Supervisor II, Onsite Lab Operations Support

Avantor; Eigenbrakel; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a hands-on Supervisor II, Onsite Lab Operations Support to lead daily lab support activities within a pharmaceutical client environment. You will coordinate teams, optimize workflows, and ensure quality, safety, and compliance.

This role requires strong leadership, cross-functional communication, and the ability to manage inventories, samples, and service levels while partnering with lab managers, scientists, and external vendors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in team management / people leadership.
• Experience in a laboratory, pharmaceutical, or regulated environment is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and develop a team on-site.
• Set clear daily and weekly priorities aligned with client needs.
• Monitor performance, provide feedback, and conduct reviews.
• Oversee daily lab support activities: order/inventory, sample handling, waste management.
• Define and report KPIs: SLA adherence, on-time completion, inventory accuracy.
• Drive continuous improvement and ensure HSE compliance.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Customer focus

Proactive

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Opportunity

The Supervisor II, Onsite Lab Operations Support is responsible for leading and coordinating daily lab support operations within a pharmaceutical client environment. This role ensures high-quality service delivery aligned with operational objectives, client expectations, and safety and compliance standards.

The Supervisor II, Onsite Lab Operations Support is responsible for leading and coordinating daily lab support operations within a pharmaceutical client environment. This role ensures high-quality service delivery aligned with operational objectives, client expectations, and safety and compliance standards.

Acting as a key on-site leader and primary point of contact, the Supervisor drives team performance, optimizes workflows, and ensures seamless collaboration between laboratory stakeholders, operations teams, and external partners.

• Team Leadership & People Management
• Lead, supervise, and develop a team of associates on-site
• Set clear daily and weekly priorities aligned with operational and client needs
• Monitor performance, provide regular feedback, and conduct performance reviews
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team culture
• Coach team members to enhance skills, engagement, and service mindset
• Ensure proper onboarding, training, and continuous development of team members
• Client Relationship & Service Management
• Act as the primary point of contact for internal customers (lab managers, scientists, end users)
• Proactively manage client needs and ensure high levels of satisfaction
• Lead regular service meetings and operational reviews with stakeholders
• Ensure clear communication, alignment of priorities, and expectation management
• Act as the interface between the client and internal Avantor support functions (HR, commercial, operations)
• Operational Management
• Oversee daily lab support activities, including:
• Order and inventory management
• Sample handling and logistics
• Gas cylinders, liquid tanks, and liquid nitrogen management
• Dry ice, solvents, buffers, and consumables handling
• Glassware washing and lab support services
• Waste management processes
• Ensure timely, accurate, and efficient execution of all operational tasks
• Plan and coordinate activities based on customer priorities and operational demand
• Map and organize workflows to maximize efficiency and service quality
• Maintain a hands-on approach, stepping in to support operations when needed and not hesitating to roll up sleeves to ensure service continuity
• Performance Management & KPIs
• Define, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs), such as:
• Service level adherence (SLA compliance)
• On-time task completion rate
• Inventory accuracy and stock availability
• Order processing lead times
• Customer satisfaction (VOC, feedback)
• Incident and deviation rates
• Near misses and misses
• Conduct regular performance reviews and track progress against targets
• Use data analysis to identify trends, gaps, and improvement opportunities
• Implement corrective actions and continuous performance improvements
• Do Gemba walks regularly
• Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving
• Identify inefficiencies and drive process optimization initiatives
• Analyze operational issues and implement practical, sustainable solutions
• Improve workflows, resource allocation, and service delivery models
• Promote a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the team
• Compliance, HSE & Quality
• Ensure adherence to site HSE policies and safe working practices
• Maintain a compliant work environment in line with client and regulatory expectations
• Support audits and inspections; ensure readiness at all times
• Contribute to deviation management and corrective/preventive actions (CAPA) when required
• Ensure proper implementation and use of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field or equivalent experience
• Minimum 3 years of experience in team management / people leadership
• Experience in a laboratory, pharmaceutical, or regulated environment is strongly preferred
• Previous experience in onsite support operations or lab services preferred

Skills & Competencies: Leadership & Behavioral

• Strong leadership and team management capabilities
• Coaching mindset with ability to develop people
• Customer-focused with a strong service orientation
• Proactive, structured, and solution-oriented
• High level of accountability and ownership
• Flexible and adaptable in a dynamic environment

Technical & Functional

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Experience with operational performance tracking and reporting
• Knowledge of HSE practices in a lab environment
• Working knowledge of GxP / compliance frameworks (awareness level)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.)

Languages

• Fluent in French and English (written and spoken)

Profile

We are looking for a hands-on operational leader with strong people management skills and a customer-centric mindset. The ideal candidate combines structure, leadership, and adaptability to manage complex on-site lab support operations while driving performance, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.

The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.

We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

EEO Statement

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 [e-mail] 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.