Operations Associate, Life Sciences Sequencing

Tempus AI•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Operations Associate supports Tempus’ Life Sciences Sequencing Operations team by managing biotech and pharmaceutical customer account activities, tracking project metrics and performance, and preparing client-facing materials. The role coordinates with laboratory, report generation, order processing, finance, and customer success teams to move samples efficiently through the lab, identify risks and bottlenecks, and help projects meet timelines and budgets. The associate supports sample tracking, reporting, reconciliation, and documentation; resolves issues with LIMS sample entries, requisition forms, study documentation, and internal systems; and serves as a contact for clinical sites with questions about lab manuals, kits, and shipping. The position also prepares study documents, maintains Salesforce records, and contributes to improvements in products, resources, guidelines, and standard operating procedures.

Requirements

Strong proactive communication skills, organization, systematic work habits, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize competing tasks.
A self-starter who is energized by external stakeholder interaction and interested in long-term client management.
Creative and analytical problem-solving skills, including confidence asking questions about workflows and processes.
Collaborative attitude, commitment to team success, and ability to build strong relationships.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
Comfort with ambiguity and understanding complex process workflows.
Demonstrated interest in healthcare, especially the business side of science, through professional or extracurricular experience.
At least 2 years of prior work in industries related to life sciences, genomic sequencing, or oncology.

Nice To Haves

Relevant experience in management consulting, customer success, laboratory testing, account management, or another client-facing role.
Experience at a healthcare technology company is highly preferred.
A degree or relevant experience in cancer biology, molecular biology, immunology, bioengineering, computational biology, or a related field is highly preferred.
Advanced skills in Google Suite, Slack, and Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
Experience with Salesforce.com and/or Looker.

Responsibilities

Manage biotech and pharmaceutical customer account activities, collect project metrics, organize project performance, and prepare client-facing materials.
Coordinate with laboratory, report generation, order processing, finance, and customer success teams to support efficient sample flow and project delivery.
Proactively flag at-risk samples and address bottlenecks to help meet project timelines and budgets.
Review LIMS sample entries, resolve entry issues, and escalate recurring or thematic issues to the Manager.
Serve as the primary contact for clinical sites’ questions about lab manuals, kits, shipping logistics, and related topics.
Coordinate corrections to requisition forms and other study documentation, escalating recurring or thematic issues to the Manager.
Submit and resolve systems issues, including SFDC and LIMS tickets, and ensure timely follow-up.
Support day-to-day sample tracking and reporting while maintaining accurate, organized documentation across projects and portals.
Draft, format, and help prepare laboratory-associated study documents, such as lab manuals.
Collaborate with the Clinical Study Manager and Laboratory Data Manager on sample reconciliation, including querying sites for missing baseline samples.
Create and maintain Salesforce opportunities and preferences, and keep clinical trial site and sponsor account information current.
Contribute ideas and expertise to internal initiatives that improve product offerings and provide the team with effective resources, guidelines, and SOPs.