Loading Dock Technician

Avantor; Lexington (MA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

PTO

Company holidays

401(k)

Tuition assistance

Employee stock purchase plan

Commuter benefits

FSA/HSA

Bonus eligibility

Job summary

Avantor in Lexington, MA is seeking a Shipping & Receiving associate to support inventory management, material handling, and distribution of laboratory materials. You will receive, inspect, and process inbound shipments, record transactions, and ensure accurate labeling and lot tracking in our systems.

Ideal candidates have a high school diploma, forklift/pallet jack experience, and familiarity with shipping processes in regulated environments.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree preferred.
• Experience in sample logistics, shipping/receiving, warehousing, or supply chain.
• Knowledge of domestic and international shipping processes and documentation.
• Experience operating forklifts and/or pallet jacks.

Responsibilities

• Receive, inspect, and process inbound shipments and verify accuracy.
• Record receiving transactions and apply labeling, lot numbers, and identifiers.
• Maintain inventory records, perform cycle counts, and track expiry dates.
• Pick, pack, and distribute materials to laboratories and production areas.
• Ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and proper documentation.

Skills

Shipment coordination

Inventory management

Regulatory awareness

Documentation accuracy

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in Supply Chain/Logistics or related field

Tools

Forklift operation

Pallet jack operation

Inventory software basics

Job description

The Opportunity:

In this role, you will report to the Area Manager and work closely with Avantor's Advanced Laboratory Services professionals to support customer operations through inventory management, material handling, shipping and receiving, and distribution activities. You will play a key role in ensuring critical laboratory, production, and research materials are received, stored, tracked, and delivered accurately and efficiently.

Location & Schedule:

Location: Lexington, MA
Shift: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM - Monday - Friday
Hourly Pay Range: $22.00 - $24.03

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

Education

• High school diploma or GED required
• Associate degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field preferred

Required Experience

• Previous experience in sample logistics, laboratory operations, shipping and receiving, warehousing, or supply chain environments.
• Experience coordinating shipment activities and supporting logistics operations.
• Experience working within a loading dock or warehouse setting.
• Knowledge of domestic and international shipping processes and documentation.
• Experience operating forklifts and/or pallet jacks.

Preferred Experience

• Hands‑on experience handling regulated, hazardous, or Dangerous Goods materials.
• Experience working in GMP, GLP, GxP, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, laboratory, or other regulated environments.
• Familiarity with global shipping, import/export documentation, customs requirements, and compliance regulations.
• Experience supporting audits, inspections, CAPAs, or regulatory compliance programs.
• Experience in laboratory sample management or controlled material handling.

Technical Skills

• Working knowledge of Dangerous Goods regulations, including: IATA, ADR, and IMDG
• Understanding of Known Consignor requirements.
• Knowledge of GMP, GLP, and GxP standards.
• Familiarity with warehouse, inventory, materials management, and distribution processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and logistics-related systems.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma principles is a plus.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced operational environment.

How You Will Thrive and Create an Impact

Shipping, Receiving & Inspection

• Receive, inspect, and process inbound shipments.
• Verify shipments for damage, shortages, quantity discrepancies, and documentation accuracy.
• Record receiving transactions within inventory management systems.
• Apply labels, lot numbers, and inventory identifiers as required.
• Coordinate returns, refused shipments, and discrepancy reporting.

Inventory Management

• Maintain accurate inventory records and process inventory transactions.
• Perform cycle counts and inventory reconciliations.
• Monitor stock levels and communicate inventory shortages or concerns.
• Track lot numbers, expiration dates, and date-sensitive materials.
• Identify and segregate damaged, expired, or nonconforming materials.

Storage & Material Handling

• Store materials in designated locations following safety and storage requirements.
• Follow FIFO and FEFO inventory rotation practices.
• Handle laboratory consumables, chemicals, solvents, reagents, and production materials in accordance with site procedures.
• Operate pallet jacks, carts, and other approved material handling equipment.
• Maintain organized stockrooms, storage areas, and loading dock spaces.

Material Distribution & Customer Support

• Pick, pack, and distribute materials to laboratories, production areas, and operational teams.
• Ensure timely delivery of routine and critical materials.
• Communicate order status, inventory availability, and delivery updates to customers.
• Respond to routine inventory and material requests while escalating complex issues as needed.

Safety, Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Follow all site safety procedures, PPE requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
• Support GMP, GLP, GxP, and quality compliance requirements where applicable.
• Report safety concerns, incidents, spills, or storage issues promptly.
• Participate in inventory audits, process reviews, and continuous improvement activities.
• Maintain accurate activity records, service metrics, and operational documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a shipping, warehouse, and loading dock environment.
• Ability to lift, move, and transport materials in accordance with safety guidelines.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and perform material handling activities for extended periods.
• Ability to safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and related equipment as required.

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.

Avantor®, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education & government, and advanced technologies & applied materials industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. One of our greatest strengths comes from having a global infrastructure that is strategically located to support the needs of our customers. Our global footprint enables us to serve more than 225,000 customer locations and gives us extensive access to research laboratories and scientists in more than 180 countries. We set science in motion to create a better world.

Pay Transparency: The expected pre-tax pay for this position is $39,000.00 - $62,675.00. Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

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. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

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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, 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.