Strategic Customer & Supplier Communications Lead

Avantor; New Jersey; On-site; USD 122,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a Sr. Manager, Customer & Supplier Communications to define and execute audience-specific communications strategy across multiple regions and business segments, strengthening stakeholder engagement and supporting sales growth through traditional and digital channels.

You will lead strategy development, messaging consistency, channel governance, and measurement, reporting to the Head of VWR Communications, with accountability for outcomes across regions and stakeholder groups,

Qualifications

• 8+ years of communications, journalism, corporate communications, or related agency experience with a successful track record defining and executing communications strategy, programs, and campaigns across regional or multi‑segment audiences
• Experience working in matrix organizations with exposure to business operations, senior stakeholder management, and cross‑regional collaboration
• Experience and comfort in a buildingmode, navigating complexity and ambiguity.
• Ability to work across in a variety of capacities, flexing where appropriate
• Position requires a 360‑degree strategic communications perspective, business acumen, understanding of relevant corporate functions, audience‑specific insight, and a focus on measurable performance.
• Strong ability to build productive relationships, influence senior leaders, and lead through interactions with stakeholders across functions, business segments, and regions.
• Good understanding of change management practices, change communications techniques, communications governance, and operating frameworks.
• Proven track record of strong writing, editing, presentation and speaking skills required
• Experience working with life science, technology or science‑related company is preferred
• Global or multi‑region communications experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Advise and support senior leaders on audience-specific communications strategy, strategic messaging, channels, delivery approach, and execution of key initiatives across multiple regions
• Develop and implement communications strategies, plans, governance, and cadence aligned to business objectives for the assigned audience, business segments, and regional stakeholder groups
• Drive the strategic narrative using best practices, audience insights, and the right communications channels to reach targeted associate, customer, supplier, or commercial stakeholder segments and facilitate leadership engagement as needed
• Ensure consistency and continuity of messaging, standards, approvals, and program support across the assigned audience and key stakeholders
• Optimize and maintain communications platforms, tools, and operating frameworks to advance new ways to tell the organization's story, strengthen engagement, and support culture or commercial change within the assigned scope
• Align outreach with strategic business and functional goals, lead the evolution or expansion of existing communications programs, and shape communications direction beyond day‑to‑day program execution
• Drive two‑way dialogue and engagement to amplify key messages and understanding of our brand
• Plan, manage, and communicate change, transformation, culture, or commercial initiatives in a fast‑changing, highly dynamic environment with measurable communications impact
• Align with Corporate External and Internal Communication strategies, policies, standards, and tactics that effectively communicate Avantor’s culture, vision, and goals in support of growth initiatives
• Provide proactive counsel to key internal stakeholders on communications strategies and programs that advance commercial, customer, supplier, associate, or business objectives within the assigned audience scope
• Collaborate with functional team members, corporate and business communications partners, and regional stakeholders to develop integrated programming as needed
• Define, drive, and refine KPIs, metrics, and reporting mechanisms to measure communications outcomes, assess program performance, and enable continuous improvement
• Support issues/crisis communications as needed
• Oversee agency partners when appropriate
• Lead and ensure appropriate communications processes, governance, and approval standards are followed, including final approvals from subject matter experts, project owners, compliance, and legal partners
• Measure, track, and analyze overall program effectiveness to determine ROI, prioritize resources, and improve communications outcomes across the assigned audience and regional scope
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Communications experience

Stakeholder management

Job description

Avantor is seeking a Sr. Manager, Customer & Supplier Communications to define and execute audience-specific communications strategy across multiple regions and business segments, strengthening stakeholder engagement and supporting sales growth through traditional and digital channels.

You will lead strategy development, messaging consistency, channel governance, and measurement, reporting to the Head of VWR Communications, with accountability for outcomes across regions and stakeholder groups,