New

Sample Management Supervisor

Avantor
$80,000-$90,000, with eligibility for a 5% annual ICP bonus
flexible benefit account, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, 401(k), retirement plan
United States, Massachusetts, Cambridge
May 07, 2026
The Opportunity: 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. Location: Cambridge, MA Shift: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM-4:00 PM Salary range: $80,000-$90,000, with eligibility for a 5% annual ICP bonus 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 QUALIFICATIONS Required Education: Bachelor's degree in life sciences, chemistry, biology or related field required; Associate degree with relevant experience considered Experience: 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 Technical Skills: 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) Certifications and Licenses: OSHA 30 General Industry required GxP training required Biosafety training (BSL-1 and BSL-2 as applicable) Preferred Education: Bachelor's degree in life sciences field preferred; Master's considered a plus Experience: 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 Technical Skills: Power BI, Tableau, or advanced Excel capability Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Experience with Workday, Kronos, or UKG timekeeping systems Certifications and Licenses: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt RCRA Hazardous Waste Generator First Aid and CPR certification Advanced biosafety training MAJOR JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Listed in order of importance.) Site Team Leadership and Daily Operations 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 Performance Management and Team Development 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 Operational Priority Setting and Work Review 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 Work Method Improvement 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 Customer Issue Resolution 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 Communication and Stakeholder Engagement 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 Collaborative Environment Leadership 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 Safety, Quality, and Compliance Oversight 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 Workforce Planning and Administrative Support 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 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! Pay Transparency: The expected pre-tax pay for this position is $69,000.00 - $110,975.00 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 recruiting@avantorsciences.comand 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. Privacy Policy: We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role. Your privacy is important to us. Please click here for our Privacy Policy which explains the purposes for which we will use your personal information and the ways in which we will handle and retain your information. It also explains the rights you have in relation to your information, and how to contact us with any queries or requests. 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.