Head of Logistics
About Plasmidsaurus
Plasmidsaurus is on a mission to accelerate new cures and promote a healthier planet by unlocking a new level of productivity for scientists. Our sequencing services are used daily by thousands of innovators, including Nobel laureates, Fortune 100 pharma, and over 70,000 scientists.
We began by revolutionizing plasmid sequencing, making it exponentially cheaper and faster, with innovative sequencing technologies and a global network of laboratories that turn samples into answers in hours, not weeks.
Now we are expanding that same disruptive model across all of genomics. With the launch of our new RNA-seq service, we are taking a bold step toward our vision to sequence everything, providing scientists everywhere with faster, simpler, and more affordable access to the data that powers discovery.
Every team member at Plasmidsaurus plays a crucial role in driving the future of biotech research. Together, we are building the world’s most efficient sequencing engine that operates overnight, scales globally, and helps scientists make breakthroughs faster than ever before.
Role Overview
Plasmidsaurus scientists move fast, logistics can't be the reason they wait. Every order we run starts as a sample shipped to one of our labs: dropped into one of thousands of drop boxes around the world, and routed into labs across the US, Europe, and Asia. Logistics is part of our core product, not a support function. It drives turnaround time, customer experience, lab capacity, cost, and how fast we can enter new markets.
This isn't traditional logistics. There are no pallets or warehouses to manage. Instead, thousands of small, time-sensitive biological samples move from customers to our labs every week, many crossing borders and clearing customs on the way. Orchestrating that network across continents, at the speed our scientists expect, is a challenge without an off-the-shelf answer.
We’re hiring our first Head of Logistics to keep our network fast as we grow into new products, new countries and adopt new technology. Reporting to the VP of Operations, you'll own the whole network: courier and carrier partners, first-mile pickup and drop boxes, customs and compliance, and the data and team that power it. New regions and outbound distribution are next, and logistics is central to each.
This is a builder's seat: real scope, real ownership, from day one. The foundations and are strong, but we’re looking to invest in someone with vision to keep us ahead of the game. You'll design systems, challenge how things get done, and define what great logistics looks like at a company scaling fast.
What You'll Do
Build and lead a highly efficient logistics organization that supports Plasmidsaurus's unique business and growing, global operations.
Network Design & Expansion
Architect and evolve the global logistics function behind thousands of drop boxes and inbound customer shipments, across regions, time zones, and regulatory environments
Own the roadmap for our courier and carrier network: pilot new partners and combinations, driving down cost and transit time across first-mile and international shipping
Engineer logistics systems that cut delays and costs for moving biological materials, and scale with every new launch
Stand up logistics for new regions and services, from carrier selection to customs pathways
Compliance & Resilience
Own global compliance across import/export, customs, and material handling, and build redundancy and contingency playbooks into the network so disruptions don't reach our customers
Data & Visibility
Set the vision for how logistics data connects with the rest of the company, with dedicated software engineers ready to build it: tracking, dashboards, and KPIs that give the company real-time visibility into shipments and turnaround times
Turn shipment data into early warnings and new opportunities
Team & Cross-Functional Partnership
Lead, develop, and mentor the logistics team, and design how it grows
Embed logistics in launch planning, partnering with lab operations, engineering, sales and marketing, product, customer success, and finance to forecast demand and open new markets
What Success Looks Like
90 Days
You own day-to-day logistics and the team. You've mapped our courier network, customs pathways, and turnaround times end to end, shipped your first improvements, and you’re ready with initial plans developed to address the multiple expansion and growth opportunities you anticipate over the next year. Lab operations, customer success, and other partners treat you as their go-to for logistics.
6 Months
Turn around times, pickup times, and network reach are measurably improved driven by changes you've made. Real-time dashboards track every shipment, and compliance processes give the team fast, confident answers on any shipping lane. The team is stepping into bigger roles with a hiring plan mapped to our growth. Every market and product launch has logistics built in from the start.
1 Year
Logistics is a competitive advantage for Plasmidsaurus. Turnaround times and cost per shipment have improved, and the network absorbs disruptions without customers noticing. Your logisitics strategy and strong execution has supported expansion into new regions and helped launch multiple new services, and a repeatable playbook makes each next expansion faster.
What You'll Bring
Proven track record of building and scaling in an environment where logistics was a critical function, ideally at a high-growth startup
0-to-1 builder experience. You've built logistics operations, not just run what someone else built
7+ years in operations, logistics, or supply chain, with hands-on international shipping experience
Inventive problem solver. You've cracked complex operations problems with approaches no one handed you
Working knowledge of customs, import/export, and compliance frameworks (e.g., IATA, DOT, or similar)
Fluent in data. You've built dashboards, tracking systems, and KPI frameworks
People leadership: hiring, developing, and managing a team through growth and change
Launching logistics in multiple countries or new regions a plus
Regulated or complex shipping experience (cold chain, medical, hazmat, biological samples, or returns programs) a plus
Biotech or life sciences experience a plus, not a requirement
Remote-friendly with some travel to our lab locations and logistics hot spots. Preferred hubs: San Francisco, San Diego, or Los Angeles, CA; Eugene, OR; Seattle, WA; Louisville, KY; Boston, MA
Ways of Working
Build: When there’s a better way of doing things or a system, SOP, or compliance framework doesn't exist, you create it rather than waiting for someone else to.
Own: The network, compliance, and team are yours to make excellent, not just maintain. You're a player-coach: hands-on while growing the team.
Move: Turnaround time is what our customers feel. You operate with urgency without letting speed compromise quality.
Participate: Launches, forecasts, and expansion plans need logistics in the room early. You speak up, share ideas, and bring others into the conversation.
Inspire: You raise the bar for the team around you and give them projects that stretch their skills.
We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't perfectly align with the job description as we seek out diverse and creative perspectives. Team members who love to learn and collaborate in an inclusive environment will thrive with us. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you need additional accommodations to feel comfortable during your interview process, please let us know at careers@plasmidsaurus.com.