Laboratory Manager

The Laboratory Manager (Tuesday-Saturday) at Foresight Diagnostics oversees the daily operations of the Laboratory Services function across both clinical and translational research work-streams. Working closely with the Director, Clinical Laboratory Operations and the Laboratory Manager (Monday-Friday), this position is responsible for managing personnel, maintaining and optimizing lab workflows, ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory standards, and fostering a culture of excellence and safety within the laboratory environment. The Laboratory Manager (Tuesday-Saturday) collaborates with cross-functional partners to drive smooth day-to-day operations and high-quality execution of cancer diagnostic testing. A successful candidate will possess a strong blend of technical expertise in NGS workflows, leadership skills, regulatory knowledge, and practical experience in laboratory operations. This is a full-time onsite role in a Tuesday-Saturday work schedule, with occasional flexibility for evening, weekend, or holiday work as operational needs arise. This role reports to the Director, Clinical Laboratory Operations.

• Maintain proficiency in wet-lab techniques and provide training or bench support as needed, while primarily functioning in an oversight and decision-making capacity.

• Ensure appropriate technical coverage, training, and escalation support across shifts. Accountable for meeting turnaround time (TAT), quality, and productivity targets.

• Under delegation from the Laboratory Director, review and release patient reports, ensuring activities are performed in accordance with regulatory and quality standards.

• Proactively monitor laboratory performance metrics, identify risks to quality or turnaround time, and implement corrective and preventive actions as needed.

• Provide leadership and oversight of instrument maintenance programs, troubleshooting workflows, and calibration activities. Ensure appropriate escalation, cross-functional engagement, and documentation for equipment-related issues.

• Collaborate with the Supply Chain team to track inventory, verify shipments, and maintain adequate stock of supplies and reagents. Ensure proper storage, labeling, and reagent lifecycle management to minimize waste and prevent operational disruption.

• Partner with the Director, Clinical Laboratory Operations and laboratory management to implement and maintain efficient workflows, ensuring consistency and adherence with established procedures. Lead identification and execution of process improvements that enhance efficiency, scalability, quality, and cost effectiveness.

• Lead operational readiness and response for contingencies such as equipment downtime, staffing gaps, or workflow interruptions. Oversee root cause investigations, documentation, and implementation of corrective actions following operational incidents.

• Hold direct supervisory responsibility for laboratory personnel, including performance management, engagement, and professional development.

• Establish clear performance expectations and provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and formal evaluations. Address performance concerns proactively and in alignment with HR and organizational policies.

• Under guidance of the Director, Clinical Laboratory Operations, support recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and retention efforts to build a high-performing, collaborative laboratory team.

• Ensure robust training programs are in place and that staff maintain competency across required assays, systems, and regulatory expectations. Oversee training documentation and competency assessment programs.

• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and patient-focused quality. Serve as an accessible leader and escalation point for team concerns and operational challenges.

• Represent the laboratory in cross-functional initiatives and planning discussions. Advocate for operational needs, resource planning, and workflow considerations in broader organizational decisions.

• Coordinate effectively with cross-functional teams such as Operational Excellence, Clinical Operations, Quality Assurance, Bioinformatics, Assay Development, Supply Chain, and Facilities to ensure alignment and smooth execution of shared processes.

• Provide clear, timely communication to internal stakeholders regarding operational status, risks, changes in capacity, or process updates.

• Escalate strategic or high-risk issues to the Director, Clinical Laboratory Operations and Laboratory Director with proposed mitigation strategies.

• Partner with the Laboratory Director and Director, Clinical Laboratory Operations to ensure full compliance with CLIA, CAP, FDA, GxP, and other applicable regulatory and accreditation standards.

• Oversee execution and review of quality control programs, proficiency testing, and quality metrics. Ensure appropriate documentation, trend review, and follow-up actions.

• Lead laboratory inspection readiness efforts and support responses to audits, inspections, and regulatory inquiries.

• Ensure a strong culture of safety and regulatory compliance. Oversee implementation of laboratory safety programs, adherence to OSHA and internal policies, and timely reporting and investigation of safety incidents.

• Bachelor's (BA/BS), Master’s (MA/MS), or PhD/MD in a relevant scientific field such as biology, chemistry, medical technology, laboratory management or a related discipline required.

• Certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS), or equivalent certification, and licensure in California is required.

• Qualified to receive delegation as a General Supervisor in New York and California (combination of education and years of experience in high complexity clinical testing).

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in people leadership roles within laboratory and operations environments.

• Excellent leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills with the demonstrated ability to lead and manage a diverse team of laboratory professionals, influence cross functional teams, and operate as a change champion.

• Proficiency in a wide range of laboratory techniques and procedures relevant to high complexity testing, including molecular biology and next generation sequencing.

• Experience with the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of laboratory instruments and equipment used for high complexity testing.

• Knowledge of quality control principles and practices, including the implementation and interpretation of quality control procedures, proficiency testing, and documentation requirements.

• Understanding of CLIA regulations and guidelines, ISO15189, as well as other relevant regulatory requirements such as FDA regulations, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), and Good Clinical Practices (GCP) requirements.

• Ability to analyze and interpret laboratory data, identify trends or deviations, and take appropriate corrective actions as needed.

• Excellent organizational skills with experience in laboratory workflow optimization.

• Ability to support strategic plans, goals, and objectives for the laboratory, aligning with the organization's mission and objectives.

• Self-starter with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment and deliver projects autonomously.

Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.