Lab Operations & Procurement Manager

Make 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 Projects
You are the single accountable stakeholder for major equipment procurement.

• Join early-stage project discussions to understand technical requirements
• Quickly grasp unfamiliar technologies and experimental workflows
• Translate scientific needs into structured procurement specifications
• Challenge unclear requirements and sharpen decision criteria
• Ensure no major purchase happens without structured evaluation

You 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 Negotiations

• Run structured RFP or vendor comparison processes
• Evaluate technical proposals together with internal experts
• Negotiate pricing, delivery timelines, payment terms, service agreements, and warranties
• Push vendors on performance guarantees and accountability
• Close contracts in the multi-million euro range

You are comfortable getting on calls with global suppliers and driving hard but fair negotiations.

Make Decisions Under Technical Uncertainty
In a fast-scaling R&D environment, specifications evolve.

• Assess trade-offs between flexibility and cost
• Avoid over-specification that locks capital unnecessarily
• Avoid under-specification that limits future capability
• Evaluate modularity and upgrade paths
• Balance immediate project needs with long-term platform vision

You make decisions that hold up three years from now.

Protect Capital and Runway

• Build cost models for major purchases
• Support CAPEX planning with leadership
• Monitor procurement budgets across parallel projects
• Identify savings opportunities without compromising capability
• Prevent hidden long-term costs in service or consumables contracts

You treat company capital as if it were your own.

Ensure Execution After Signature
Procurement does not end with negotiation.

• Track delivery milestones
• Coordinate installation and acceptance testing
• Ensure vendors deliver according to contract
• Escalate when commitments are not met
• Maintain documentation for compliance and grant reporting

You ensure equipment is operational on time and at spec.

• Proven experience managing complex technical procurement programs
• Experience handling capital 
• Strong contractual negotiation skills
• Ability to quickly understand new technical domains
• Confidence to challenge both vendors and internal stakeholders
• Structured thinking under ambiguity
• Fluent English, additional languages is a plus

Experience in automation, laboratory infrastructure, industrial systems, or engineering-heavy environments is strongly preferred.