Sample Dispatch Technician

Avantor; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus

Pension scheme

Private medical & dental care

Birthday day off

Global exposure

Job summary

Avantor in Cambridge is seeking a Sample Dispatch Technician to support global shipment of R&D samples from our Cambridge site. This temporary, hands-on role focuses on logistics, dispatch coordination, and shipment documentation, ensuring on-time, compliant deliveries.

It is a maternity cover for 1 year with a clear path to learn in a global operational environment. The role requires attention to detail, experience in logistics/shipping, and proficiency in Excel.

Qualifications

• 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

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

Shipping experience

Dangerous goods regulations knowledge

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Excel

Education

Secondary education (A-level or equivalent)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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.

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. Cambridge, UK | The Discovery Centre – Bio‑Medical Campus Monday–Friday | 8:00–16:00 Fixed-term (Maternity Cover) | Full‑time 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

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. Privacy Policy We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role. Your privacy is important to us. Please click here for our Privacy Policy which explains the purposes for which we will use your personal information and the ways in which we will handle and retain your information. It also explains the rights you have in relation to your information, and how to contact us with any queries or requests. 3rd Party Non-Solicitation Policy 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.