How Labs Can Build Resilient Inventory Systems Amid Supply Chain Chaos

Originally published in Lab Manager.

By Sean Izzi, Lead Operations Coordinator, Reference Medicine

What do nitrile gloves, pipette tips, and 10X buffer have in common? If you’ve run a lab in the past five years, you already know: they can vanish overnight.

In today’s turbulent global environment, laboratory operations managers face mounting pressures from all sides. From erratic shipping timelines and supplier shortages to shifting tariff policies, the availability of everyday essentials—gloves, pipettes, reagents—is no longer guaranteed. These disruptions threaten not just operational efficiency, but compliance, research timelines, and patient outcomes.

To stay ahead, labs must elevate inventory management from a background task to a mission-critical strategy. Success means building resilient, real-time systems, forging deeper supplier relationships, and maintaining robust communication both inside and outside the organization. Here’s how labs can take control—starting with a strong operational foundation and expanding into proactive, agile planning.