Precision in Motion: Alexis Tucker at Mercury

Meet Our People – Alexis Tucker

Behind every successful healthcare shipment is someone who understands what's truly at stake. For Alexis Tucker, a Logistics Guide on Mercury's Foxtrot squad, that understanding runs deep. With a background in laboratory science, she knows that the frozen vials and temperature-controlled packages she coordinates aren't just shipments—they may represent years of research, or a patient's only option. In this edition of our Employee Spotlight series, Alexis shares what drew her from the lab to logistics, what it takes to manage time-sensitive and temperature-controlled shipments day after day, and why helping move science forward is the most rewarding part of her job.

Can you describe your role as a Logistics Guide on Mercury’s Foxtrot squad?

My main role as a logistics guide is to take the stress of the shipping world away from all of our clients. By helping ensure every shipment is taken care of from start to finish, I allow scientists and health care companies to focus on their vital projects to move the life science world forward!

What initially drew you to work in logistics, especially within the healthcare and biotech space?

Coming from a laboratory background, I know that the samples many companies are leaving in our hands have likely been years in the making. Logistics was an amazing way that I could support those scientists in their research and connect scientists across the globe. Putting minds at ease while also solving complex problems daily is what drew me to logistics.

What does a typical day look like when you’re managing time-sensitive and temperature-controlled shipments?

A typical day for me as a logistics guide, who works mostly with Specialty Cold Chain shipments, consists of constantly monitoring the transit and temperature of shipments across multiple companies. Ensuring each shipment makes it on the correct flight or drive while also ensuring that the next step takes place smoothly to allow more than enough time for that package to get to its destination. Plan, Monitor, Deliver, Repeat!

How do you prepare for shipments that require tight coordination and temperature monitoring from origin to destination?

For shipments that are particularly time sensitive and temperature sensitive, planning is the key, not only planning one perfect route to the destination, but additionally back up plans for each section of the shipment! Whether a shipment misses its first flight, or there is an airline error, ensuring there is a plan for even the worst situation allows our team to make the adjustments needed to ensure shipments remain as they need to be, at temperature and on time!

What part of the logistics process do you find most challenging, and how do you approach overcoming that challenge?

I often find the most challenging thing in logistics is how much knowledge you have to have as a logistics guide. From being able to correctly classify paperwork for a flight, to booking a driver who needs to pick up critical samples in 10 minutes. Every type of shipping and situation requires different steps and knowledge. The best why I’ve learned to over come this is to lean on your team! It’s impossible to remember everything, it is possible to talk to experts in those areas because they’re often right across the room!

Can you share an example of a shipment that required creative problem solving and how you navigated it?

I recently had a time sensitive shipment that our client was requesting be delivered across the country by the next day. While this is nothing out of the ordinary, coming in the next day to find that the shipment did not arrive at its destination airport as intended, was out of the ordinary. We quickly had to pivot. We immediately contacted the airline to find out what happened, only to find that they had lost a huge crate! While the airline tried to figure out what may have happened I realized that this shipment had a live GPS monitor inside of it. I was able to locate the exact location of the shipment (in the wrong airport due to airline error), communicate this to the airline, and get this shipment back on track with minimal delay!

How do you build trust with clients who are relying on you for critical deliveries?

I find that the best way to build trust requires two things; reliability and honesty. When someone is entrusting me with critical supplies or samples it’s imperative that I plan accordingly and ensure the delivery happens as they need it too. This reliability helps build trust not just with my name, but also in my team and with our company. That being said, not every shipment will go to plan, there will be delays, storms, flat tires, and a slew of other issues that may come up during a shipment. Making sure that our clients know exactly what is happening with their shipment builds a lasting relationship because they know that when they ask for an update, they are getting the truth.

What role does communication play in coordinating with internal teams, carriers, and clients during complex shipments?

As cliché as it may sound, communication is key! Getting a shipment from its origin to its destination requires emails, phone calls, and many conversations across different teams. Not only are these initial conversations important but making sure the correct details are being shared with the correct partners is also critical. From leaving proper hand off notes for our second and third shift teams, to making sure our partner in Germany has the correct paperwork to pick up a shipment at it’s destination airport, all of these smaller conversations lead to larger success!

What tools or systems help you stay organized and proactive in your work?

Working through our internal portal helps me tremendously. Whether a client is submitting a new request themselves, or I’m impersonating them to submit a request on their behalf. Working through the portal helps ensure I have all the necessary information I need to process their shipment in a timely manner. Aside from the portal, I organize my emails through internal linking! This allows, not just myself, but my team as well to have full access to every conversation I’m having across a shipment to allow for easy clarity. I try to live by the rule that someone should be able to walk into my shipment and easily understand what is happening so they know what the next steps are.

How does being part of the Foxtrot squad shape your day-to-day work and team dynamics?

I absolutely love being a part of Foxtrot squad. Our team has an internal repore that, I think, is unmatched. I always feel supported by the other people in my team and my squad lead. Getting to know them on a personal and professional level has helped us build a team that can handle any shipment or client. Feeling comfortable to ask questions, even ones that may seem redundant, is critical to ensure no shipment is missed! My team isn’t afraid to ask to get the job done right!

What’s the most rewarding part of helping healthcare and life sciences companies manage their logistics?

I would say the most rewarding part of healthcare and life science shipping is knowing that I’m helping move science forward. Each sample, or medical device I ship could very literally be saving a life. Even if it’s not in that moment it may be supporting research that can change lives in the future. Knowing I am able to make a direct impact on real lives is extremely rewarding.

What advice would you give someone just starting a career in specialized logistics or supply chain operations?

My advice would be, ask the question. No matter how big or how small, leaning on people with expertise will not only help you resolve issues faster but also help you learn! There is a ton of knowledge out there in the logistics world, you just have to ask the right questions, so don’t be afraid to!

Outside of work, what hobbies or activities help you recharge and stay grounded?

Outside of work I’m also a problem solver! Some of my favorite things to do are; DIY home projects to make my home more functional, scrapbooking, and playing video games! Having these hobbies helps me to still feel like I’m solving problems but in a way that is far less high stakes! I like to think of it as turning my brain on cruise control, so that way when Monday comes around I can kick it into high gear.

Join Our Team: Discover Career Opportunities at Mercury

Alexis's journey from the laboratory to logistics is a testament to the diverse backgrounds and perspectives that make Mercury's team exceptional. Whether your expertise lies in science, operations, technology, or client services, Mercury offers the opportunity to make a real impact in healthcare and life sciences—one shipment at a time. If you're ready to join a team that values curiosity, collaboration, and the drive to solve complex problems, we invite you to explore what Mercury has to offer. Check out available positions on our Careers page!