Manager - Sample Management Operations

Caris MPI, Inc.; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Caris MPI, Inc. in Phoenix seeks a Sample Management Operations Manager to lead end-to-end specimen lifecycle, oversee inventory, storage, retrieval, and chain of custody, and optimize LIMS usage for scalable operations.

You will build a high-performing team, partner with Laboratory Operations, Clinical Operations, and IT, ensure regulatory compliance (GCP, CLIA, CAP, FDA, HIPAA), and drive continuous improvement across quality, efficiency, and customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, Laboratory Science, Healthcare Administration, or a related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of five years of progressive relevant experience within a laboratory, pathology, clinical research, biorepository, or related scientific environment.
• Minimum of two years of managerial experience.
• Experience utilizing LIMS and/or Sample Management Systems to support specimen operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the Sample Management team with day-to-day leadership and professional development.
• Oversee the complete lifecycle management of remnant biological specimens including receipt, inventory, storage, retrieval, and disposition.
• Manage inventory, storage capacity, environmental monitoring, and logistics.
• Ensure data integrity within LIMS and optimize workflows and reporting.
• Lead quality assurance activities to ensure SOP, GCP, CLIA, CAP, FDA, and HIPAA compliance.
• Serve as operational SME to implement best practices and scalable processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to coordinate specimen management and deliver excellent customer service.
• Monitor performance metrics and drive continuous improvement.
• Support budgeting, staffing, and resource planning for sustainable operations.
• Communicate priorities and progress to leadership and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Team Development

Operational Excellence

Data Management

Cross-functional Leadership

Quality Assurance

Regulatory Compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or related

Equivalent education and relevant experience

Tools

LIMS

Sample Management System

Job description

At Caris, we understand that cancer is an ugly word—a word no one wants to hear, but one that connects us all. That’s why we’re not just transforming cancer care—we’re changing lives. We introduced precision medicine to the world and built an industry around the idea that every patient deserves answers as unique as their DNA. Backed by cutting‑edge molecular science and AI, we ask ourselves every day: “What would I do if this patient were my mom?” That question drives everything we do. But our mission doesn’t stop with cancer. We're pushing the frontiers of medicine and leading a revolution in healthcare—driven by innovation, compassion, and purpose. Join us in our mission to improve the human condition across multiple diseases. If you're passionate about meaningful work and want to be part of something bigger than yourself, Caris is where your impact begins.

Position Summary The Sample Management Operations Manager provides leadership, operational oversight, and technical expertise for the Sample Management function, ensuring the integrity, efficiency, scalability, and compliance of specimen management operations supporting laboratory, research, and organizational initiatives. This position serves as both a people leader and working manager, actively supporting day‑to‑day specimen management activities while leading the continued evolution of the Sample Management operation. The Manager is responsible for overseeing the complete lifecycle management of remnant biological specimens following diagnostic testing, including specimen receipt, inventory management, storage, retrieval, request fulfillment, de‑identification, distribution, disposition, and chain of custody. Leveraging previous experience in specimen management operations, this role identifies opportunities to strengthen workflows, optimize Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) utilization, implement industry best practices, and improve operational efficiency to support organizational growth. Working collaboratively with Laboratory Operations, Clinical Operations, Research, Quality, Information Technology, and other cross‑functional stakeholders, the Manager develops a high‑performing team, drives continuous improvement initiatives, and helps build a scalable, customer‑focused Sample Management operation while ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory and organizational requirements.

Job Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Development. Lead, coach, and develop the Sample Management team by providing day‑to‑day leadership, technical guidance, performance management, and professional development while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Sample Management Operations. Provide operational oversight of the complete lifecycle management of remnant biological specimens following diagnostic testing, including specimen receipt, inventory management, storage, retrieval, request fulfillment, transfer, distribution, de‑identification, and disposition. Serve as a working manager by supporting complex specimen management activities, resolving escalated operational issues, and ensuring specimen integrity and chain of custody throughout the specimen lifecycle.
• Inventory, Logistics & Resource Management. Oversee specimen inventory, storage capacity, environmental monitoring, logistics, retrieval, transfers, and distribution while ensuring inventory accuracy, efficient utilization of resources, and operational readiness to support current and future business needs.
• Data Management & Technology Optimization. Ensure the integrity of specimen data within Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and Sample Management Systems while driving optimization of workflows, reporting, inventory visibility, system utilization, and operational technologies to improve efficiency and scalability.
• Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance. Lead quality assurance activities by ensuring compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), CLIA, CAP, FDA, HIPAA, and other applicable regulatory requirements through documentation oversight, audits, inventory reconciliation, corrective actions, and continuous monitoring.
• Operational Excellence & Subject Matter Expertise. Serve as the operational subject matter expert for Sample Management by leveraging industry experience to implement best practices, improve workflows, standardize processes, optimize specimen utilization, and support the continued evolution and scalability of the Sample Management function.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership & Customer Service. Partner with Laboratory Operations, Clinical Operations, Research, Quality, Information Technology, Procurement, and other stakeholders to coordinate specimen management activities, resolve operational challenges, communicate specimen status, and deliver exceptional customer service while supporting organizational initiatives.
• Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement. Establish and monitor operational metrics, service levels, inventory trends, turnaround times, and quality indicators to evaluate departmental performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and drive operational excellence.
• Financial & Operational Planning. Support departmental budgeting, laboratory supply management, vendor relationships, staffing, workload forecasting, storage capacity planning, and resource allocation to ensure efficient and sustainable specimen management operations.
• Communication. Communicate effectively with leadership, team members, and cross‑functional stakeholders regarding operational priorities, specimen management activities, process improvements, and departmental performance while promoting transparency, collaboration, and engagement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, Laboratory Science, Healthcare Administration, or a related scientific discipline.
• Equivalent education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of five years of progressive relevant experience within a laboratory, pathology, clinical research, biorepository, or related scientific environment.
• Minimum of two years of managerial experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in specimen lifecycle management, including specimen inventory management, chain of custody, request fulfillment, de‑identification, specimen tracking, storage operations, and data management.
• Experience utilizing Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and/or Sample Management Systems to support specimen operations.