Head of Lab Procurement

Tempus AI; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Tempus AI in Chicago seeks an accomplished procurement leader to shape strategy for lab spend across multiple sites, driving cost savings and supplier performance. You will lead RFx processes, negotiate complex terms, and champion AI-driven tooling to automate tasks and enhance spend visibility.

The role requires extensive lab procurement experience, strong negotiation skills, and collaboration with finance and laboratory leaders to align budgets and strategic roadmaps.

Qualifications

• 8-10+ years in procurement with lab focus.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field or life sciences.
• Experience with ERPs and procurement platforms; AI tools a plus.
• Excellent negotiation and executive presence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies for lab spend.
• Lead RFx and high-value contract negotiations.
• Negotiate terms to meet SLAs and pricing goals.
• Champion AI-driven tools to automate tasks and improve spend visibility.
• Partner with finance to track savings and budget alignment.
• Coordinate cross-site procurement across multiple lab sites.

Skills

Procurement

Sourcing

Category Mgmt

Negotiation

Lab Equipment

NetSuite

Coupa

AI tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

NetSuite

Coupa

Job description

Passionate about precision medicine and advancing the healthcare industry?

Recent advancements in underlying technology have finally made it possible for AI to impact clinical care in a meaningful way. Tempus' proprietary platform connects an entire ecosystem of real-world evidence to deliver real-time, actionable insights to physicians, providing critical information about the right treatments for the right patients, at the right time.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Category Management
• Develop and execute comprehensive strategies for critical lab spend (e.g., sequencing equipment pacing, consumables, service contracts).
• Establish best practices for lab procurement, setting the standard for purchasing behaviors across lab managers and technicians across multiple sites, while also directly leading major RFx and/or negotiations for high-value contracts.
• Negotiate complex commercial terms to secure favorable pricing, mitigate supply chain risk, and ensure service level agreements (SLAs) meet business needs.
• Champion the integration of AI-driven tools to automate routine tasks, enhance spend visibility, and predict market trends.
• Stakeholder Partnership
• Act as a strategic advisor to functional leaders, understanding their roadmaps and budget constraints to align new possibilities in related external markets with internal business goals.
• Build trust and collaboration across lab sites to ensure procurement is viewed as an enabler rather than a blocker.
• Facilitate cross-functional teams for major sourcing initiatives (lab leaders, legal, finance).
• Financial Impact
• Define and achieve targets for cost savings and cost avoidance.
• Partner with Finance to track savings validation and ensure budget alignment.
• Drive total cost of ownership (TCO) reduction while maintaining quality and service levels.

Qualifications

• Experience: 8-10+ years of procurement experience with a focus on lab categories; prior experience in a procurement function for a high-growth tech or healthcare environment is strongly preferred.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or related field, including applicable life science fields.
• Tech Savvy: Familiarity with modern ERPs (e.g., NetSuite) and procurement platforms (e.g., Coupa, Zip). Experience implementing or utilizing AI tools in a professional setting is a plus.
• Soft Skills: Exceptional negotiation capabilities, executive presence, and the ability to influence without authority.

CHI: $130,000-$180,000

The expected salary range may vary for other locations. Actual salary may vary based on qualifications and experience. Tempus offers a full range of benefits, which may include incentive compensation, restricted stock units, medical and other benefits depending on the position.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.