Located in White City, OR
Pay: Competitive comp & benefits!
Job Full Description
We are seeking an R&D Operations Manager to lead the laboratory systems, infrastructure, and shared resource planning that supports a world-class R&D organization. This role owns safe, efficient, and reliable execution across shared lab activities, including scheduling and prioritization of production QC testing and standard R&D characterization.
Why Join Us?
• Help build and run the operating backbone of a world-class R&D organization.
• Create leverage across the entire R&D team by improving flow, visibility, and execution discipline.
• Work at the intersection of laboratory operations, product development, manufacturing, and quality.
• Build your career in the beautiful Rogue Valley with good work-life balance and excellent compensation.
What You Get to Do!
• Lead day-to-day laboratory operations to support safe, efficient, and high-quality execution across R&D activities.
• Own scheduling and coordination of shared laboratory resources, including production QC testing, standard R&D characterization, technician support, and instrument access.
• Balance routine testing needs with development program demands in partnership with technical and operational stakeholders.
• Maintain clear visibility into lab capacity, workload, priorities, and turnaround times.
• Develop and improve systems for test request intake, prioritization, scheduling, and status communication.
• Coordinate laboratory workflows to reduce bottlenecks and improve responsiveness across R&D, manufacturing, and quality.
• Support planning, maintenance, calibration, and utilization of laboratory and characterization equipment.
• Help ensure laboratory methods, documentation practices, sample flow, and operating procedures are organized, current, and consistently followed.
• Partner with EH&S and laboratory leadership to maintain strong safety, chemical handling, and operational compliance practices.
• Support inventory planning, material flow, and operational readiness for laboratory activities.
• Coordinate with R&D and manufacturing leadership on resourcing needs, constraints, and tradeoffs.
• Track operational metrics related to throughput, turnaround time, equipment utilization, and lab performance.
• Support capital planning, equipment installation, and laboratory infrastructure improvements as needed.
• Lead and develop technician staff as applicable, including workload balancing, training support, and performance accountability.
• Help refine the operating systems, rhythms, and best practices that allow NIC’s R&D organization to scale effectively.
What You Will Bring…
• Bachelor’s degree in a technical, operations, business, or engineering field; advanced degree is a plus.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in laboratory operations, R&D operations, technical operations, program operations, or similar environments.
• Demonstrated success managing laboratory workflows, shared resources, schedules, or technical operations in a fast-paced setting.
• Experience supporting production QC testing, laboratory characterization workflows, or shared technical-service environments.
• Strong operational instincts and ability to improve process, laboratory execution, and visibility without adding unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Successful coordination, installation, and setup of facilities, CAPEX equipment, and analytical instruments.
• Ability to work effectively across scientists, technicians, EH&S, operations, supply chain, and leadership.
• Familiarity with laboratory safety practices, documentation discipline, and operational controls.
• Experience managing or directing technicians or laboratory support personnel.
• Ability to work full time onsite.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and meet applicable export-control requirements, including qualification as a U.S. Person.
• Experience with project systems, capacity planning, KPI/dashboard design, or laboratory resource management.
• Familiarity with characterization tools and standard testing workflows used in coatings, materials, or chemical development environments.
• Experience supporting capital equipment planning, maintenance coordination, or lab expansion efforts.
To Apply: For confidential consideration, please submit resume to karen.turner@expresspros.com
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Bend, OR
3124
296 SW Columbia Street
Suite B
Bend, OR 97702
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