Sample Dispatch Team Lead

Avantor; Papworth St. Agnes; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a Sample Dispatch Team Lead on a 12-month fixed-term contract in Cambridge. You will lead day-to-day operational delivery of Sample Dispatch services within a complex research environment, ensuring compliance, continuity, and service excellence while guiding a skilled technician team and coordinating with customers and stakeholders.

The role requires strong leadership, regulatory awareness, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

People management

Sample Dispatch

Logistics operations

Regulatory/compliance

Team coaching

Stakeholder management

Operational reporting

Lean continuous improvement

Job description

< h3>The Opportunity:

Sample Dispatch Team Lead (12-MonthemporaryContract)

Location:

Cambridge,UK

Join Our Team

AvantorServicesprovidesawideaewordoflabouringsupporcesservicesdesirendesrownresbetsofrefocusinovationaandownacreebreryouCelebrcmdnoforeascenthiuee

We are currently seeking an experienced

Sample Dispatch Team 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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

What We're Looking For

Essential Requirements

• 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.

Desirable Experience

• 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.

What we offer

• Opportunity to lead a critical operational service within a dynamic scientific environment.
• Exposure to a wide range of stakeholders and strategic projects.
• A collaborative and supportive team culture.
• The chance to make a measurable impact through service excellence 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

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.