Oversees the day-to-day operations of a team of lab operations & support associates at customer facilities, ensuring operational objectives are met through effective supervision and prioritization of tasks. Oversees activities including the management of gas cylinders and liquid tanks, dry ice, and instrument buffers, solvents and liquid nitrogen, and sampling execution in support of quality control workflows. Sets daily goals and reviews team performance to align with broader operational plans and achieve desired results. Identifies opportunities for improvement, makes adjustments to workflows, and recommends enhancements to work methods to increase efficiency and the effectiveness of lab operations & support activities. Focuses on addressing problems and issues within the operational scope of the lab, requiring analysis of data and relevant factors to develop practical solutions. Communicates regularly with internal team members and stakeholders, as well as external contacts such as vendors, to ensure smooth operations, foster collaboration, and address the needs of all parties involved.
CarT - GMP Operations Supervisor
Job Summary
The CarT Operations Supervisor leads a team of associates supporting critical material management and operational services within a highly regulated manufacturing and laboratory environment. The role ensures uninterrupted material availability, GMP compliance, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction across multiple customer locations.
Operating in a fast-paced and continuously evolving environment, the Supervisor is responsible for balancing changing business priorities, maintaining inventory integrity, ensuring workforce readiness, and driving continuous improvement initiatives that support manufacturing continuity and operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
1. People Leadership & Workforce Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of associates across multiple operational areas and customer locations.
- Create a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, accountability, and customer service.
- Ensure adequate staffing levels and workforce flexibility to support changing operational demands.
- Develop cross-training programs to strengthen business continuity and operational resilience.
- Conduct performance reviews, coaching sessions, development discussions, and regular team meetings.
Foster employee engagement and continuous learning.
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2. Material Management & Inventory Control
Critical Responsibility
- Ensure continuous material availability to support manufacturing, laboratory, and operational activities.
- Oversee inventory management processes to maintain inventory accuracy, stock integrity, and material traceability.
- Monitor inventory levels and proactively identify potential supply risks or shortages.
- Drive effective replenishment strategies in alignment with changing business demands.
- Collaborate with customer stakeholders to align inventory strategies with operational requirements.
- Lead initiatives to optimize inventory utilization while minimizing waste and excess stock.
- Ensure accurate inventory transactions and compliance with inventory management procedures.
Support material prioritization and allocation during periods of increased operational demand.
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3. GMP Compliance, Quality & Inspection Readiness
- Ensure all team activities are executed in accordance with GMP requirements, quality standards, and site procedures.
- Maintain a state of inspection readiness through robust procedural compliance and documentation practices.
- Verify that all team members are trained, qualified, and operating within approved procedures.
- Conduct routine compliance observations and quality checks.
- Drive investigation and resolution of deviations related to operational activities when required.
Ensure training records, procedures, and operational documentation remain current and compliant.
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4. Customer & Stakeholder Management
- Serve as the primary operational contact for assigned customer departments and stakeholders.
- Build strong relationships with customer representatives and end users.
- Lead operational review meetings and performance discussions.
- Ensure proactive communication regarding operational risks, service levels, inventory concerns, and improvement initiatives.
- Translate customer requirements into actionable operational plans.
Identify opportunities to expand and improve service delivery.
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5. Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Manage daily operational execution while responding effectively to shifting priorities and business needs.
- Drive process optimization initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, compliance, and customer value.
- Identify and implement cost-saving and productivity improvement opportunities.
- Utilize KPI data and operational metrics to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
- Lead and support operational projects and site initiatives.
Promote a culture of innovation, problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
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6. Safety, Risk Management & Business Continuity
- Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all site safety requirements.
- Ensure proper use of PPE and adherence to safety procedures.
- Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.
- Maintain workforce and operational readiness to support critical business operations.
Develop contingency plans to minimize disruption to customer operations.
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Preferred Experience
Strongly Preferred
- Experience within GMP-regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, advanced therapy, biologics, sterile manufacturing, or life sciences environments.
- Experience supporting material management operations in a highly regulated setting.
- Experience managing inventory critical to manufacturing continuity.
Experience leading teams in fast-paced operational environments with changing priorities.
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Key Competencies
Leadership
- Team development and coaching
- Performance management
- Cross-functional leadership
Inventory & Supply Chain
- Inventory control
- Material flow management
- Supply risk management
- Inventory optimization
GMP & Quality
- GMP compliance
- Documentation management
- Inspection readiness
- Quality mindset
Business & Customer Focus
- Stakeholder management
- Customer relationship management
- Service excellence
Operational Agility
- Prioritization under changing conditions
- Decision making
- Problem solving
Continuous improvement
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Key Success Measures
- Material availability and manufacturing support continuity.
- Inventory accuracy and inventory integrity.
- GMP compliance and inspection readiness.
- Customer satisfaction and stakeholder feedback.
- Team engagement and development.
- Safety performance.
- Operational KPI achievement.
Process improvement and cost optimization results.
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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.
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