Laboratory Operations Associate

About Inari...

Inari is the SEEDesign company. We embrace the diversity and complexity of nature in every aspect of our business to drive innovation – to push the boundaries of what is possible. Through our unrivaled technology platform, Inari uses predictive design and advanced multiplex gene editing to develop step-change products. We are taking a nature positive approach to unlock the full potential of seed that will transform the food system. The results will lead to more productive acres delivering value creation for farmers and a more sustainable future for our planet.

Our success is dependent on great minds, collaborating to generate bright ideas and deliver exceptional outcomes.

We have over 300 employees, with research sites in Cambridge, MA (USA) and Ghent (Belgium), as well as a product development site in West Lafayette, IN (USA). We've deliberately built a team that brings diversity of thought to all aspects of our business, to generate new ideas, approaches, and ways of operating. And we've intentionally combined experience with potential, bringing agriculture industry experts with the desire to innovate together with bright minds from academia, human therapeutics, software, and consulting. If you want to be part of a diverse and inclusive team developing unique solutions to feed the world while protecting our planet's natural resources, we'd love to hear from you!

Position Overview:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Laboratory Operations Associate to join our dynamic team. This role is instrumental in ensuring smooth day-to-day operations of the laboratory by collaborating across functional teams and maintaining essential supplies, equipment, and processes. The ideal candidate will be a problem-solver with a passion for creating efficiency, fostering safety, and supporting the success of our laboratory colleagues.

Key Responsibilities:

• Procurement & Inventory Management
• Collaborate with functional teams to procure, develop, qualify, validate, and continuously maintain laboratory supplies and equipment.
• Oversee the ordering and inventory of stockroom/warehouse supplies and laboratory-specific materials to ensure timely availability.
• Proactively track outstanding Purchase Orders (POs) and resolve issues such as substitutions, delays, or service disruptions in collaboration with the team and manager.
• Collaborate with outside vendors to reduce costs and improve product availability and efficiencies.
• Operational Support
• Ensure all operational frameworks—policies, processes, and procedures—are effectively implemented and function as intended.
• Manage and respond to supply requests, equipment maintenance needs, and stock-related issues through a ticketing system in a timely and efficient manner.
• Provide support to laboratory assets including; repairs, onboarding, offboarding, preventative maintenance scheduling and execution in an asset management system.
• Work with functional teams to support service agreement renewals and requests to ensure we purchase and/or maintain fit-for-purpose agreements.
• Quality, Safety, and Sustainability
• Partner with internal stakeholders to embed high-quality standards, safety protocols, and sustainability initiatives into all aspects of laboratory operations.
• Ensure assigned duties align with organizational standards and contribute to maintaining a safe and efficient work environment.
• Process Optimization
• Identify opportunities to standardize and optimize processes within the Laboratory Operations group for increased efficiency and broader alignment with company goals.
• Actively propose and implement improvements that streamline workflows and reduce operational redundancies.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Education/Experience:
• Associate degree is required or 3-4 years of equivalent experience
• Skills:
• Requires routine and strenuous physical activity such as heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling objects or equipment over 50 pounds
• Proven experience in laboratory operations, supply chain management, or a related field.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to engage with diverse internal stakeholders.
• A proactive mindset with a focus on problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with laboratory equipment, safety standards, and sustainability practices is a plus.
• Proficiency in inventory management systems and ticketing tools is preferred.
  
  

Job Applicant Privacy Notice

FOR U.S. CANDIDATES: Please note that we use the resume you submit with your application during our background check process. To ensure an efficient and accurate background verification, we kindly ask that you carefully review and accurately represent your work history, education and other relevant information on your resume. Any discrepancies or inaccuracies found during the background check may impact your candidacy for the position.