Material Handler

Avantor•Boston, MA

19d

About The Position

The Material Handler supports daily receiving, storage, inventory control, and material issuance activities at customer facilities, including laboratory, production, warehouse, and classified clean-room environments. The role handles critical materials such as consumables, chemicals, solvents, reagents, raw materials, and components, following cGMP requirements, applicable procedures, and good documentation practices. The position reports to the Territory Area Manager and works closely with Avantor Advanced Laboratory Services professionals and customer teams to meet material needs. The role includes receiving, labeling, storing, issuing, picking, staging, replenishing, and distributing materials; maintaining vendor-managed inventory; conducting cycle counts and inventory reconciliations; investigating discrepancies; and executing real-time transactions in Oracle and related warehouse systems. The Material Handler also supports clean-room and cold-chain activities, including disinfecting materials before transfer, ensuring GMP cleaners have supplies and PPE, operating in cold rooms, transferring LN2 dewars, supporting controlled-rate freezers, and preparing cold-chain shipments. The role operates warehouse equipment and helps maintain inspection-ready storage areas, follow SOPs and safety regulations, address customer inquiries, and identify process improvements. Location: Boston, Massachusetts. Schedule: Monday through Friday, first shift. Hourly pay range: $27–$29. The posting also lists an expected annual pre-tax pay range of $49,000–$79,350; actual pay may vary based on factors such as experience and geographic location.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 1 year of experience working within a cGMP supply chain environment and/or with GMP regulations.
Proficient use of ERP systems such as SAP MM, Oracle, or equivalent for inventory transactions, reporting, and data management.
Experience with barcode scanning, warehouse management systems, and handheld data collection devices.
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and data filtering, and proficiency with Outlook.
Working knowledge of chemical storage, segregation, compatibility, and SDS reference procedures.
Understanding of FIFO, FEFO, lot tracking, and expiration management principles.
Familiarity with cycle-counting methodologies, variance investigation, and root cause analysis.
Must complete Avantor onboarding, safety, and inventory specialist certification within 90 days.
Ability to perform the physical activities listed, including standing and walking for extended periods; bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, kneeling, balancing, pushing and pulling; repetitive grasping and manipulation with both hands; and lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 50 pounds with or without assistance.
Ability to use basic warehouse equipment such as a pallet jack.
Ability to work in customer laboratory or warehouse environments and in cold rooms with appropriate PPE.

Nice To Haves

Experience in inventory management, material handling, warehouse operations, or supply chain in a laboratory, pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated environment.

Responsibilities

Support daily receiving, storage, and material issuance activities at customer facilities.
Manage and process critical materials—including consumables, chemicals, solvents, and reagents—for laboratory and production environments.
Perform and document daily warehouse operations in a cGMP environment, maintaining attention to detail and following written procedures and good documentation practices.
Gown into classified clean-room environments to perform inventory and replenishment activities.
Investigate discrepancies, resolve inventory variances, address supplier-related issues, and adjust storage protocols as needed.
Work with manufacturing staff, Planning, Procurement, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and Materials Management staff to ensure material needs are met.
Maintain vendor-managed inventory in designated areas, including stock procurement, kanban management, and stock rotation.
Disinfect materials before transfer into classified areas.
Receive, label, store, and issue raw materials and components in accordance with cGMP guidance and applicable procedures.
Perform cycle counts and participate in inventory reconciliation efforts.
Pick materials from manual requests or ERP-generated move orders and stage kits for manufacturing activities.
Handle raw materials, cleaning reagents, gowning supplies, and consumables, including sanitizing items transferred into cleanrooms.
Ensure required materials and PPE are available for GMP cleaners before the end of the shift.
Keep warehouse and cleanroom storage areas inspection- and audit-ready.
Execute real-time transactions in Oracle ERP and related warehouse management systems.
Maintain accurate inventory and communicate inventory discrepancies.
Participate in customer operational meetings and present inventory performance data and improvement initiatives.
Respond to customer inquiries about material availability, lead times, and sourcing alternatives.
Ensure compliance with and execution of SOPs related to GMP warehouse operations.
Ensure materials are shipped at correct temperatures and handled appropriately.
Safely operate motorized equipment, including forklift trucks, electric pallet jacks, lifts, and company vehicles.
Remain current on DOT and Hazmat regulations.
Work in 2–8°C and -20°C cold rooms using appropriate PPE.
Support transfer of LN2 dewars and operation of controlled-rate freezers for drug product storage.
Perform cold-chain pack-outs for drug product shipments.
Identify inefficiencies in inventory control, storage management, and distribution workflows.
Propose and implement improvements using Lean principles and root cause analysis techniques.
Promptly escalate service delivery concerns or customer relationship issues to the Lead or Supervisor.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage, with eligibility for medical coverage starting Day 1.
Wellness programs.
Paid time off.
Company-paid holidays and choice holidays.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA).
Commuter benefits.
401(k) retirement plan.
Tuition assistance.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan discount.
Learning experiences to support career growth and success.