Documented experience leading operational improvement initiatives
Experience in a client-embedded services or regulated facility environment
Collaboration Tool: Microsoft Teams experience
Documented experience leading operational improvement initiatives
Experience in a client-embedded services or regulated facility environment
Proficiency with inventory management systems (SAP, Workday, LIMS, or equivalent) including reporting and analytics modules
Intermediate Excel skills including pivot tables, lookup functions and basic data analysis
Ability to analyze operational data and communicate findings to non-technical audiences
Working knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma)
Preferred
Advanced Excel, Power BI or Tableau experience
Formal Lean or Six Sigma Green Belt training
Experience with Workday, Kronos/UKG or equivalent HRIS/timekeeping systems
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated manufacturing client environments
Managing vendor relationships and coordinating third-party logistics
How you will thrive and create an impact
Avantor’s Lab and Production 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.
In this role you will
Site Operations Leadership
Own day-to-day operational delivery for the assigned site or functional scope, including scheduling, task prioritization, and exception management
Set and communicate daily, weekly and monthly operational goals aligned to site and account-level plans
Monitor real-time operational dashboards; reallocate resources proactively to maintain service levels
Lead daily huddles and weekly operations reviews with the team and client contacts
Serve as the escalation point of contact for operational issues during assigned shift and on-call periods
Coordinate cross-functional responses to high-priority or high-impact customer requests
Workflow Design & Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce non-value-added steps, and improve service quality
Design and pilot workflow changes within authority; document and institutionalize successful improvements
Recommend broader enhancements requiring Operations Manager or client approval, with supporting data and business case
Lead or participate in site-level continuous improvement projects using structured problem-solving methods
Partner with peer supervisors across the account to standardize effective practices
Track and report improvement outcomes on productivity, quality, and client satisfaction metrics
Operational Problem Solving & Analysis
Analyze operational data including service level reports, cycle count variances, and customer feedback to identify trends and root causes
Develop and implement practical solutions for operational issues within scope of authority
Escalate issues requiring broader intervention with fully developed root-cause analysis and proposed corrective actions
Partner with Quality and Compliance teams on CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) activities
Facilitate structured problem-solving sessions with the team (5-Why, Fishbone, or similar)
Performance Management & Talent Development
Conduct performance reviews, goal setting, and development conversations for all direct reports on the Avantor HR cycle
Identify and develop high-potential associates; maintain an active advancement pipeline for peer-level and roles
Design and deliver team-level development activities including cross-training plans and skill-building exercises
Lead or support hiring activities for associate and specialist roles; participate in interview panels for peer supervisor openings
Partner with HR on complex employee relations matters, performance improvement plans, and progressive discipline
Recognize strong performance formally and informally; nominate team members for awards and advancement
Vendor & External Partner Coordination
Serve as the site-level point of contact for key vendors and third-party logistics partners
Coordinate inbound delivery schedules, resolve shipment exceptions, and manage vendor performance issues within scope
Participate in vendor performance reviews alongside the Operations Manager and Procurement
Ensure vendor activities on-site comply with client access, safety and quality protocols
Escalate vendor performance concerns to the Operations Manager with supporting documentation
Client Relationship Management
Serve as a primary day-to-day relationship holder with client lab management and site leadership
Lead regular operational reviews with client stakeholders, presenting service level performance and improvement initiatives
Capture, log and respond to client feedback, service requests and complaints within defined SLAs
Support account-level business reviews alongside the Operations Manager with analysis and site-specific insights
Participate in client audits and regulatory inspections as the site operational lead
Safety, Quality & Compliance Oversight
Own site-level safety performance for the assigned team; lead incident investigation and CAPA implementation
Conduct regular documented safety walk-throughs and partner with client safety teams on joint audits
Ensure all training certifications are current across the team; prevent assignment of work to associates with lapsed qualifications
Lead team engagement in hazard identification and near-miss reporting
Participate in internal Avantor quality audits and client-led compliance reviews
Workforce Planning & Budget Support
Partner with the Operations Manager on site-level workforce planning, including headcount forecasting and schedule design
Review and approve timecards, overtime, and PTO requests within approved budget parameters
Monitor labor hours, overtime trends, and productivity metrics; flag variances with recommended actions
Support preparation of site-level operating budget inputs and contribute to account-level financial reviews
Manage small discretionary spend (team supplies, minor equipment) within delegated authority
Administrative & Reporting
Compile and deliver weekly and monthly site operational reports for internal and client leadership
Maintain accurate personnel records, training documentation and performance files in coordination with HR
Document and maintain site SOPs, work instructions and training materials
Support new business proposals and site expansion activities with operational input as requested
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. 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 recruiting@avantorsciences.com 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.
