Facilities and Maintenance Manager

About Debut

Debut is the unconventional innovation lab spearheading the next generation of big business. Only Debut has a scalable, integrated, climate-positive creation model powered by biotechnology that puts human wellbeing at the center of everything we do—setting the new standard for profitable business and a new pace for an ever-changing world.  Our hybrid biotechnology approaches unlock latent markets, providing access to sustainably produced, natural ingredients with health benefits that cannot be obtained through other methods. We are committed to traversing the entire process, from ingredient discovery to the scaling of these products, for consumer markets. If you are passionate, enjoy fast-paced innovation and collaborative teams, then Debut is for you.  

Facilities and Maintenance Manager

Summary

As our Facilities and Maintenance Manager, you will perform facility and laboratory maintenance and safety training, support shipping / receiving operations, and act as the EHS point of contact. Your duties will include purchasing supplies, inspecting, and performing preventative and corrective maintenance while maintaining accurate maintenance records. This role requires working with outside vendors, keeping an inventory of reagents and supplies, governing the waste management program, and guiding lab personnel in research safety training. 

Essential Functions

• Organizes, prioritizes and executes preventive maintenance initiatives to minimize downtime and extend equipment life, adhering to safety and compliance standards.
• Develops, implements, and manages the organization and inventory of equipment, spare parts, and preventive maintenance schedules using a CMMS (working knowledge of MaintainX is a plus)
• Ordering, shipping/receiving and maintenance of supplies, labware, and instruments essential to the operation of the lab
• Managing all lab-related calibration, preventative maintenance, repairs, service contract renewal, and equipment upgrades
• Independently monitors critical utility systems, including DI water supply, electrical infrastructure, and HVAC, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
• Establish relationships with external vendors
• Plan and coordinate large-scale facility changes, including lab reorganizations and/or expansion
• Anticipate, troubleshoot, and resolve problems associated with work within the laboratory setting, including occasional off-hours responses to laboratory emergencies
• Function as EHS point of contact for inspections and waste handling services.

Education and Experience

• BS or MS degree with 5+ years’ experience in a biotechnology setting 
• The ideal candidate will have wet lab experience and a broad knowledge of standard lab and facility equipment (plumbing, electrical, HVAC)
• Has proven experience in laboratory housekeeping procedures, including maintaining inventory and equipment, ordering supplies, and maintaining a clean and safe laboratory environment 
• Experience in maintenance and rebuilding of valves, mechanical seals, pumps, boilers, chillers, compressors, fermenters, and similar equipment and machinery is preferred
• Knowledge of EH&S regulations and requirements for laboratory safety, including methods for handling, cleaning, and disposal of waste 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and customer service to effectively deal with a diverse workforce 

Essential Physical Characteristics

The physical characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis. 

• Continuous upward and downward flexion of the neck. 
• Frequent: sitting, repetitive use of hands to operate computers, printers and copiers. 
• Frequently uses hands to feel objects or control tools (e.g. pipetting).  Laboratory operations require dexterity and care to perform studies as required.
• Frequent: walking, standing, climbing stairs, bending and twisting of neck, bending and twisting of waist, squatting, simple grasping, reaching above and below shoulder level, and occasional lifting and carrying of files or material weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must be willing to work with biohazardous agents (up to BSL2).
• The R&D laboratory will result in exposure to hot and cold temperatures, noise, fumes, limited dust, and oily coolants.
• The performance of this position will present exposure to an industrial environment and requires support and compliance with the published Company PPE policy including but not limited to the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields, appropriate attire, safety shoes, hard hat, hearing protection, etc.

Condition of Employment

As part of Debut’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check prior to beginning employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position.

Debut is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

Salary: $80,000 - $120,000