Research and Development Operations Manager

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Located in White City, OR

Salary: Competitive comp & benefits!

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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