Operations Associate I/II

About Profluent

Profluent is an AI-first protein design company. Founded in 2022, we develop deep generative models to design and validate novel, functional proteins to revolutionize biomedicine. Based in Emeryville, CA, we are backed by leading investors including Altimeter Capital, Bezos Expeditions, Spark Capital, Insight Partners, Air Street Capital, AIX Ventures, and Convergent Ventures, and have raised over $150M to date.

We are seeking an energetic, highly organized, and adaptable Operations Associate I/II to serve as the backbone of our office and laboratory environment. This is a dynamic role where you will manage the daily pulse of our workspace while supporting our technical teams in facility expansion and lab maintenance. The ideal candidate thrives in a startup atmosphere - moving seamlessly from coordinating a team social to assisting with lab safety protocols or assembling furniture for the office.

Responsibilities

Primary Operations & Office Management

• Act as the primary stakeholder for reception, greeting and managing all incoming vendors, visitors, and deliveries
• Oversee all shipping/receiving, mail sorting, and courier pickups
• Maintain a high standard for the pantry, fridge, and stationery stock; ensure general kitchen and office cleanliness
• Manage room bookings, food orders for meetings, and desk/office setups for new hires; fulfill other administrative responsibilities assigned as needed
• Assist in planning and executing monthly team activities and quarterly off-site vendor visits
• Lead purchasing for office supplies, IT equipment, and social events

Lab & Facility Support

• Assist the Lab and Operations Manager in setting up new office and lab spaces, including furniture assembly and equipment placement
• Support the wet lab through inventory management, specialized waste management, and routine equipment maintenance
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of safety/emergency protocols; ensure the site remains compliant and safe for all staff
• Act as a buyer for the Bioinformatics, Machine Learning, and Biology teams, managing Purchase Orders (POs) and maintaining current vendor information
• Assist with account reconciliation and maintaining up-to-date vendor records
• Fulfill additional support on projects assigned as needed

Qualifications

• BA or BS or AA/AS +2 years relevant work experience
• Must be able to lift at least 25 lbs
• Previous experience managing Purchase Orders (POs)
• Previous customer service experience or prior public-facing roles
• Exceptional interpersonal communication, excellent customer-facing skills, elite time management, and a high degree of organizational efficiency
• Ability to be adaptable/flexible in the day-to-day

Preferences (but not required)

• BS in STEM
• 1+ years of experience in a wet lab environment
• Familiarity with BSL2 safety standards and hazardous waste protocols
• Proficiency with Rippling, Ramp, Google Drive, and Notion
• Ability to lift 40 lbs
• Desire to learn new skills and initiate and own new tasks or projects

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation package with equity participation
• Comprehensive benefits including health/dental/vision insurance
• Generous PTO policy and commitment to work-life balance
• Professional development opportunities in a cutting-edge field at the intersection of AI and biology

Profluent Bio, Inc is an equal opportunity employer promoting diversity and inclusion in the workspace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, taking or requesting statutorily protected leave, or any other basis protected by law.

Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must have ongoing work authorization in the United States that does not require employer sponsorship. Sponsorship will not be provided now or at any time in the future for this position.

Employment Eligibility Verification

Legal authorization to work in the United States is required. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired must verify their identity and work eligibility and complete the required employment verification form upon hire.

Hiring Salary Range

$80,000 — $100,000 USD