Lab Operations & Procurement Manager

Skip to main contentEnglishEnglishBack to all jobsLab Operations & Procurement ManagerBerlinFull-timePermanent employeeApply for this jobYour missionMake ambitious science possible by running an exceptional lab operation Dunia is building AI for one of the hardest unsolved problems in science: turning materials discovery from an academic, trial-and-error process into a programmable, scalable discipline. At Dunia, the lab is not just a workspace. It is a production system where experiments, automation, and AI-driven discovery intersect. When lab operations work well, discovery accelerates. When they don’t, everything slows down. As Lab Operations & Procurement Manager, you are responsible for turning the lab into an engine for discovery; one that runs smoothly, scales reliably, and accelerates the work of everyone who depends on it. You own the systems, processes, and details that allow scientists and automation to operate without friction. Your work determines whether experiments start on time, whether data is trustworthy, and whether the lab scales gracefully or painfully. Your tasks will include: Act as Procurement Owner Across ProjectsYou are the single accountable stakeholder for major equipment procurement.Join early-stage project discussions to understand technical requirementsQuickly grasp unfamiliar technologies and experimental workflowsTranslate scientific needs into structured procurement specificationsChallenge unclear requirements and sharpen decision criteriaEnsure no major purchase happens without structured evaluationYou may not be the domain expert, but you learn fast enough to ask the right questions and make informed technical and commercial decisions.Lead Multi-Million Equipment NegotiationsRun structured RFP or vendor comparison processesEvaluate technical proposals together with internal expertsNegotiate pricing, delivery timelines, payment terms, service agreements, and warrantiesPush vendors on performance guarantees and accountabilityClose contracts in the multi-million euro rangeYou are comfortable getting on calls with global suppliers and driving hard but fair negotiations.Make Decisions Under Technical UncertaintyIn a fast-scaling R&D environment, specifications evolve.Assess trade-offs between flexibility and costAvoid over-specification that locks capital unnecessarilyAvoid under-specification that limits future capabilityEvaluate modularity and upgrade pathsBalance immediate project needs with long-term platform visionYou make decisions that hold up three years from now.Protect Capital and RunwayBuild cost models for major purchasesSupport CAPEX planning with leadershipMonitor procurement budgets across parallel projectsIdentify savings opportunities without compromising capabilityPrevent hidden long-term costs in service or consumables contractsYou treat company capital as if it were your own.Ensure Execution After SignatureProcurement does not end with negotiation.Track delivery milestonesCoordinate installation and acceptance testingEnsure vendors deliver according to contractEscalate when commitments are not metMaintain documentation for compliance and grant reportingYou ensure equipment is operational on time and at spec.Your profileProven experience managing complex technical procurement programsExperience handling capital Strong contractual negotiation skillsAbility to quickly understand new technical domainsConfidence to challenge both vendors and internal stakeholdersStructured thinking under ambiguityFluent English, additional languages is a plusExperience in automation, laboratory infrastructure, industrial systems, or engineering-heavy environments is strongly preferred.About usDunia, meaning “world” in over 20 languages, reflects our focus on building technologies that deliver abundance globally. By combining physics, AI, and automation, we accelerate materials discovery for next-generation energy and industrial systems. Our work helps make energy more accessible and materials more...