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Manager Lab Operations Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

This position reports to the QEHS Manager. Job dimensions: This position performs quality testing ... Daily Lab Operations (70 %)Perform analytical procedures proficiently and interpret the results.

This position reports to the QEHS Manager. Job dimensions: This position performs quality testing ... Daily Lab Operations (70 %)Perform analytical procedures proficiently and interpret the results.

Lab Technician I

Wheeling, IL · On-site

$19.75 - $26.25/hr

About the Role As a Laboratory Standards Technician, you'll be at the heart of our lab operations ... Studies and applies cGMP requirements Team and Project Management: * Collaborate with team members ...

Lab Technician I

Wheeling, IL · On-site

$19.75 - $26.25/hr

About the Role As a Laboratory Standards Technician, you'll be at the heart of our lab operations ... Studies and applies cGMP requirements Team and Project Management: * Collaborate with team members ...

Coffee Lab Student Barista

Naperville, IL · On-site

$15.25 - $17.50/hr

... Operations Manager Description of Job Duties • Provide barista service for events in conjunction with The Coffee Lab • Assist in the development of various signature drinks for The Coffee Lab • ...

This position reports to the QEHS Manager. Job dimensions: This position performs quality testing ... Daily Lab Operations (70 %)Perform analytical procedures proficiently and interpret the results.

Showing results 21-40

Manager Lab Operations information

See Illinois salary details

$30K

$61.5K

$114.8K

How much do manager lab operations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for manager lab operations in Illinois is $61,491.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39,700.00 and $75,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a manager lab operations?

A Manager Lab Operations is responsible for overseeing the daily activities and overall functioning of a laboratory. They ensure that lab processes run smoothly, manage staff, maintain safety standards, and handle budgeting and resource allocation. Their role often includes implementing policies, streamlining workflows, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Effective communication and leadership skills are essential in this role, as they coordinate with scientists, technicians, and administrative personnel.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a manager lab operations?

To thrive as a Manager Lab Operations, you need a solid background in laboratory science, operational management, and quality assurance, usually supported by a relevant science degree and experience in lab supervision. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), regulatory compliance standards (such as CLIA or CAP), and process improvement methodologies is crucial. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help foster team performance and ensure smooth lab operations. These competencies are vital for maintaining safety, regulatory compliance, and efficiency in high-stakes laboratory environments.

What are some common challenges faced by a manager lab operations, and how can they be addressed?

Managers of Lab Operations often face challenges such as balancing resource allocation, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining high-quality standards across multiple projects. Effective communication and collaboration with cross-functional teams, such as quality assurance, research staff, and safety officers, are vital for resolving issues quickly. Implementing robust process documentation and regular training sessions can help address these challenges and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the lab setting.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lab Operations jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Lab Operations jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Manager Lab Operations jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Manager Lab Operations job openings:

Infographic showing various Manager Lab Operations job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,491 per year, or $29.6 per hour.

Lab Operations Manager, Full-Time, Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare

Lake Forest, IL • On-site

$53.24/hr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 12 days ago


Northwestern Medicine rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 390 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

127th of 888 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Company Description
At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?
Job Description
The Manager, Operations - Labs reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and adheres to the organization's Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
The Manager collaborates with leadership to advance quality strategies, ensure a professional work environment, facilitate timeliness of services, and enhance patient satisfaction. The Manager is responsible for fiscal, human resource, and quality outcomes for their defined service area or unit. The Manager places the needs of the patient and other customers as a first priority and demonstrates the skills necessary to meet and exceed expectations. The Manager focuses others on a clearly defined, clearly communicated vision and engages individuals and groups to achieve that vision. The Manager identifies and develops organizational talent and embraces continuous learning of self and others.
Responsibilities:
  • Attracts, develops, and retains exceptional service providers and provides those individuals with an environment that fosters excellence through continuous learning:
    • Collaborates with Human Resources and other managers to ensure appropriate staffing
    • Advances innovative retention strategies for staff
    • Collaboratively manages the disciplinary process when appropriate
    • Facilitates the annual performance review process
    • Ensures application of staffing tools
    • Facilitates on-boarding of new staff
  • Manages people and resources in laboratory sites within hospitals and long-term care facilities to ensure safe and efficient patient care operations:
    • Assumes 24-hour accountability for quality of patient care, human resources, and overall function.
    • In conjunction with the Laboratory Medical Director and Laboratory Outreach Director, develops section-based goals to support hospital and outreach mission and objectives.
    • Ensures that staff exhibit Patients First standards.
    • Facilitates a multi-disciplinary and collaborative approach to patient care and interdepartmental problem solving/service delivery.
    • Develops and maintains relationships with all customers and suppliers.
    • Assures that service standards are developed, implemented and evaluated.
    • Creates an environment of high morale and motivated professionals.
    • Ensures that the environment is clean and attractive, safe, and free from hazards for patients, staff and visitors.
    • Assumes delegated management responsibilities in the absence of the Director.
    • Maintains productivity systems.
    • Facilitates planned growth in new program areas.
    • Participates and takes leadership roles in Hospital Committees as appropriate.
  • Establishes, implements, and monitors the unit or service area's capital and operating budget to achieve defined targets:
    • Creates annual operating budget and is accountable for monthly financial performance
    • Creates and implements new and replacement capital requests and departmental projects
    • Partners with leadership to advance improvement initiatives and opportunities
  • Leads the development and implementation of approaches to attain maximum quality and efficiency of service provision:
    • Supports continuous quality improvement initiatives during the Define, Measure, Analyze, Implement, Control (DMAIC) phase
    • Monitors and reports on departmental regulatory compliance
    • Monitors and reports upon departmental productivity (statistics) and works with the management team to strategize means to maximize output. Develops tools/metrics necessary to adequately assess departmental performance
    • Incorporates results of compliance audits in the improvement of services and enhancement of patient care consistent with hospital policy
  • Quality of Care and Service Management:
    • Develops and maintains a quality management system which allows for consistent evaluation and improvement of services and products in relation to physician and patient care requirements. Documents all significant activities and takes corrective action as necessary.
    • Attends Clinical Care Evaluation Committee (CCEC)
    • Designs and implements clinical protocols and quality improvements
    • Develops systems for improvement of the department's services provided in relation to physician and patient care requirements.
    • Ensures Quality Dashboards are achieved
    • Involved in patient care issue follow-up
    • Incorporates results of QM audits in the improvement of services and enhancement of patient care consistent with hospital policy.
  • Customer Focus:
    • Clearly identifies the internal and external customer(s) for their unit or service area and their respective requirements/expectations.
    • Actively seeks methods of concurrent and retrospective feedback from customers, listens to customer feedback and implements solutions and/or interventions as appropriate.
  • Creative Leadership:
    • Translates organizational vision into a unit or service area vision that engages staff in contributing to and achieving that vision.
  • Coaching and Development:
    • Provides daily, just-in-time feedback to improve performance and self-esteem of staff.
    • Tracks coaching discussions and actual performance of associates to ensure accountability.
    • Seeks ways to match staff members' talents and career interests with organizational opportunities.
  • Continuous Learning:
    • Continually examines ways to improve business relationships with customers, suppliers, community, etc.
    • Seeks and is open to new ideas from a wide range of sources; encourages others to share knowledge and best practices.
  • Additional Key Functions:
    • Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, local, AABB, FDA, TJC, CAP, CLIA, multi-disciplinary, hospital regulations, policies and procedures.
    • Participates in planning and maintenance of the laboratory information system (LIS).
    • Participates in the strategic planning/goal-setting for the department, including the implementation of new technologies and services.

Qualifications
Required:
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Demonstrates personal alignment with Northwestern Medicine's core values of integrity, excellence, patients first, and teamwork.
  • Demonstrates effective communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrates the ability to plan, organize, and direct the activities of others.

Preferred:
  • Master's degree
  • Certification in area of specialty or administration
  • Laboratory certification (ASCP)

Additional Information
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.

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