At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in sample dispatch operations and ensure top-notch service delivery.
- Company: Join Avantor, a key player in life sciences with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonus scheme, 25 days leave plus your birthday off!
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to advancing life-changing science.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in life sciences while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and experience in logistics or dispatch operations required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
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
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.
Sample Dispatch Team Lead in Watford employer: Avantor
Avantor is an exceptional employer located in Stevenage, UK, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration within the life sciences sector. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, a generous bonus scheme, and ample opportunities for professional growth, all while contributing to impactful scientific advancements that improve lives. With a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Avantor provides a supportive environment where your contributions can truly make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sample Dispatch Team Lead in Watford
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We think you need these skills to ace Sample Dispatch Team Lead in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at Avantor!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show Avantor that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at Avantor!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At Avantor, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Avantor
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Avantor that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
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In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
