Innovation Center Facilities Lead

About this role:

The Innovation Center Facilities Lead oversees all facility operations for a 30,000 square-foot mixed use innovation center/lab in Atlanta Georgia.  This lab includes wet chemistry, fermentation, genetics, product development and application labs.  The role ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant functioning of center’s laboratories, utilities, equipment, infrastructure, shipping/receiving, procurement, safety and site services.  This role also coordinates the site visitors and meeting spaces ensuring engaging, flawless experience for customers and guests. 

The position also provides operation oversight to the building’s office areas supporting environmental controls, workplace experiences, and management of the site receptionist.

Schedule: this role is ONSITE in Atlanta, Monday - Friday.

Accountabilities:

1. Facility Operations

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the 30,000 sq. ft. Innovation Center, including labs and office areas.

• Maintain building systems (HVAC, utilities, gas lines, water systems, emergency equipment).

• Ensure clean, safe, and functional laboratory and office environments.

2. Purchasing & Vendor Management

• Manage all purchasing for facilities, lab infrastructure needs, supplies, and services.

• Coordinate vendors, contractors, and service providers for maintenance and repairs.

• Track budgets for facilities, utilities, and site services.

3. Utilities & Site Services

• Oversee utilities such as boiler, chiller, compressed air, HVAC, water and control systems

• Manage shipping/receiving, loading dock operations, and sample logistics.

• Maintain facility access, security systems, and general site services.

4. Laboratory Support

• Support lab leaders with equipment installs, moves, repairs, and infrastructure needs.

• Ensure labs meet safety, compliance, and operational standards.

• Supports calibration coordination and routine maintenance of lab-related systems.

5. Health, Safety & Environment

• Manage facility-level health, safety, and environmental programs.

• Oversee chemical storage, hazardous waste, contractor safety, and emergency response.

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and internal safety policies.

6. Visitor & Workplace Experience

• Supervise reception/front-desk staff and the visitor process.

• Support customer tours, internal events, and meeting space setup.

• Maintain high standards for cleanliness, organization, and workplace comfort.

7. Continuous Improvement & Planning

• Improve space utilization, lab workflows, sustainability, and preventative maintenance.

• Supports site Capex, including management of site CAPEX budget and individual project management

• Support planning for renovations, upgrades, and long-term site improvements.

• Maintain documentation, SOPs, and facility procedures.

Skills and Experience:

• Education: Bachelors or Masters degree in facilities management, engineering, operational management or laboratory management
• 7+ years of facilities, lab operations, or building services experience in R&D, biotech, chemical, food science, or similar technical environment
• Strong knowledge of laboratory infrastructure (HVAC, compressed air, chillers, boiler, RO/DI water, fume hoods, biosafety, waste systems ect.)
• Experience managing vendors and contractors, including maintenance programs and service contracts.
• Hands-on knowledge of EH&S requirements, including chemical handling, hazardous waste, OSHA standards, and emergency response
• Proven ability to manage purchasing and budgeting for facilities, equipment, and site services. 
• Ability to read and interpret building plans, technical drawings, and equipment specifications
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with th ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Knowledge of capital projects, facility upgrades, and space facilities
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, highly collaborative R&D environment

Tate & Lyle complies with all local/state regulations requiring salary range transparency.

When determining