposal, etc.
• Oversees inventories, Laboratory Safety Plan/Manual, SDS Manual, and other laboratory documentation. Ensure that the laboratory and offices are cleaned/sanitized and kept in an orderly manner.
• Works with EHS consultant to maintain all permits and certifications. Monitors and ensures compliance with state, federal, and city regulations governing laboratory and facilities operations.
• Performs the role of Environmental Management System (EMS) Facility Supervisor. Negotiates contracts with and supervises all outside contractors. Assuring all outside contractors review and abide by “EHS Policy and Procedure Manual for Contractors”.
• Enforces established safety policies/procedures. Schedule safety training for new members and retraining for members who are in need of refresher training; ensure the training has been documented.
• Assists with shipping reagents and samples, in the US and internationally.
• Maintains a ‘customer-focused’ service approach by working closely with scientists to meet the needs of a dynamic, fast-paced, and highly collaborative environment.
• Works with Finance to track and manage capital assets, POs, and invoice approvals.
• Maintains and optimizes processes within the lab to increase efficiency and effectiveness, including overseeing the ordering of laboratory consumables, office supplies & services, and negotiating the best prices for supplies; addressing any issues with orders
• Maintains lab training records and chemical inventories.
• Manages alarm systems, including managing key card systems.
• Manages laboratory instrumentation/equipment, including servicing, repair, preventive maintenance, validation, and calibration. Ensure that users have been trained on the correct use of the laboratory equipment.

Facility Operations

• Ensures that the facility is maintained to the highest standards, including appearance upkeep.
• Responsible for ordering kitchen and office supplies.
• Assists in managing the interface between the technical and operations teams, building relationships with users, landlords, and estate service providers, as appropriate.
• Works closely with IT and HR to support onboarding and offboarding of new employees and contractors.
• Responsible for preventive maintenance of facility equipment, including plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and other related maintenance activities. Notifies management concerning the need for major repairs or additions.
• Periodically reviews existing local services to ensure that the most appropriate service delivery method is used and that value for money is achieved through consolidating procurement where possible, and agrees with building user representatives, where appropriate.
• Acts as a local expert in company facilities management technical matters and permits, and provides professional help and guidance to others, as appropriate.
• Acts as the main local liaison with vendors and estates.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in sciences or engineering-related fields
• At least 5+ years of relevant experience in lab/facilities management
• Experience working in a biotech/pharmaceutical laboratory environment
• Experience in multiple areas of lab management, including operations, vendor management, procurement, and safety
• Technical abilities and problem-solving skills are required to identify issues and effectively troubleshoot
• Knowledge of local, state, and applicable federal regulations relating to lab safety
• Experience with BMS systems
• Great attention to detail, including a proven ability to manage multiple, competing priorities simultaneously, as well as the ability to think strategically and execute methodically
• A high level of initiative, good judgment, and the ability to work with little supervision
• Commitment to quality
• An active problem solver, who can act independently, think critically and creatively
• Great interpersonal skills and willingness to work within a collaborative team setting and across functional areas
• Team player mentality is a must
• Ability to collaborate with a wide array of personalities and work styles
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication