Supervisor, Laboratory Support Services

The Opportunity:

Location: Leiden Full-Time | 40 Hours per Week About the Role

 

We are seeking an experienced and people-focused Supervisor, Laboratory Support Services to lead a team supporting critical laboratory operations within a highly regulated pharmaceutical environment.

This role is ideal for a proven leader who thrives in fast-paced operational settings, enjoys developing teams, and can balance strong compliance standards with a collaborative and supportive leadership style.

 

What You'll Do

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and motivate a team of laboratory support associates.

• Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing team culture.

• Support employee growth through training, mentoring, and development initiatives.

• Conduct performance reviews, workforce planning, vacation scheduling, and other supervisory responsibilities.

• Manage team performance and address employee relations matters effectively and professionally.

 

Operations & Customer Support

• Oversee daily laboratory support activities, including:

• Equipment cleaning and preparation

• Preventive maintenance coordination

• Autoclave operations

• Sample management activities

• Shipment receipt and handling

• Biowaste management

• Chemical and laboratory support tasks

• Ensure customer requirements outlined in Statements of Work (SOWs) are delivered on time and to the highest standard.

• Act as a key liaison between customers, operational teams, and internal stakeholders.

• Monitor operational metrics, service levels, and customer reporting requirements.

 

Compliance & Quality

• Maintain compliance with SOPs, SOWs, safety procedures, and customer requirements.

• Ensure Good Documentation Practices (GDP) and GxP standards are consistently followed.

• Support the development and maintenance of SOPs, KPIs, SPIs, and operational documentation.

• Promote a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

 

What We're Looking For

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Previous experience managing and developing teams.

• Strong coaching, conflict resolution, and employee engagement skills.

• Ability to perform effectively in a highly regulated environment.

• Strong organizational, planning, and time management skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

• Customer-focused mindset with the ability to build strong stakeholder relationships.

• Ability to remain calm, resilient, and solution-oriented in challenging situations.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a scientific, technical, or business-related field.

• Experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CRO, laboratory, or regulated manufacturing environments.

• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and operations, including autoclaves.

• Understanding of GMP, GLP, GxP, or similar quality systems.

• Dutch language skills are advantageous.

 

Additional Desirable Experience

• Inventory, purchasing, customer service, account management, or laboratory operations experience.

• Knowledge of ERP systems and Microsoft Office applications.

• Training in areas such as safety, hazardous materials handling, or logistics is considered an advantage.

 

Physical Requirements

This role is primarily office and laboratory based within a professional working environment.

Occasional physical activity may include:

• Walking throughout customer and laboratory facilities.

• Standing for extended periods as required.

• Bending, reaching, and handling materials.

• Occasionally lifting or carrying items up to approximately 23 kg (50 lbs).

 

Why Join Us?

This is an excellent opportunity for a strong people leader who enjoys building successful teams within a dynamic pharmaceutical environment. You'll have the opportunity to make a direct impact on team culture, operational performance, and customer satisfaction while developing your leadership career within a global organization.

 

We Offer:

• 1 year contract, that will be extended after a positive evaluation.

• Competitive salary with nice fringe benefits such as a 13th month and bonus plan.

• The good amount of holidays and flexible working hours allow you to maintain a convenient work-life balance.

#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.com and 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.

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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.