Sample and Logistics Technician III - Team Lead

The Sample and Logistics Technician III - Team Lead is a key contributor ensuring the compliant, accurate, and efficient management of client and research samples that support pharmaceutical drug discovery. This role oversees sample intake, tracking, preparation, processing, and shipment activities, serves as a technical lead for laboratory systems and automation workflows, and coordinates sample management across operational teams. The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise, exceptional attention to detail, and proven problem-solving skills to deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced, client-focused environment.
Here's what you'll do:
Sample, receiving, handling and preparation:
Own end-to-end receipt, registration, chain-of-custody documentation, tracking, storage, and disposition of samples, supplies, and research materials, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely availability.
Lead the intake, inventory control, categorization, preparation, and distribution of large or complex compound libraries, coordinating priorities and resources to support strategic customer programs.
Direct and performs complex sample preparation for analysis, including weighing, solvent-volume calculations, solubilization, aliquoting, serial dilution, precision pipetting and dispensing, labeling, assay plate preparation, and use of laboratory automation.
Evaluate and prioritize routine and customized sample-processing requests, defines execution requirements, and ensures delivery in alignment with study needs and client timelines.
Review and apply laboratory calculations, including molarity, dilutions, concentration conversions, and basic statistical analyses, to support accurate and reproducible execution.
Own inventory readiness for buffers, reagents, media, semi-finished and finished goods, and other sample-preparation supplies; establishes controls, anticipates demand, and resolves shortages.
Shipping and Logistics:
Lead preparation, packaging, and shipment of samples, supplies, and products, ensuring traceability, service reliability, and compliance with applicable IATA and DOT requirements.
Own coordination with couriers and internal stakeholders for domestic and international shipments, including required documentation, import/export requirements, customs-clearance support, and permits for specialized materials.
Maintain shipping-supply readiness by monitoring inventory, forecasting demand, and coordinating replenishment to prevent service disruptions.
Serve as the escalation point for shipment issues, proactively resolving delays and communicating
Systems, Software and Equipment:
Use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to develop clear reports, metrics, presentations, and technical documentation that support operational decisions and team communication.
Serve as a technical lead and subject-matter resource for ERP, LIMS, and sample-management applications; promotes consistent system use, data integrity, and responsible handling of confidential information.
Own the readiness and proper care of sample-management, laboratory, temperature-controlled, and warehouse equipment and work areas; coordinates maintenance needs and supports the site equipment-management program.
Quality and Training:
Champion compliance with GxP requirements, departmental SOPs, quality standards, and documentation practices; verifies record accuracy, reinforces data integrity, and leads audit-readiness activities.
Own the creation and revision of departmental procedures and SOPs; establishes, implements, monitors, and continuously improves controls that support compliant and consistent execution.
Maintain required qualifications and promotes adherence to Employee Health and Safety requirements by modeling expectations and addressing gaps promptly.
Team Lead and Cross-departmental Collaboration:
Provide day-to-day team leadership by setting priorities, coordinating schedules and workload, removing barriers, answering technical questions, and supporting training, competency assessment, coaching, and development.Takes ownership of team execution with minimal direction, reallocating resources and adjusting coverage as needed to meet client commitments, quality standards, and turnaround expectations.
Lead cross-functional coordination with biology, chemistry, project management, laboratory, logistics, and other teams; clarifies ownership, aligns handoffs, and drives production, timeline, quality, and delivery objectives.
Provide timely, decision-ready communication on project status, sample-handling requirements, shipping activities, constraints, risks, and escalations to internal and external stakeholders.
Define, monitor, and analyze operational and quality metrics; identifies trends, assigns corrective actions, and leads continuous-improvement initiatives to achieve departmental goals and sustain SOP conformance.
The ideal candidate:
Associate degree with at least 4 years of relevant experience, or a B.A. or B.S. with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
Experience working in a contract research organization.
Experience working in a laboratory environment.
Experience with sample intake, registration and storage.
Experience with standard and complex sample handling, including solubilization, serial dilution, aliquoting, assay plating, and pipetting controls and standards.
Experience using Microsoft Office and AX applications and LIMS tools.
Lab equipment and office computer/software proficiency
Experience managing strategic projects and customer relationships.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to follow and provide direction, mentor others, and model quality and compliance expectations.
Ability to operate automated liquid handlers and writing scripts for automated liquid-handling workflows.
Experience troubleshooting laboratory processes and systems, resolving problems, and contributing to continuous-improvement projects.
Demonstrated ability to independently lead laboratory support operations with minimal supervision while effectively managing time and meeting quality metrics.

Employment type
Full-time

Work arrangement
No