Sample Dispatch Team Lead

Avantor Services provides a wide range of laboratory support services designed to help customers save time, reduce operational burden, and increase laboratory productivity. Our teams deliver critical on-site services that enable researchers and scientists to focus on innovation and discovery.

We are currently seeking an experienced Sample Dispatch Service Lead to join our team in Cambridge on a 12-month fixed-term contract.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the day-to-day operational delivery of Sample Dispatch services within a complex research environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring service excellence, regulatory compliance, operational continuity, and continuous improvement, while leading a team of skilled technicians and working closely with customers and stakeholders.

• →Lead the delivery of Sample Dispatch services across the Cambridge sites, including the Discovery Centre and Anne McLaren Building.
• →Directly manage and develop a team, including resource planning, performance management, training, and business continuity.
• →Coordinate and prioritize daily operational activities to ensure efficient service delivery.
• →Act as the primary point of contact and escalation for Sample Dispatch-related queries and issues.
• →Provide operational cover when required and serve as the subject matter expert for Sample Dispatch activities.
• →Maintain and update operational documentation, including work instructions, risk assessments, SOPs, and training records.
• →Produce and manage operational reports, dashboards, and KPI metrics.
• →Prepare and present monthly and quarterly service review materials.
• →Identify opportunities for process improvement and lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean principles.
• →Support audit readiness and participate in regulatory inspections, health and safety audits, and Gemba walks.
• →Collaborate with internal teams, suppliers, and external partners to resolve issues and drive innovation.
• →Ensure the compliant handling, packaging, and shipment of materials with special requirements, including human biological samples, controlled substances, hazardous chemicals, and radioactive materials, in accordance with applicable national and international regulations.
• →Promote a strong culture of health, safety, quality, and compliance.

• Previous people management experience within a Sample Dispatch, logistics, laboratory support, or similar operational environment.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong customer service orientation and collaborative approach.
• Experience with operational reporting, data analysis, and KPI management.
• High attention to detail and commitment to compliance.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Proficiency with IT systems and data management tools.

• Knowledge of shipping regulations and hazardous materials handling.
• Up-to-date IATA, ADR, and IMDG certifications or training.
• Experience working within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, research, or laboratory environments.
• Proven track record in coordinating shipments of chemical and biological materials into the United States, ensuring full compliance with USDA, FDA, CDC, F&W and other applicable regulatory and import control requirements.
• Experience leading process improvement and operational excellence initiatives.

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at recruiting@avantorsciences.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

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By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.