R&D Operations Manager
Prismaticpowders, White City, OR, United States
Position Summary
NIC is 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 NIC
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'll 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 We're Looking For
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.
All work is done on site.
Must be authorized to work in the United States and meet applicable export-control requirements, including qualification as a U.S. Person.
Perfered Qualifications
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.
We understand that outstanding candidates may not check all boxes, so applicants are encouraged to apply if they believe they can succeed in this role.
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NIC is 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 NIC
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'll 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 We're Looking For
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.
All work is done on site.
Must be authorized to work in the United States and meet applicable export-control requirements, including qualification as a U.S. Person.
Perfered Qualifications
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.
We understand that outstanding candidates may not check all boxes, so applicants are encouraged to apply if they believe they can succeed in this role.
#J-18808-Ljbffr