Sample Management Supervisor

Avantor•Cambridge, MA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in life sciences, chemistry, biology or related field ; Associate degree with relevant experience considered
5-7 years of experience in scientific support, laboratory operations, cleanroom, or regulated environments
2-3 years of formal supervisory experience with direct reports and full performance management responsibility
Documented experience leading operational or work method improvement initiatives
Experience with GxP documentation and customer-embedded services
Proficient knowledge of scientific support activities
Intermediate Excel, including pivot tables and data analysis
Proficiency with scheduling, timekeeping, and service tracking systems
Working knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma)
OSHA 30 General Industry
GxP training
Biosafety training (BSL-1 and BSL-2 as applicable)

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in life sciences field preferred; Master's considered a plus
7+ years of scientific support experience
4+ years of formal supervisory experience
Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical device client environments
Prior experience as a scientific coordinator or specialist lead
Power BI, Tableau, or advanced Excel capability
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Experience with Workday, Kronos, or UKG timekeeping systems
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
RCRA Hazardous Waste Generator
First Aid and CPR certification
Advanced biosafety training

Responsibilities

Oversee the day-to-day execution of onsite scientific support objectives at customer facilities
Supervise the team of scientific support associates, ensuring productivity and delivery of high-level scientific support services
Set daily, weekly, and monthly operational priorities aligned to site and account plans
Conduct daily team huddles and regular operations reviews
Monitor real-time performance and adjust resources to maintain service levels
Serve as first-level escalation contact for site operational issues
Actively contribute on the floor when coverage or volume demands require hands-on support
Conduct performance reviews, goal setting, and development conversations on the Avantor HR cycle
Identify and develop high-potential associates; maintain an active advancement pipeline
Deliver regular one-on-one coaching, including real-time feedback and formal conversations
Lead or support hiring for B-band openings within scope
Partner with HR on performance improvement plans, progressive discipline, and complex employee relations
Recognize strong performance formally and informally; nominate for awards and advancement
Set operational priorities for the team based on customer commitments and account plans
Review completed work and provide feedback to accomplish plans and deliver results effectively
Verify GxP documentation accuracy and completeness for team output
Track team productivity, quality, and service level metrics
Communicate progress, gaps, and recovery plans to the Operations Manager
Identify opportunities to refine or enhance work methods
Implement adjustments to improve efficiency and the overall effectiveness of scientific support operations
Pilot workflow changes; document and institutionalize successful improvements
Partner with peer supervisors on cross-site standardization
Track and report improvement outcomes on productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction
Resolve challenges like customer issues within the scope of the services provided
Analyze relevant data and factors to develop informed solutions
Capture, log, and respond to customer feedback within defined service level commitments
Escalate issues exceeding scope with developed root cause analysis and proposed corrective actions
Lead complaint investigation and CAPA implementation in partnership with Quality teams
Facilitate communication with external customers and internal teams
Ensure mutual understanding and engagement across disciplines
Serve as the primary day-to-day relationship holder with the customer site leadership
Lead regular operational reviews with customer stakeholders
Participate in customer audits and regulatory inspections as site operational lead
Encourage a collaborative environment, supporting team members in achieving objectives
Foster alignment with broader scientific support services initiatives
Build cross-functional relationships across scientific support and Lab Ops teams
Champion Avantor values, recognition practices, and inclusive leadership
Support continuous improvement and engagement initiatives
Own site-level safety performance, including incident investigation and CAPA implementation
Conduct documented safety walk-throughs at a defined frequency
Ensure all training certifications are current across the team
Participate in internal Avantor quality audits and client compliance reviews
Lead team engagement in hazard identification and near-miss reporting
Partner with the Operations Manager on staffing plans and schedule design
Review and approve timecards, overtime, and PTO requests within authority
Monitor labor hours, overtime trends, and productivity metrics
Maintain personnel records, training documentation, and performance files
Support new business and expansion activities with site operational input