Job Description Facility Manager
Company: California Cultured
Location: West Sacramento, CA
Status: Full-Time, Exempt - Could be part time to start
Position Overview
California Cultured is a pioneering food technology startup dedicated to producing sustainable, cell-cultured ingredients. We are seeking a highly motivated, versatile, and hands-on Facility Manager to serve as the operational backbone of our West Sacramento facility. This critical role is responsible for ensuring our pilot scale-up, lab, and office environments run safely, securely, and with maximum efficiency.
The ideal candidate is a dedicated, proactive problem-solver and a "jack-of-all-trades" who is eager to tackle whatever challenges arise in a high-growth startup environment. You are highly resourceful and handy enough to directly troubleshoot and fix minor facility and equipment issues yourself. From managing critical HVAC infrastructure and municipal permitting to acting as the main point of contact for external technical vendors, municipal inspectors, and site services, this role is essential to maintaining uninterrupted operations and scientific discovery.
Key Responsibilities
Facilities Maintenance, Safety, & Systems Upkeep
● General & Hands-on Maintenance: Oversee and execute routine day-to-day building maintenance, repairs, and workspace upkeep. Leverage a strong practical skillset to directly repair "the little things" around the facility, minimizing the need for external contractors.
● HVAC Management: Proactively manage and maintain the building’s HVAC systems, with particular focus on preemptively troubleshooting and resolving the seasonal performance issues that typically arise during peak temperature periods.
● Permitting & Municipal Compliance: Own and drive facility-related permitting processes. Act as the primary liaison with local municipal agencies (e.g., City of West Sacramento) to finalize regulatory requirements. (generator compliance & verifying catalytic converter)
● Emergency & Security Systems: Manage and oversee the facility's security and alarm systems, serving as a primary point of contact for system alerts, access management, and troubleshooting.
● External Inspections: Represent the company and act as the host and main point of contact for external municipal officials, including local Fire Department personnel during routine or specialized building inspections.
● Pest Control & Janitorial Oversight: Manage facility-wide pest control protocols and coordinate with janitorial services to ensure high standards of cleanliness and hygiene across office, lab, pilot, and production areas.
Vendor & Technical Equipment Coordination
● Vendor Relations: Serve as the primary point of contact for all facilities-related contractors, utility representatives, and equipment rental vendors.
● Specialized Equipment Support: Coordinate the delivery, setup, and maintenance of leased or rented operational hardware (e.g., rented air compressors, incubated shakers, and lab utility equipment).
● Emergency Response: Serve as a key responder for utility, building, or environmental systems alerts to minimize downtime for critical R&D operations.
Startup Adaptability & Collaborative Support
● Ad-Hoc Support: Provide a dedicated, dependable, and flexible set of hands to assist the laboratory, engineering, and operations teams with physical setups, equipment moves, and miscellaneous tasks as they arise.
● Resourcefulness: Maintain a highly flexible, solutions-oriented approach to support the rapid pace of a scaling biotechnology startup.
Qualifications
● Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required; technical certifications in HVAC, facility management, electrical systems, or relevant trades are highly preferred.
● Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of progressive experience in facilities management, commercial building maintenance, or as a commercial handyman. Experience working within a laboratory, pilot plant, or biotechnology startup environment is strongly preferred.
● Permitting Knowledge: Familiarity with municipal permitting procedures, emissions standards, and local agency coordination (ideally with the City of West Sacramento or similar Northern California jurisdictions).
● Technical Skills: Strong mechanical aptitude with hands-on troubleshooting and DIY repair capabilities across basic electrical, plumbing, pneumatic, and HVAC systems.
Preferred Skills (The "Startup Fit")
● An exceptionally proactive, "can-do" attitude with a willingness to assist with diverse, unpredicted tasks to keep the team successful.
● Strong organizational and communication skills, with a track record of successfully managing third-party contractors, inspectors, and service technicians.
● Ability to work independently and manage multiple competing priorities under tight timelines.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
