Site Operations Manager – VMI Services (M/F/D)

Avantor; Watford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading supplier in life sciences is seeking a Site Operations Manager to oversee Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) services at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. You will lead a team and ensure operational efficiency while maintaining compliance with GMP standards. The position offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including a pension scheme and private medical care.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Private medical and dental care

Pension scheme

Additional day off for birthday

Qualifications

• Experience in GMP-regulated environments and operational management.
• Strong leadership and customer service focus.
• Knowledge of SHE requirements and GMP regulations.
• Excellent communication, planning, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and other IT systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of VMI services.
• Act as primary liaison between Avantor and stakeholders.
• Manage and mentor team of Stock Management Operatives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with GMP and quality standards.

Skills

GMP knowledge

Leadership

Customer service

Project management

Continuous improvement mindset

Analytical skills

Microsoft Excel

UK driving licence

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

Overview

The Opportunity: Avantor is looking for a Site Operations Manager – VMI Services, to join our team based in Elstree, UK. In this position, you’ll lead the operational management of our Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) services at a key customer site and take responsibility for leading a team of three. This is a full-time, permanent position based at a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Elstree. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including a pension scheme, private medical and dental care, and an additional day off for your birthday.

Site address: Dagger Ln, Elstree, Radlett, Borehamwood WD6 3BX

Working hours: Monday to Friday, core hours

The Team

You’ll lead a close-knit, supportive team of three Stock Management Operatives who manage inventory across the site. The team works collaboratively to ensure materials are available, compliant, and efficiently distributed to meet operational needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operations of Avantor’s Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) services, ensuring service excellence, compliance, and operational efficiency
• Act as the primary liaison between Avantor and key stakeholders, delivering regular performance updates and presenting operational data in business review meetings
• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of three Stock Management Operatives, including conducting 1:1s, performance reviews, and supporting professional growth
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities for process optimisation, cost savings, and service innovation
• Ensure full compliance with GMP, health & safety, and quality standards, maintaining accurate documentation and training records across all on-site activities

What we’re looking for

• Experience in GMP-regulated environments and operational management
• Strong leadership and customer service focus, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels
• Knowledge of SHE requirements, GMP regulations, and audit processes
• Project management and Lean Six Sigma experience, with a continuous improvement mindset
• Excellent communication, planning, and analytical skills, including the ability to present operational data and performance metrics in stakeholder meetings
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and other IT systems
• A valid UK driving licence

Why Avantor?

How you’ll thrive and create an impact 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 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. Apply today!

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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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. 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.