The Opportunity:
Sample Dispatch Team Lead
Stevenage, UK (Full-Time, On-Site)
About the Opportunity
We are partnering with a key player in the life sciences sector, offering an excellent opportunity for a Sample Dispatch Team Lead to join a dynamic scientific operations environment in Stevenage.
This is a leadership role focused on team management, operational excellence, compliance, and continuous improvement within sample dispatch services. You will play a critical role in ensuring the successful delivery of services, achieving KPIs, and supporting future growth.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- Bonus scheme
- Pension scheme
- 25 days annual leave + 1 extra day for your birthday
- Opportunity to contribute to a growing, high-impact life sciences service
The Role
As Sample Dispatch Team Lead, you will oversee daily operations of the sample dispatch team, ensuring high-quality, compliant service delivery while driving performance, development, and process improvements.
You will act as a key point of contact for stakeholders, provide leadership to your team, and play an important role in shaping and expanding dispatch services.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management
- Manage, coach, and develop direct reports, including performance management and development planning
- Set clear expectations and provide regular, constructive feedback
- Support team engagement, growth, and capability building
Operations & Service Delivery
- Lead day-to-day sample dispatch operations, managing workload, priorities, and task execution
- Ensure delivery of agreed Scope of Work and achievement of monthly KPIs
- Provide first-line operational support and subject matter expertise
Compliance & Quality
- Ensure all activities comply with GLP, GMP, health & safety, and regulatory requirements
- Maintain a safe, secure, and compliant working environment
- Support audits, inspections, and GEMBA walks
- Oversee handling of regulated materials (e.g. dangerous goods, controlled substances)
Process Improvement & Reporting
- Drive continuous improvement and innovation initiatives
- Analyse operational data, trends, and KPIs to identify opportunities
- Prepare and maintain operational reports, dashboards, and governance materials
- Lead or contribute to improvement projects
Stakeholder & Customer Management
- Act as main point of contact for sample dispatch queries and escalations
- Build strong relationships with internal teams, customers, suppliers, and partners
- Gather and act on customer feedback to improve service delivery
- Collaborate with procurement and stakeholders to identify cost efficiencies
Documentation & Systems
- Maintain compliant documentation including SOPs, risk assessments, and training records
- Ensure accurate use of systems for tracking and reporting
- Support audit readiness and quality frameworks
Specialist Support
- Act as a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA), supporting shipping teams with regulatory guidance and issue resolution
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- Proven experience in sample management, logistics, or dispatch operations within a regulated environment
- Strong leadership or supervisory experience
- Strong understanding of GMP in a scientific environment
- Solid knowledge of service KPIs, metrics, and performance tracking
- Experience with LIMS or similar systems and operational reporting
- Extensive knowledge of IATA and Known Consignor regulations
- Up-to-date training in IATA, ADR, and IMDG
Desirable
- DGSA qualified or working towards
- Experience within the pharmaceutical or life sciences industry
- Knowledge of SHE requirements and managerial responsibilities
- Exposure to continuous improvement methodologies
What We're Looking For
- Strong leadership and people management skills
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Confident communicator with strong stakeholder management skills
- Proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and problem solving
- Customer-focused with a commitment to service excellence
Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity to take on a visible leadership role within a growing life sciences service, where you can directly influence team performance, operational excellence, and future service development.
#LI-Onsite
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.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.
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.
AMRT1_UKTJ
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sample Dispatch Team Lead in Stevenage
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like Avantor and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at Avantor!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
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Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Avantor:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Avantor. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Avantor
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with Avantor.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show Avantor that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at Avantor. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
