Role: Supervisor, Laboratory IT Systems

Location: Piscataway, NJ

Job Summary:

The Lab IT Supervisor oversees the administration and maintenance of laboratory information systems, including LIMS, Water's Empower, and other lab instruments and software. This supervisory role involves evaluating lab infrastructure, proposing upgrades, managing IT staff or contractors supporting lab systems, and ensuring systems are compliant with regulatory standards. The Lab IT Supervisor plays a key role in implementing new digital solutions, supporting lab operations, troubleshooting technical issues, and driving continuous improvement in lab IT processes.

Essential Functions:

Supervision & Leadership:

Supervise and guide IT staff or contractors supporting laboratory systems and infrastructure.

Coordinate with lab personnel and IT teams to ensure smooth operation and availability of lab systems.

Lead efforts to implement best practices in lab IT support and system management.

System Administration & Support:

Oversee the administration and management of LIMS, Water's Empower, and other laboratory systems.

Provide technical support and supervise the troubleshooting of lab instruments and systems, ensuring timely resolution of issues.

Ensure that all lab systems are regularly updated, patched, and compliant with security standards.

Periodic review of Lab SOP's to ensure best practices are followed.

LIMS Implementation & Empower Upgrade:

Oversee the configuration, maintenance, and customization of LIMS platform across all Labs.

Ensure Empower and other lab systems are properly integrated into lab workflows, providing support for any technical issues.

Collaborate with lab personnel to ensure systems meet operational requirements.

Integration & Data Management:

Ensure proper integration of lab systems (e.g., LIMS, Empower) with other enterprise platforms (ERP, MES, SCADA).

Oversee the extraction of data from laboratory systems (LIMS, Empower, etc.) for further analysis and reporting.

Ensure that data is processed and analyzed efficiently to meet the lab's quality and regulatory standards.

Supervise data management processes, ensuring proper storage, access, and organization of data from lab instruments.

Ensures Disaster Recovery(DR) and Business Continuity plans (BCP) are in place.

Lab System evaluation & Upgrades:

Lead the evaluation of lab IT infrastructure and software, identifying areas for improvement and proposing upgrade plans.

Develop strategic recommendations for system enhancements or new solutions to improve lab efficiency and compliance.

Regulatory Compliance & Validation:

Ensure all lab IT systems comply with regulatory standards (e.g., FDA, GMP, GLP).

Lead or support validation efforts, ensuring documentation, testing, and qualification of systems in regulated environments.

Work closely with QA and regulatory teams to maintain compliance and audit readiness.

User Training & Documentation:

Supervise the training of lab personnel on the use of LIMS, Empower, and other lab systems.

Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for system usage, workflows, and standard operating procedures.

Continuous Improvement:

Identify opportunities for process improvement through automation and system optimization.

Stay updated on advancements in lab IT technologies, proposing relevant upgrades or enhancements to existing systems.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in information technology, Computer Science, or a related field.

• Relevant certifications in laboratory systems or IT management are a plus.

Experience:

• 8+ years of experience in IT systems administration, preferably within pharmaceutical laboratory environment.

• Experience of managing and configuring LIMS (Caliber, Labware, ThermoFisher) and supporting Water's Empower system.

• Familiarity with the operation and support of lab instruments and their associated software.

Skills & Competencies:

• Leadership and supervisory experience in an IT environment.

• Strong technical expertise in LIMS and Water's Empower system administration.

• Ability to assess lab infrastructure and recommend appropriate upgrades or improvements.

• Knowledge of regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., FDA, GMP, GLP).

• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to train and support lab personnel.

• Knowledge of lab automation and data management best practices.

• Experience with system validation in a regulated environment