Administrative Support Specialist

vwr; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor is hiring an Administrative Support Specialist to provide advanced administrative and operational support in a regulated manufacturing environment. The role requires knowledge of manufacturing processes, documentation controls, training compliance, and continuous improvement practices.

The position follows a Monday–Friday schedule (8:00 AM–4:30 PM) with potential weekend work. Ideal candidates have 2+ years of related experience, familiarity with GDP, and proficiency in Excel.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Experience: 2+ years in administrative, manufacturing operations, production support, or related experience in a manufacturing environment (preferred).
• Experience with training compliance tracking, documentation control, change management, and production support activities strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create, maintain, and update tracking logs and reports to support change management activities.
• Identify process gaps and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Track Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs) through completion and maintain status reporting.
• Maintain accurate records and filing systems for all PSSR-related documentation.
• Support Manufacturing Managers by tracking employee training requirements associated with PSM regulations and site-specific training programs.
• Maintain accurate training records to support regulatory compliance, employee safety, and GDP.
• Generate training compliance reports and metrics for management review.
• Coordinate and communicate weekly updates on incident investigations, CAPAs, and EHS task due dates.

Skills

Typing 45 WPM

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Organization

Critical thinking

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SAP

Job description

The Opportunity:

The Administrative Support Specialist is a seasoned individual contributor responsible for delivering advanced administrative and operational support in a regulated manufacturing environment. This role requires comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing processes, documentation controls, training compliance, production support activities, and continuous improvement practices.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, with the possibility of weekend work.

What we're looking for

• Education : High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Experience : 2+ years of administrative, manufacturing operations, production support, or related experience in a manufacturing environment (preferred).
• Experience supporting regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, chemicals, or food manufacturing preferred.
• Experience with training compliance tracking, documentation control, change management, and production support activities strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of manufacturing administrative processes, documentation systems, and operational workflows.
• Strong understanding of Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and regulated manufacturing environments.
• SAP Knowledge is a plus.
• Comfortable with standard 10-key data entry.
• Must type 45 WPM.
• Working knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM), changing control processes, and compliance requirements.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including tracking, analysis, reporting, and spreadsheet management.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Initiative-taking, organizational, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to identify process improvement opportunities and implement practical solutions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information appropriately.
• High diligence and commitment to data accuracy.

How you will thrive and create an impact

• Create, maintain, and update tracking logs and reports to support change management activities.
• Identify process gaps and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Track Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs) through completion and maintain status reporting.
• Maintain accurate records and filing systems for all PSSR-related documentation.
• Support Manufacturing Managers by tracking employee training requirements associated with Process Safety Management (PSM) regulations and site-specific training programs.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date training records to support regulatory compliance, employee safety, and Good Documentation Practices (GDP).
• Generate training compliance reports and metrics for management review.
• Coordinate and communicate weekly updates on incident investigations, corrective and preventive actions (CAPAs), and EHS task due dates.
• Monitor and track action item completion, escalating overdue items as appropriate.
• Prepare manufacturing documentation and production paperwork required for manufacturing builds.
• Maintain accurate production error logs and support investigations of recurring issues.
• Perform inventory transactions, including the Good Release of finished product to inventory.
• Ensure documentation and transactions are completed in compliance with GDP and applicable quality requirements.
• Assist in the investigation of quality non-conformances and manufacturing deviations within assigned production areas.
• Complete assigned corrective and preventive actions in a timely and effective manner.

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.

Pay Transparency:

The expected pre-tax pay for this position is

$45,500.00 - $73,025.00 Actual pay may differ depending on relevant f