Lab Supervisor

vwr; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision coverage

Medical coverage starting Day 1

PTO & paid holidays

Choice holidays

FSA and HSA

401(k) retirement plan

Tuition assistance

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Job summary

Avantor’s Advanced Laboratory Services team seeks an experienced operations supervisor in Lexington, MA. You will oversee inventory and material flows, coordinate staffing, and lead a team delivering compliant, high-quality lab support.

Strong Excel, SAP/Workday skills and GMP familiarity are essential. Minimum 5+ years in related roles and 2+ years of supervision enable you to drive continuous improvement, partner with customers and vendors, ensure safety, and develop talent in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• 5+ years in inventory management, lab services, warehouse, logistics, or related operations.
• 2+ years supervisory experience with direct reports.
• Experience in customer-facing or regulated environments.
• Proficiency with inventory systems and Excel.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise daily inventory and material management activities to meet service levels and goals.
• Coordinate staffing, scheduling, task assignments, and workload prioritization.
• Lead meetings, provide direction, and give performance feedback.
• Escalate operational issues and customer requests as primary contact.

Skills

Inventory management

Supervisory experience

Customer-facing

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Lean Six Sigma

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

SAP

Workday

Power BI

Tableau

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Opportunity

In this role, you will report to the Territory Area Manager and will work closely with the Avantor's Advanced Laboratory Services professionals to serve our customers by performing customized, mission-based lab work and research protocols that help return time back to science.

Location: Lexington, MA

Shift: First shift Monday - Friday

Hourly pay range : $80,000 - $90,000 + 5% annual ICP bonus

Benefits

Health & Wellness

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Wellness programs
• Eligible for medical coverage starting Day 1

Time Off

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Company-paid holidays
• Choice holidays

Financial Well-Being

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA)

Commuter benefits

• 401(k) retirement plan
• Tuition assistance
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan discount

What we're looking for

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• 5+ years of experience in inventory management, laboratory services, warehouse, logistics, or related operations.
• 2+ years of supervisory experience with direct reports.
• Experience working in a customer-facing or regulated environment.
• Proficiency with inventory management systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Valid driver's license.

Additional Requirements

• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or GMP-regulated environments.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with SAP, Workday, Power BI, Tableau, or similar systems.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

How you will thrive and create an impact

Avantor's Advanced Laboratory Services team is a crucial part of the Avantor Services group serving over 500 customers in biopharma, pharmaceutical, educational, industrial, and high-tech industries with customizable, flexible solutions and end-to-end laboratory operations support.

Operations & Team Leadership

• Supervise daily inventory and material management activities to ensure service levels and operational goals are achieved.
• Coordinate staffing, scheduling, task assignments, and workload prioritization.
• Lead team meetings and provide direction, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for operational issues and customer requests.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, productivity, and service quality.
• Analyze operational trends and performance metrics to drive improvements.
• Support site-level initiatives focused on operational excellence and standardization.

Customer & Vendor Partnership

• Build strong relationships with customer stakeholders and maintain high levels of service delivery.
• Coordinate activities with vendors and logistics partners to ensure timely and accurate material movement.
• Participate in operational reviews and provide performance reporting.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Promote a culture of safety and ensure compliance with all customer, regulatory, and Avantor requirements.
• Support quality investigations, corrective actions, and continuous compliance initiatives.
• Ensure team training and qualifications remain current.

Talent Development

• Manage employee performance, development plans, and succession planning.
• Participate in recruiting, onboarding, and training activities.
• Foster a collaborative and engaged team environment.

This position is primarily located within a customer facility and may require work within laboratory, warehouse, or operational environments. The role involves frequent standing, walking, and computer use, as well as occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs. Associates must comply with all applicable safety, quality, and facility requirements.

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