Sample Dispatch Technician

Avantor; Cambourne; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Private medical and dental care

Birthday day off

Bonus

Job summary

Avantor in Cambridge is seeking a Sample Dispatch Technician for a maternity cover (1 year). This hands-on role focuses on logistics, dispatch coordination, and shipment documentation to ensure samples are shipped safely, on time, and in full compliance with international regulations.

You will receive, pack, and ship biological, chemical, and dangerous goods samples, coordinate domestic and international shipments, prepare customs paperwork, and report KPIs using Excel.

Qualifications

• Secondary education (A-level or equivalent) in a scientific or technical field.
• Experience in logistics, shipping, or operational roles.
• Knowledge of dangerous goods transport regulations is an advantage.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow procedures.
• Good communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and basic reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Receive, prepare, and package samples (biological, chemical, and dangerous goods).
• Coordinate domestic and international shipments via air, road, and sea.
• Prepare shipping documentation, labels, and customs paperwork in line with IATA/ADR/IMDG, CLP (GHS), and REACH requirements.
• Proactively track shipments and resolve transport-related issues.
• Handle shipment-related queries and collaborate with internal teams.
• Manage dispatch materials and inventory.
• Report KPIs and support operational tracking using Excel.
• Support audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Potential to deliver shipments between Cambridge sites using company vehicles.

Skills

Logistics experience

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Excel

Documentation

Collaboration

Education

Secondary education (A-level or equivalent)

Tools

Excel

Job description

Location: Cambridge, GBR
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00-16:00
Contract Type: Fixed-term (Maternity Cover), Full-time

The Opportunity

Executes day-to-day inventory & material management tasks at customer facilities, following a varied set of procedures. Tasks include the management and processing (storage, handling, inventory control and distribution) of critical materials used in laboratory and production environments, such as consumables, chemicals, solvents and reagents. Problems and issues are typically less concrete and frequently changing, like unexpected shortages of critical consumables due to supplier delays, differences between recorded inventory levels and actual stock, requiring an investigation into miscounts, misplaced items, or data entry errors, or expired chemicals or reagents that were not properly rotated, leading to waste and requiring adjustments to storage protocols. Problems and issues are solved by applying experience from comparable situations in the past and/or selecting solutions within known alternatives. Communicates inventory related information, activity records, service level metrics and other information requiring explanation or interpretation to team members, supervisors or customers.

About the Role

Avantor is looking for a Sample Dispatch Technician to support the global shipment of R&D samples from our Cambridge site. This is a hands-on, operational role focused on logistics, dispatch coordination, and shipment documentation.

The position does not involve scientific research or experimentation, but plays a critical role in ensuring that samples are shipped safely, on time, and in full compliance with international regulations.

This is a temporary position covering maternity leave (1 year), offering an excellent opportunity to gain experience in a global operational environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive, prepare, and package samples (biological, chemical, and dangerous goods)
• Coordinate domestic and international shipments via air, road, and sea
• Prepare shipping documentation, labels, and customs paperwork in line with IATA / ADR / IMDG, CLP (GHS), and REACH requirements
• Proactively track shipments and resolve transport-related issues
• Handle shipment-related queries and collaborate with internal teams
• Manage dispatch materials and inventory
• Report KPIs and support operational tracking using Excel
• Support audits and continuous improvement initiatives
• Potential to deliver shipments between Cambridge sites using company vehicles

What We’re Looking For

• Secondary education (A-level or equivalent), preferably in a scientific or technical field
• Experience in logistics, shipping, or operational roles
• Knowledge of dangerous goods transport regulations is an advantage
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow procedures
• Good communication skills and a collaborative mindset
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and basic reporting tools

What We Offer

• Work at a state-of-the-art biomedical facility in Cambridge
• Competitive salary plus bonus
• Pension scheme
• Private medical and dental care
• An extra day off for your birthday
• Stable, long-term employment with global operational impact

#LI-Onsite

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.

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.