Fully Onsite VMI Technician - Bay Area
vwr · South San Francisco, California, United States
The Opportunity:
In this role, you will report to the Area Operations Manager and will work closely with the Avantor’s Lab and Production Services professionals to serve our customers by performing customized, mission-based lab work and research protocols that help return time back to science.
Location: Will be traveling to sites primarily in South San Francisco, secondarily in Union City (East Bay)
Hourly Range: $23 - $30
Shift: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm
Benefits:
- Health and Wellness: Medical, Dental, Vision and Wellness programs (eligible for medical coverage on day 1)
- Time Off: Paid Time Off (PTO), Company-paid holidays, Choice holidays etc.
- Financial Well-Being: Spending Accounts: Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), commuter benefits, 401(k), tuition assistance, employee stock purchase plan discount
- Added Protection Coverage: To include critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident, legal, identity theft protection, pet, auto and home insurance
- Recognition: Celebrate your peers and earn points to redeem on gifts and products
What we’re looking for
- Education: High School Diploma or GED required; Associate or bachelor's degree in supply chain management, logistics, chemistry, or a related field
- Experience: 3+ years of experience in inventory management, material handling, warehouse operations, or supply chain in a laboratory, pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated environment
- Collaboration Tool: Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data filtering) and Outlook
- Valid driver's license and reliable form of transportation are needed to perform job essentials
- Proficient use of ERP systems (SAP MM, Oracle or equivalent) for inventory transactions, reporting and data management
- Experience with barcode scanning, warehouse management systems and handheld data collection devices
- Working knowledge of chemical storage, segregation, compatibility and SDS reference procedures
- cGMP, GLP or ISO-regulated inventory or material management role with direct experience handling chemicals, solvents and reagents
- Advanced SAP MM or Oracle inventory module proficiency including item master maintenance
- Experience with Lean Six Sigma tools (5S, value stream mapping, root cause analysis)
- Knowledge of hazardous materials shipping and receiving regulations
- Experience with cold chain logistics including cryogenic material handling
- Familiarity with CAPA processes and quality management system requirements
- Forklift and powered industrial truck operator certification
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow or Green Belt
How you will thrive and create an impact
Avantor’s Lab and Production Services team is a crucial part of the Avantor Services group serving over 500 customers in biopharma, pharmaceutical, educational, industrial, and high-tech industries with customizable, flexible solutions and end-to-end laboratory operations support.
In this role you will:
Inventory Control and Variance Investigation
- Conduct and lead cycle counting activities across assigned stockrooms and storage areas
- Investigate inventory discrepancies by tracing transactions, verifying physical locations and identifying root causes
- Analyze patterns in variances to determine whether issues stem from miscounts, misplaced items, data entry errors or process gaps
- Recommend and implement corrective actions for recurring variance issues including process adjustments and retraining
- Reconcile system records with physical stock and resolve differences within established timelines
- Prepare variance reports with root cause analysis and corrective action summaries for supervisors and customers
- Support internal and customer-led inventory audits by preparing documentation and escorting auditors
Critical Material Management
- Manage the storage, handling, inventory control and distribution of consumables, chemicals, solvents and reagents
- Monitor shelf life, expiration dates and lot traceability for all date-sensitive and regulated materials
- Apply chemical compatibility and segregation principles when organizing storage locations
- Adjust storage protocols when expired, degraded or improperly stored materials are identified
- Coordinate with customer quality and EHS teams on material disposition decisions for non-conforming items
- Maintain accurate SDS files and verify that all stored chemicals have current safety documentation
- Track controlled substances and restricted materials per site-specific regulatory requirements where applicable
Receiving, Processing and Distribution
- Receive, inspect and process complex or high-value shipments including hazardous materials and controlled items
- Verify received goods against purchase orders, packing lists and quality specifications
- Manage receipt of temperature-sensitive shipments including cold chain validation and documentation
- Prioritize distribution of critical materials to ensure laboratory and production operations are not interrupted
- Process urgent and ad hoc material requests, applying judgment to balance competing priorities
- Oversee outbound shipments of hazardous materials ensuring government and carrier compliance
Supplier Issue Resolution
- Investigate and document supplier-related problems including late deliveries, short shipments, quality defects and substitution errors
- Communicate with supplier representatives to resolve open issues and obtain credits, replacements or corrective commitments
- Escalate chronic supplier performance issues to the Coordinator or Supervisor with documented evidence
- Identify alternative sourcing options when primary suppliers fail to meet delivery or quality requirements
- Track and report supplier performance metrics including on-time delivery, fill rate and quality acceptance rate
- Support vendor qualification and periodic review activities as requested by the customer or VWR management
Safety, Compliance and Quality
- Enforce chemical storage, handling and labelling compliance per government and site-specific regulations
- Conduct periodic safety inspections of stockrooms, storage areas and material handling equipment
- Lead or support investigation of safety incidents, near-misses and spills related to inventory operations
- Ensure GMP and GLP compliance in material handling, documentation and storage activities where applicable
- Participate in CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) activities related to inventory or material management findings
- Maintain training records and verify that all team members have current required certifications
- Serve as a safety resource for across bands Associates, reinforcing proper PPE use and hazard awareness
System Management and Data Integrity
- Execute complex inventory transactions including transfers, adjustments, reclassifications and write-offs in the ERP system
- Identify and correct data integrity issues such as duplicate records, incorrect unit conversions or mislinked lot numbers
- Generate and analyze inventory reports including aging, slow-moving stock, expiration and usage trend analyses
- Troubleshoot intermediate system issues and coordinate with IT support for escalated problems
- Configure and maintain barcode labels, bin locations and item master data within established guidelines
- Support system upgrades, patches and testing activities as needed
Customer Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
- Communicate inventory-related information, activity records, service level metrics and operational data to customers
- Provide information requiring explanation or interpretation, including variance findings and corrective action plans
- Participate in customer operational meetings, presenting inventory performance data and improvement initiatives
- Respond to customer inquiries about material availability, lead times and sourcing alternatives
- Build and maintain productive working relationships with customer laboratory, procuremen