The Laboratory Services Specialist supports laboratory vendor activities from initial request for proposal through study award and completion. This role will support the company’s overall laboratory strategy and interactions in support of operations and business development activities.  This role also supports the company’s global initiatives such as network laboratory monitoring and accountability.  This position will serve as the primary point of contact for LabConnect vendor laboratories with responsibility to build strategic relationships, oversee performance and support awarded LabConnect projects and business development efforts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Build strategic relationships with key vendor labs. Identify and drive change to improve performance and efficiency.
• Liaise with the Vice President of Laboratory Services and Manager of Laboratory Services on any issues that need to be escalated within LabConnect or the vendor.
• Identify internal process improvements and work closely with all internal stakeholders to execute solutions.
• Meet or exceed all established Service Level Agreements and timelines.
• Track vendor lab MSA expirations dates and drive renewal and execution process.
• Input and maintain vendor information database.
• Support RFP process:
  • Support vendor lab capabilities identification and selection based on available capabilities information and contacting labs to discuss additional capabilities as needed; review protocols to ensure appropriate tests are requested.
  • Request test quotes from vendor labs as needed. Assess quote for viability and negotiate test prices with vendor labs when necessary.
• Support Project Setup Process:
  • Notify partner lab(s) of study award and initiate scope of work (SOW) negotiation.
  • Responsible for vendor lab onboarding for each awarded project.
  • Support internal LC teams in working with vendor lab to ensure timely, efficient setup.
  • Ensure required data is collected to support TIS and OSD completion.
• Support ongoing LabConnect projects:
  • Monitor vendor performance and track issues (including trends).
  • Track KPIs to ensure laboratory performance standards are documented, reviewed, both internally and with the laboratory, during regular governance meetings; maintain service level agreements.
  • Lead vendor lab governance meetings per agreed timelines.
  • Notify vendor labs of study closure and support close-out of project activities.
  • Support invoice escalations and discussions.
• Provide support to Client Services, Data Management, LIS, Finance, and QA related to vendor issues that may arise.
• Serve as a single point of contact for vendors.
• Provide support to BD, Client Services, Proposals and QA regarding vendor capabilities and lab prices re-negotiation.
• Understand GLP documentation and records, scientific and/or operational documents such as SOPs, validation protocols and reports, transfer protocols and reports, and other technical reports/documents.
• Maintain/update project management platforms ex. Salesforce, SharePoint.
• Performs other related duties and tasks as necessary or as assigned.

Education/Experience/Skills Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or related field, required
• 3+ years of bench, central laboratory and/or laboratory vendor management experience required
• Demonstrated client facing experience is preferred
• Strong organization, communication, problem-solving, multi-tasking and interpersonal skills required
• Self starter with the ability to work independently
• Strong computer proficiency in MS Office suite including Word, Excel, and Power Point.

Working Hours/location:

• 100% remote, with the ability to work standard east coast business hours
• Occasional calls outside of business hours will occur, due to the international scope of the business